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Melinda Dillon

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Melinda Dillon

Melinda Ruth Dillon (October 13, 1939 – January 9, 2023) was an American actress. She was nominated for a 1963 Tony Award for her Broadway debut in the original production of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her roles in Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) and Absence of Malice (1981). She is well-known for her role as Mrs. Parker in the holiday classic A Christmas Story (1983). Her other film roles include Bound for Glory (1976), Slap Shot (1977), F.I.S.T. (1978), The Muppet Movie (1979), Harry and the Hendersons (1987), Captain America (1990), The Prince of Tides (1991), To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar (1995), How to Make an American Quilt (1995), Magnolia (1999), for which she was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award, and Reign Over Me (2007).

Infobox

Born
Melinda Ruth Clardy(1939-10-13)October 13, 1939Hope, Arkansas, U.S.
Died
January 9, 2023(2023-01-09) (aged 83)Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Alma mater
Art Institute of Chicago
Occupation
Actress
Years active
1959–2007
Known for
mw- Jillian Guiler in Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) Teresa Perrone in Absence of Malice (1981) Mrs. Parker in A Christmas Story (1983)
Spouse
mw- Richard Libertini (m. 1963; div. 1978)
Children
1

Tables

· Filmography › Film
1959
Role(s)
Faye
Notes
short film
1969
Role(s)
Leslie Hopkins
1976
Role(s)
Mary
Notes
Nominated—Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year – Actress
1977
Role(s)
Suzanne Hanrahan
Role(s)
Jillian Guiler
Notes
Nominated—Academy Award for Best Supporting ActressNominated—Saturn Award for Best Actress
1978
Role(s)
Anna Zarinkas
1979
Role(s)
Woman with Balloon
Notes
Uncredited
1981
Role(s)
Teresa Perrone
Notes
Kansas City Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting ActressNominated—Academy Award for Best Supporting ActressNominated—Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress
1983
Role(s)
Mother Parker
1984
Role(s)
Honey Carder
1987
Role(s)
Nancy Henderson
Notes
Nominated—Saturn Award for Best Actress
1988
Role(s)
Sharon Anderson
1989
Role(s)
Eileen McDermott
1990
Role(s)
Nina
Role(s)
Mrs. Rogers
1991
Role(s)
Savannah Wingo
1994
Role(s)
Leah Goldman
1996
1999
Role(s)
Rose Gator
Notes
Florida Film Critics Circle Award for Best CastNominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
2001
Role(s)
Rose Braxton
2004
Debating Robert Lee
Role(s)
Mrs. Lee
2005
Role(s)
Dottie
2007
Role(s)
Ginger Timpleman
Year
Title
Role
Notes
1959
The Cry of Jazz
Faye
short film
1969
The April Fools
Leslie Hopkins
1976
Bound for Glory
Mary
Nominated—Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year – Actress
1977
Slap Shot
Suzanne Hanrahan
1977
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Jillian Guiler
Nominated—Academy Award for Best Supporting ActressNominated—Saturn Award for Best Actress
1978
F.I.S.T.
Anna Zarinkas
1979
The Muppet Movie
Woman with Balloon
Uncredited
1981
Absence of Malice
Teresa Perrone
Kansas City Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting ActressNominated—Academy Award for Best Supporting ActressNominated—Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress
1983
A Christmas Story
Mother Parker
1984
Songwriter
Honey Carder
1987
Harry and the Hendersons
Nancy Henderson
Nominated—Saturn Award for Best Actress
1988
Shattered Innocence
Sharon Anderson
1989
Staying Together
Eileen McDermott
1990
Spontaneous Combustion
Nina
1990
Captain America
Mrs. Rogers
1991
The Prince of Tides
Savannah Wingo
1994
Sioux City
Leah Goldman
1995
To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar
Merna
1995
How to Make an American Quilt
Mrs. Darling
1996
Entertaining Angels: The Dorothy Day Story
Sister Aloysius
1999
Magnolia
Rose Gator
Florida Film Critics Circle Award for Best CastNominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
2001
Cowboy Up
Rose Braxton
2004
Debating Robert Lee
Mrs. Lee
2005
Adam & Steve
Dottie
2007
Reign Over Me
Ginger Timpleman
· Filmography › Television
1963
Role(s)
Jeannie Birch
Notes
Episode: "The Empty Heart"
1964
Role(s)
Stacey Barbella
Notes
Episode: "The Beatnik and the Policeman"
1969
Role(s)
Cissy Summers
Notes
Episode: "A Lawman's Lot Is Not a Happy One"
1970
Role(s)
Connie Swann
Notes
Episode: "He Lies Better Than I Tell the Truth"
1975
Role(s)
Daphne
Notes
Episode: "Harry and Daphne"
1976
Role(s)
Lily Henchard
Notes
Episode: "Lady"
Role(s)
Madam Arkadina
Notes
Television pilot
1977
Role(s)
Dora Herren
Notes
Television movie
1978
Role(s)
Kris Lassiter
Notes
Miniseries
1979
Role(s)
Anne Hurley
Notes
Television movie
Role(s)
Unknown
Notes
Episode: "Death Watch"
1980
Role(s)
Jeannie
Notes
Television movie
Role(s)
Agnes
Notes
Television movie
1981
Role(s)
Sherry Phillips
Notes
Television movie
Role(s)
Janet
Notes
Episode: "A Decision to Love"
Role(s)
Mysterious Woman
Notes
Episode: "Rendezvous"
1982
Role(s)
Susie
Notes
Episode: "The Fiddler"
The Juggler of Notre Dame
Role(s)
Dulcy
Notes
Television movie
1983
Role(s)
Unknown
Notes
Episode: "Cradle to Grave"
Role(s)
Ruda Dwyer
Notes
Television movie
1984
Role(s)
Woman
Notes
Episode: "The Game Room"
1985
Role(s)
Penny
Notes
Episode: "A Little Peace and Quiet"
Role(s)
Rachel Mott
Notes
Television movie
1986
Role(s)
Joyce Mollencamp
Notes
Television movie
1988
Role(s)
Sharon Anderson
Notes
Television movie
1989
Role(s)
Paula Brown
Notes
Television movie
1993
Role(s)
Elanor List
Notes
Television movie
1994
Role(s)
Betty Anderson
Notes
Television movieNominated—CableACE Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie
1995
Role(s)
Verna Caldwell
Notes
Episode: "The Peach Orchard"
Role(s)
Polly Judd
Notes
Television movie
1996
Role(s)
Mrs. Klausner
Notes
Episode: "Liver Let Die"
1997
Role(s)
Desiree
Notes
Episode: "Mothers"
2001
Role(s)
Violet Loomis
Notes
Episode: "Surprised by Gravity"
2003
Role(s)
Charlotte Barrington
Notes
Episode: "Pilot"
Role(s)
Gran Chandler
Notes
Television movie
2005
Role(s)
Jenny Rogers
Notes
Episode: "Blood"
2007
Role(s)
Janet Jacobs
Notes
3 episodes
Year
Title
Role
Notes
1963
The Defenders
Jeannie Birch
Episode: "The Empty Heart"
1964
East Side/West Side
Stacey Barbella
Episode: "The Beatnik and the Policeman"
1969
Bonanza
Cissy Summers
Episode: "A Lawman's Lot Is Not a Happy One"
1970
Storefront Lawyers aka Men at Law
Connie Swann
Episode: "He Lies Better Than I Tell the Truth"
1975
The Jeffersons
Daphne
Episode: "Harry and Daphne"
1976
Sara
Lily Henchard
Episode: "Lady"
1976
Freeman
Madam Arkadina
Television pilot
1977
Enigma
Dora Herren
Television movie
1978
The Critical List
Kris Lassiter
Miniseries
1979
Transplant
Anne Hurley
Television movie
1979
CHiPs
Unknown
Episode: "Death Watch"
1980
Marriage Is Alive and Well
Jeannie
Television movie
1980
The Shadow Box
Agnes
Television movie
1981
Fallen Angel
Sherry Phillips
Television movie
1981
Insight
Janet
Episode: "A Decision to Love"
1981
Insight
Mysterious Woman
Episode: "Rendezvous"
1982
Insight
Susie
Episode: "The Fiddler"
1982
The Juggler of Notre Dame
Dulcy
Television movie
1983
The Mississippi
Unknown
Episode: "Cradle to Grave"
1983
Right of Way
Ruda Dwyer
Television movie
1984
Insight
Woman
Episode: "The Game Room"
1985
The Twilight Zone
Penny
Episode: "A Little Peace and Quiet"
1985
Space
Rachel Mott
Television movie
1986
Shattered Spirits
Joyce Mollencamp
Television movie
1988
Shattered Innocence
Sharon Anderson
Television movie
1989
Nightbreaker
Paula Brown
Television movie
1993
Judgment Day: The John List Story
Elanor List
Television movie
1994
State of Emergency
Betty Anderson
Television movieNominated—CableACE Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie
1995
The Client
Verna Caldwell
Episode: "The Peach Orchard"
1995
Naomi & Wynonna: Love Can Build a Bridge
Polly Judd
Television movie
1996
Picket Fences
Mrs. Klausner
Episode: "Liver Let Die"
1997
Tracey Takes On...
Desiree
Episode: "Mothers"
2001
Judging Amy
Violet Loomis
Episode: "Surprised by Gravity"
2003
The Lyon's Den
Charlotte Barrington
Episode: "Pilot"
2003
A Painted House
Gran Chandler
Television movie
2005
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Jenny Rogers
Episode: "Blood"
2007
Heartland
Janet Jacobs
3 episodes

References

  1. As Dillon explained in a 1962 interview, Hope was not her hometown, nor had her parents ever resided there. It was only
  2. Thomas, Mike (2012). The Second City Unscripted: Revolution and Revelation at the World-Famous Comedy Theater. Evanston,
    https://archive.org/details/secondcityunscri0000thom_j8d4/page/254/mode/2up?q=%22melinda+dillon%22
  3. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/05/obituaries/melinda-dillon-dead.html
  4. New York Daily News
    https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97826888/daily-news/
  5. Schneider, Alan (1986). Entrances : An American Director's Journey. New York, NY: Viking p. 292–293. ISBN 0670806080.
    https://archive.org/details/entrancesamerica0000schn/page/292/mode/2up?q=%22what+distinguished%22
  6. Stevenson, Isabelle (1987). The Tony Award : A Complete Listing, With a History of the American Theatre Wing. New York:
    https://archive.org/details/tonyawardcomple00stev/page/76/mode/2up?q=%22melinda+dillon%22+%22Best+Performance+by+a+Featured+Actress+in+a+Play%22
  7. Deadline Hollywood
    https://deadline.com/2023/02/melinda-dillon-dead-close-encounters-a-christmas-story-absence-of-malice-actress-1235249273/
  8. "New Film". The Negro History Bulletin. p. 59. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
    https://archive.org/details/sim_black-history-bulletin_1958-12_22_3_0/page/58/mode/2up?q=%22cry+of+jazz%22+%22linda+dillon%22
  9. "1977 Golden Globe Nominations Listed". Los Angeles Times. Part 4, p. 14. Retrieved March 19, 2022.
    https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97939862/the-los-angeles-times/
  10. Deadline Hollywood
    https://deadline.com/2023/02/steven-spielberg-salutes-late-melinda-dillon-praises-her-generosity-of-spirit-1235249643/
  11. A Christmas Story
    https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/11/how-a-christmas-story-became-an-american-tradition
  12. The New York Times
    https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/21/movies/a-christmas-story-mom.html
  13. Deadline Hollywood
    https://deadline.com/2022/01/a-christmas-story-sequel-legendary-and-warner-bros-peter-billingsley-ralphie-1234916613/
  14. Deadline Hollywood
    https://deadline.com/2022/02/erinn-hayes-river-drosche-julianna-layne-a-christmas-story-sequel-julie-hagerty-1234956767/
  15. A Christmas Story
    https://www.ew.com/movies/peter-billingsley-ralphie-christmas-story-christmas-interview
  16. Screen Rant
    https://www.screenrant.com/christmas-story-2022-sequel-mrs-parker-melinda-dillon-recast/
  17. Stevens, Tracy (2001). International Television & Video Almanac. New York: Quigley Publishing. p. 137. ISBN 0-900610-68-
    https://archive.org/details/internationalte200146stev/page/136/mode/2up?q=%22melinda+dillon+melinda%22+hendersons+%22sioux+city%22+%22prince+of+tides%22+%22american+quilt%22
  18. Ocala Star-Banner
    https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8qNEAAAAIBAJ&sjid=eAYEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2615%2C2865457
  19. The Hollywood Reporter
    https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/melinda-dillon-dead-close-encounters-christmas-story-1235317335/
  20. "'A Christmas Story' Cast: Where Are They Now?"
    http://www.biography.com/news/a-christmas-story-cast-where-are-they-now-21066435
  21. People
    http://people.com/archive/close-encounters-says-we-are-not-alone-but-melinda-dillon-often-has-been-during-a-traumatic-life-vol-9-no-24/
  22. CNN
    https://www.cnn.com/2023/02/04/entertainment/actress-melinda-dillon-obit-christmas-story-trnd?cid=android_app
  23. Neptune Society
    https://www.neptunesociety.com/obituaries/san-pedro-ca/melinda-dillon-11110599
  24. "TV Key: Best Bets". Wisconsin State Journal. September 23, 1970. p. 47. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
    https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97881950/wisconsin-state-journal/
  25. Bok (June 23, 1976). "Television Reviews: 'Freeman'". Variety. p. 46. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
    https://www.proquest.com/docview/1401289846/C3CC434E836F4145PQ/23
  26. "Comic Sparks on 'Freeman'". Kenosha News. p. 37. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
    https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97904155/kenosha-news/
  27. Clarey, Kathey (April 11, 1978). "Tonight's Best: Critical List". Argus-Leader. p. 13. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
    https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97988316/the-fresno-bee/
  28. Clarey, Kathey (April 17, 1979). "Please Stand By". The Fresno Bee. p. 18. Retrieved March 20, 2022.
    https://www.newspapers.com/clip/97988316/the-fresno-bee/
  29. Williams, Gail (January 25, 1980). "Marriage Is Alive and Well". The Hollywood Reporter. p. 6. "Under Russ Mayberry's di
    https://www.proquest.com/docview/2598140278/CE8C721B036E4FF0PQ/29
  30. Warner Brothers. "Marriage Is Alive and Well (TV Movie) Feature Clip". YouTube.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZFVYJhydQ0
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