Melinda Dillon
Acting
55
Acting 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.
Known For
Filmography
Hal
2019
as Self (archive footage)
Reign Over Me
2007
as Ginger Timpleman
Heartland
2007
as Janet Jacobs
Adam & Steve
2005
as Dottie
Debating Robert Lee
2004
as Mrs. Lee
A Painted House
2003
as Gran Chandler
The Lyon's Den
2003
Cowboy Up
2002
as Rose Braxton
The Making of 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind'
2001
as Self
Magnolia
1999
as Rose Gator
Judging Amy
1999
as Violet Loomis
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
1999
as Jenny Rogers
The Effects of Magic
1998
as Mom
Christmas Unwrapped: The History of Christmas
1997
as Mrs. Parker (archive footage)
Entertaining Angels: The Dorothy Day Story
1996
as Sister Aloysius
How to Make an American Quilt
1995
as Mrs. Darling
Naomi & Wynonna: Love Can Build a Bridge
1995
as Polly Judd
To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar
1995
as Merna
Confessions: Two Faces of Evil
1994
as Carol Mothershed
State of Emergency
1994
as Betty Anderson
Sioux City
1994
as Leah Goldman
Judgment Day: The John List Story
1993
as Eleanor
Picket Fences
1992
as Mrs. Klausner
The Prince of Tides
1991
as Savannah Wingo
Captain America
1990
as Mrs. Rogers
Staying Together
1989
as Eileen McDermott
Nightbreaker
1989
as Paula Brown
Spontaneous Combustion
1989
as Nina
Shattered Innocence
1988
as Sharon Anderson
Harry and the Hendersons
1987
as Nancy Henderson
Shattered Spirits
1986
as Joyce Mollencamp
The Twilight Zone
1985
as (segment "A Little Peace and Quiet")
Space
1985
as Rachel Mott
Songwriter
1984
as Honey Carder
A Christmas Story
1983
as Mother
Right of Way
1983
as Ruda Dwyer
Absence of Malice
1981
as Teresa Perrone
Fallen Angel
1981
as Sherry Phillips
Hellinger's Law
1981
as Anne Gronouski
The Shadow Box
1980
as Agnes
Marriage Is Alive and Well
1980
as Jeannie
The Muppet Movie
1979
as Woman with Balloon
F.I.S.T.
1978
as Anna Zarinkas
The Critical List
1978
as Dr. Kris Lassiter
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
1977
as Jillian Guiler
Slap Shot
1977
as Suzanne Hanrahan
Enigma
1977
as Dora Herren
CHiPs
1977
Bound for Glory
1976
as Mary / Memphis Sue
The Jeffersons
1975
The April Fools
1969
as Leslie Hopkins
The Defenders
1961
as Jeannie Birch
The Cry of Jazz
1959
as Faye
Bonanza
1959
as Cissy Summers
Hallmark Hall of Fame
1951
as Gran Chandler