Person

Melinda Dillon

Acting · 1939–2023 · Hope, Arkansas, USA

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.

• 

  Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

  Jenny Rogers

• 

  Bonanza

  Cissy Summers

• 

  Judging Amy

  Violet Loomis

• 

  The Twilight Zone

  (segment "A Little Peace and Quiet")

• 

  The Defenders

  Jeannie Birch

• 

  The Jeffersons

  1975

• 

  Picket Fences

  Mrs. Klausner

• 

  CHiPs

  1977

• 

  Close Encounters of the Third Kind

  Jillian Guiler

• 

  Magnolia

  Rose Gator

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