ACTOR
Melinda Dillon
Known for Law & Order: Special Victims Unit · Bonanza · Judging Amy
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.
Snapshot 2026-10-15
- Born
- Oct 13, 1939
- Died
- Jan 9, 2023
- Birthplace
- Hope, Arkansas, USA
- Known For
- Acting
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.
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Known For
Filmography
Movies
The Cry of JazzFaye
1959
The April FoolsLeslie Hopkins
1969
Bound for GloryMary / Memphis Sue
1976
Close Encounters of the Third KindJillian Guiler
1977
EnigmaDora Herren
1977
Slap ShotSuzanne Hanrahan
1977
F.I.S.T.Anna Zarinkas
1978
The Muppet MovieWoman with Balloon
1979
Marriage Is Alive and WellJeannie
1980
The Shadow BoxAgnes
1980
Absence of MaliceTeresa Perrone
1981
Fallen AngelSherry Phillips
1981
Hellinger's LawAnne Gronouski
1981
A Christmas StoryMother
1983
Right of WayRuda Dwyer
1983
SongwriterHoney Carder
1984
Shattered SpiritsJoyce Mollencamp
1986
Harry and the HendersonsNancy Henderson
1987
Shattered InnocenceSharon Anderson
1988
NightbreakerPaula Brown
1989
Spontaneous CombustionNina
1989
Staying TogetherEileen McDermott
1989
Captain AmericaMrs. Rogers
1990
The Prince of TidesSavannah Wingo
1991
Judgment Day: The John List StoryEleanor
1993
Confessions: Two Faces of EvilCarol Mothershed
1994
Sioux CityLeah Goldman
1994
State of EmergencyBetty Anderson
1994
How to Make an American QuiltMrs. Darling
1995
Naomi & Wynonna: Love Can Build a BridgePolly Judd
1995
To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie NewmarMerna
1995
Entertaining Angels: The Dorothy Day StorySister Aloysius
1996
Christmas Unwrapped: The History of ChristmasMrs. Parker (archive footage)
1997
The Effects of MagicMom
1998
MagnoliaRose Gator
1999
The Making of 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind'Self
2001
Cowboy UpRose Braxton
2002
A Painted HouseGran Chandler
2003
Debating Robert LeeMrs. Lee
2004
Adam & SteveDottie
2005
Reign Over MeGinger Timpleman
2007
HalSelf (archive footage)
2019Television
Hallmark Hall of FameGran Chandler · 1 eps
1951
BonanzaCissy Summers · 1 eps
1959
The DefendersJeannie Birch · 1 eps
1961
The Jeffersons1 eps
1975
CHiPs1 eps
1977
The Critical ListDr. Kris Lassiter · 2 eps
1978
SpaceRachel Mott · 5 eps
1985
The Twilight Zone(segment "A Little Peace and Quiet") · 1 eps
1985
Picket FencesMrs. Klausner · 1 eps
1992
Judging AmyViolet Loomis · 1 eps
1999
Law & Order: Special Victims UnitJenny Rogers · 1 eps
1999
The Lyon's Den1 eps
2003
HeartlandJanet Jacobs · 3 eps
2007Photos
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