Portrait of Melinda Dillon

Melinda Dillon

Bio: 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
Born: Fri, Oct 13 1939
Birthplace: Hope, Arkansas, USA

Death: Mon, Jan 09 2023
Melinda Dillon is 83 years old
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Acting Roles
Crew Roles

Movies (Acting Roles)

Sorted by Release Date
Poster of Hal
Hal
Melinda Dillon was 79 in Hal as 'Self (archive footage)'.
Movie Released: Thu, Mar 28 2019
Poster of Reign Over Me
Reign Over Me
Melinda Dillon was 67 in Reign Over Me as 'Ginger Timpleman'.
Movie Released: Thu, Mar 22 2007
Poster of Adam & Steve
Adam & Steve
Melinda Dillon was 65 in Adam & Steve as 'Dottie'.
Movie Released: Sun, Apr 24 2005
Poster of Debating Robert Lee
Debating Robert Lee
Melinda Dillon was 64 in Debating Robert Lee as 'Mrs. Lee'.
Movie Released: Fri, Sep 17 2004
Poster of A Painted House
A Painted House
Melinda Dillon was 63 in A Painted House as 'Gran Chandler'.
Movie Released: Sun, Apr 27 2003
Poster of Cowboy Up
Cowboy Up
Melinda Dillon was 62 in Cowboy Up as 'Rose Braxton'.
Movie Released: Tue, Sep 03 2002
Poster of The Making of 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind'
The Making of 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind'
Melinda Dillon was 61 in The Making of 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' as 'Self'.
Movie Released: Tue, May 08 2001
Poster of Magnolia
Magnolia
Melinda Dillon was 60 in Magnolia as 'Rose Gator'.
Movie Released: Fri, Dec 17 1999
Poster of The Effects of Magic
The Effects of Magic
Melinda Dillon was 58 in The Effects of Magic as 'Mom'.
Movie Released: Mon, Sep 28 1998
Poster of Christmas Unwrapped: The History of Christmas
Christmas Unwrapped: The History of Christmas
Melinda Dillon was 58 in Christmas Unwrapped: The History of Christmas as 'Mrs. Parker (archive footage)'.
Movie Released: Mon, Dec 01 1997
Poster of Entertaining Angels: The Dorothy Day Story
Entertaining Angels: The Dorothy Day Story
Melinda Dillon was 56 in Entertaining Angels: The Dorothy Day Story as 'Sister Aloysius'.
Movie Released: Fri, Sep 27 1996
Poster of How to Make an American Quilt
How to Make an American Quilt
Melinda Dillon was 55 in How to Make an American Quilt as 'Mrs. Darling'.
Movie Released: Fri, Oct 06 1995
Poster of To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar
To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar
Melinda Dillon was 55 in To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar as 'Merna'.
Movie Released: Thu, Sep 07 1995
Poster of Naomi & Wynonna: Love Can Build a Bridge
Naomi & Wynonna: Love Can Build a Bridge
Melinda Dillon was 55 in Naomi & Wynonna: Love Can Build a Bridge as 'Polly Judd'.
Movie Released: Sun, May 14 1995
Poster of Sioux City
Sioux City
Melinda Dillon was 54 in Sioux City as 'Leah Goldman'.
Movie Released: Fri, Apr 01 1994
Poster of State of Emergency
State of Emergency
Melinda Dillon was 54 in State of Emergency as 'Betty Anderson'.
Movie Released: Mon, Feb 21 1994
Poster of Confessions: Two Faces of Evil
Confessions: Two Faces of Evil
Melinda Dillon was 54 in Confessions: Two Faces of Evil as 'Carol Mothershed'.
Movie Released: Mon, Jan 17 1994
Poster of Judgment Day: The John List Story
Judgment Day: The John List Story
Melinda Dillon was 53 in Judgment Day: The John List Story as 'Eleanor'.
Movie Released: Tue, Feb 23 1993
Poster of The Prince of Tides
The Prince of Tides
Melinda Dillon was 52 in The Prince of Tides as 'Savannah Wingo'.
Movie Released: Wed, Dec 25 1991
Poster of Captain America
Captain America
Melinda Dillon was 51 in Captain America as 'Mrs. Rogers'.
Movie Released: Fri, Dec 14 1990
Poster of Spontaneous Combustion
Spontaneous Combustion
Melinda Dillon was 50 in Spontaneous Combustion as 'Nina'.
Movie Released: Fri, Feb 23 1990
Poster of Staying Together
Staying Together
Melinda Dillon was 50 in Staying Together as 'Eileen McDermott'.
Movie Released: Fri, Nov 10 1989
Poster of Nightbreaker
Nightbreaker
Melinda Dillon was 49 in Nightbreaker as 'Paula Brown'.
Movie Released: Wed, Mar 08 1989
Poster of Shattered Innocence
Shattered Innocence
Melinda Dillon was 48 in Shattered Innocence as 'Sharon Anderson'.
Movie Released: Wed, Mar 09 1988
Poster of Harry and the Hendersons
Harry and the Hendersons
Melinda Dillon was 47 in Harry and the Hendersons as 'Nancy Henderson'.
Movie Released: Fri, Jun 05 1987
Poster of Shattered Spirits
Shattered Spirits
Melinda Dillon was 46 in Shattered Spirits as 'Joyce Mollencamp'.
Movie Released: Mon, Jan 06 1986
Poster of Songwriter
Songwriter
Melinda Dillon was 45 in Songwriter as 'Honey Carder'.
Movie Released: Sun, Oct 14 1984
Poster of Right of Way
Right of Way
Melinda Dillon was 44 in Right of Way as 'Ruda Dwyer'.
Movie Released: Mon, Nov 21 1983
Poster of A Christmas Story
A Christmas Story
Melinda Dillon was 44 in A Christmas Story as 'Mother'.
Movie Released: Fri, Nov 18 1983
Poster of Absence of Malice
Absence of Malice
Melinda Dillon was 42 in Absence of Malice as 'Teresa Perrone'.
Movie Released: Thu, Nov 19 1981
Poster of Hellinger's Law
Hellinger's Law
Melinda Dillon was 41 in Hellinger's Law as 'Anne Gronouski'.
Movie Released: Tue, Mar 10 1981
Poster of Fallen Angel
Fallen Angel
Melinda Dillon was 41 in Fallen Angel as 'Sherry Phillips'.
Movie Released: Tue, Feb 24 1981
Poster of The Shadow Box
The Shadow Box
Melinda Dillon was 40 in The Shadow Box as 'Agnes'.
Movie Released: Tue, Sep 30 1980
Poster of Marriage Is Alive and Well
Marriage Is Alive and Well
Melinda Dillon was 40 in Marriage Is Alive and Well as 'Jeannie'.
Movie Released: Fri, Jan 25 1980
Poster of The Muppet Movie
The Muppet Movie
Melinda Dillon was 39 in The Muppet Movie as 'Woman with Balloon'.
Movie Released: Fri, Jun 22 1979
Poster of F.I.S.T.
F.I.S.T.
Melinda Dillon was 38 in F.I.S.T. as 'Anna Zarinkas'.
Movie Released: Wed, Apr 26 1978
Poster of Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Melinda Dillon was 38 in Close Encounters of the Third Kind as 'Jillian Guiler'.
Movie Released: Wed, Dec 14 1977
Poster of Slap Shot
Slap Shot
Melinda Dillon was 37 in Slap Shot as 'Suzanne Hanrahan'.
Movie Released: Fri, Feb 25 1977
Poster of Bound for Glory
Bound for Glory
Melinda Dillon was 37 in Bound for Glory as 'Mary / Memphis Sue'.
Movie Released: Sun, Dec 05 1976
Poster of The April Fools
The April Fools
Melinda Dillon was 29 in The April Fools as 'Leslie Hopkins'.
Movie Released: Wed, May 28 1969
Poster of The Cry of Jazz
The Cry of Jazz
Melinda Dillon was 19 in The Cry of Jazz as 'Faye'.
Movie Released: Sun, Mar 22 1959

TV Shows (Acting Roles)

Sorted by Release Date
Ages in TV shows are based off the first air date and may not be accurate. View individual episode details for accurate ages
Poster of Heartland
Heartland
Melinda Dillon was 67+ in Heartland
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Mon, Jun 18 2007
Poster of The Lyon's Den
The Lyon's Den
Melinda Dillon was 63+ in The Lyon's Den
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, Sep 28 2003
Poster of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Melinda Dillon was 59+ in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit as 'Jenny Rogers'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Mon, Sep 20 1999
Poster of Judging Amy
Judging Amy
Melinda Dillon was 59+ in Judging Amy as 'Violet Loomis'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, Sep 19 1999
Poster of The Twilight Zone
The Twilight Zone
Melinda Dillon was 45+ in The Twilight Zone
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Fri, Sep 27 1985
Poster of Space
Space
Melinda Dillon was 45+ in Space as 'Rachel Mott'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sun, Apr 14 1985
Poster of The Critical List
The Critical List
Melinda Dillon was 38+ in The Critical List as 'Dr. Kris Lassiter'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Mon, Sep 11 1978
Poster of CHiPs
CHiPs
Melinda Dillon was 37+ in CHiPs
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Thu, Sep 15 1977
Poster of The Jeffersons
The Jeffersons
Melinda Dillon was 35+ in The Jeffersons
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sat, Jan 18 1975
Poster of The Defenders
The Defenders
Melinda Dillon was 21+ in The Defenders as 'Jeannie Birch'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sat, Sep 16 1961
Poster of Bonanza
Bonanza
Melinda Dillon was 19+ in Bonanza as 'Cissy Summers'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Sat, Sep 12 1959
Poster of Hallmark Hall of Fame
Hallmark Hall of Fame
Melinda Dillon was 12+ in Hallmark Hall of Fame as 'Gran Chandler'.
TV Show Released: First Air Date
Mon, Dec 24 1951