Melinda Dillon

Acting · 1939–2023 · Hope, Arkansas, USA

Melinda Rose Dillon (October 13, 1939 - January 9, 2023) was a twice Oscar nominated American actress. She was best known for her roles in Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Absence of Malice and the holiday classic A Christmas Story.

Known for

7.2

A Christmas Story

1983 · Mother

7.4

Close Encounters of the Third Kind

1977 · Jillian Guiler

6.1

Harry and the Hendersons

1987 · Nancy Henderson

6.6

The Prince of Tides

1991 · Savannah Wingo

7.7

Magnolia

1999 · Rose Gator

6.9

Bound for Glory

1976 · Mary / Memphis Sue

6.6

Absence of Malice

1981 · Teresa Perrone

6.5

F.I.S.T.

1978 · Anna Zarinkas

8.0

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

1999 · Series · Jenny Rogers

7.2

Reign Over Me

2007 · Ginger Timpleman

7.5

To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar

1995 · Merna

4.7

Spontaneous Combustion

1989 · Nina

All acting credits53

6.5

Heartland

2007 · Series · Janet Jacobs

7.2

Reign Over Me

2007 · Ginger Timpleman

5.5

Adam & Steve

2005 · Dottie

6.5

Debating Robert Lee

2004 · Mrs. Lee

8.8

The Lyon's Den

2003 · Series

7.1

A Painted House

2003 · Gran Chandler

5.9

Cowboy Up

2002 · Rose Braxton

8.0

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

1999 · Series · Jenny Rogers

7.5

Judging Amy

1999 · Series · Violet Loomis

7.7

Magnolia

1999 · Rose Gator

4.5

The Effects of Magic

1998 · Mom

5.8

Christmas Unwrapped: The History of Christmas

1997 · Mrs. Parker (archive footage)

5.4

Entertaining Angels: The Dorothy Day Story

1996 · Sister Aloysius

7.5

To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar

1995 · Merna

6.4

How to Make an American Quilt

1995 · Mrs. Darling

6.7

Naomi & Wynonna: Love Can Build a Bridge

1995 · Polly Judd

5.4

Confessions: Two Faces of Evil

1994 · Carol Mothershed

5.7

State of Emergency

1994 · Betty Anderson