Melinda Dillon

Acting • 54 Credits

Biography

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.

🎭 Acting Roles (30)

Ranked by Prestige & Popularity
Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Close Encounters of the Third Kind

1977 ⭐ 3.7
as Jillian Guiler
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

1999 ⭐ 4.0
as Jenny Rogers
Magnolia

Magnolia

1999 ⭐ 3.9
as Rose Gator
A Christmas Story

A Christmas Story

1983 ⭐ 3.6
as Mother
Reign Over Me

Reign Over Me

2007 ⭐ 3.6
as Ginger Timpleman
To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar

To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar

1995 ⭐ 3.7
as Merna
Harry and the Hendersons

Harry and the Hendersons

1987 ⭐ 3.1
as Nancy Henderson
The Muppet Movie

The Muppet Movie

1979 ⭐ 3.6
as Woman with Balloon
Bonanza

Bonanza

1959 ⭐ 3.8
as Cissy Summers
Captain America

Captain America

1990 ⭐ 2.3
as Mrs. Rogers
Slap Shot

Slap Shot

1977 ⭐ 3.4
as Suzanne Hanrahan
The Prince of Tides

The Prince of Tides

1991 ⭐ 3.3
as Savannah Wingo
The Twilight Zone

The Twilight Zone

1985 ⭐ 3.8
as (segment "A Little Peace and Quiet")
Absence of Malice

Absence of Malice

1981 ⭐ 3.3
as Teresa Perrone
F.I.S.T.

F.I.S.T.

1978 ⭐ 3.3
as Anna Zarinkas
How to Make an American Quilt

How to Make an American Quilt

1995 ⭐ 3.2
as Mrs. Darling
CHiPs

CHiPs

1977 ⭐ 3.4
The Jeffersons

The Jeffersons

1975 ⭐ 3.6
Spontaneous Combustion

Spontaneous Combustion

1989 ⭐ 2.4
as Nina
Bound for Glory

Bound for Glory

1976 ⭐ 3.5
as Mary / Memphis Sue
Judging Amy

Judging Amy

1999 ⭐ 3.8
as Violet Loomis
Picket Fences

Picket Fences

1992 ⭐ 3.7
as Mrs. Klausner
Adam & Steve

Adam & Steve

2005 ⭐ 2.7
as Dottie
The April Fools

The April Fools

1969 ⭐ 3.0
as Leslie Hopkins
A Painted House

A Painted House

2003 ⭐ 3.5
as Gran Chandler
Cowboy Up

Cowboy Up

2002 ⭐ 3.0
as Rose Braxton
Songwriter

Songwriter

1984 ⭐ 2.8
as Honey Carder
Fallen Angel

Fallen Angel

1981 ⭐ 3.3
as Sherry Phillips
Hal

Hal

2019 ⭐ 3.3
as Self (archive footage)
The Cry of Jazz

The Cry of Jazz

1959 ⭐ 3.1
as Faye