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Melinda Dillon Biography

(Best Known for Her Roles in the Films: ‘A Christmas Story’ and ‘Absence of Malice’)

Birthday: October 13, 1939 (Libra)

Born In: Hope, Arkansas, United States

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Melinda Dillon was an American actress who first earned recognition for appearing in the Broadway production of ‘Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?’ for which she earned a Tony Award nomination. She achieved further success with her supporting roles in the films ‘Absence of Malice’ and ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind’. Her performances in both the movies garnered her Academy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actress. Thereafter, Dillon consistently worked on the big screen and made frequent appearances in television programs as well. She retired from acting in 2007 after making appearances in three episodes of the medical drama series ‘Heartland’. Born in Hope, Arkansas, USA, to an army offer, Dillon graduated from Hyde Park High School before landing her career on the stage and eventually in films. In 1963, she married actor Richard Libertini. The two had a son before parting ways in 1978.

Birthday: October 13, 1939 (Libra)

Born In: Hope, Arkansas, United States

9
Actresses #1306
Film & Theater Personalities #3060
Actresses #1306
Film & Theater Personalities #3060
9

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Quick Facts

Also Known As: Melinda Ruth Clardy

Died At Age: 83

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Richard Libertini (m. 1963 - div. 1978)

father: W.S. Dillon

mother: E. Norine Dillon

children: Richard Libertini Jr.

Born Country: United States

Actresses American Women

Height: 5'8" (173 cm), 5'8" Females

Died on: January 9, 2023

place of death: Los Angeles, California, U.S.

Notable Alumni: Art Institute Of Chicago, Hyde Park High School, Goodman School Of Drama

U.S. State: Arkansas

More Facts

education: DePaul University, Art Institute Of Chicago, Hyde Park High School, Goodman School of Drama

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You wanted to know

  • 1

    What movies did Melinda Dillon star in?

    Melinda Dillon starred in movies such as "Close Encounters of the Third Kind," "A Christmas Story," and "Harry and the Hendersons."
  • 2

    Is Melinda Dillon still acting?

    As of the latest available information, Melinda Dillon has not been actively involved in acting projects in recent years.
  • 3

    Did Melinda Dillon win any major acting awards?

    Melinda Dillon received critical acclaim for her performances in various films, but she did not win any major acting awards such as Oscars or Golden Globes.
  • 4

    What is Melinda Dillon's most memorable role?

    Many fans consider Melinda Dillon's role as the mother in "A Christmas Story" to be one of her most memorable and iconic performances in her career.
  • 5

    Was Melinda Dillon involved in any notable TV shows?

    Melinda Dillon made guest appearances on popular TV shows such as "Law & Order" and "Heartland," showcasing her versatility as an actress beyond the big screen.

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Career
Melinda Dillon got her start as a stage actress in 1962 when she appeared in the Broadway play ‘Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?’ and earned a Tony Award nomination for her performance. This was followed by her roles in the plays ‘Paul Sill's Story Theatre’ and ‘You Know I Can't Hear You When the Water's Running’. She made her film debut with a role in the 1969 romantic comedy ‘The April Fools’ which also featured Catherine Deneuve and Jack Lemmon.
The next decade saw her breakthrough performance in ‘Bound for Glory,’ a 1976 biographical film which earned her a Golden Globe Award nomination. The following year, Dillon garnered further success when she played Jillian Guiler in the sci-fi ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind’ and received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. That year, she also did the film ‘Slap Shot’. This was followed by her role in the drama film ‘F.I.S.T.’ which was loosely based The International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) and their former President Jimmy Hoffa.
In the year 1981, the actress earned another Academy Award nomination for her performance in the drama film ‘Absence of Malice’. Soon after this, she made guest appearances in the drama series ‘Insight’. She next starred as Mother Parker in the Christmas comedy flick ‘A Christmas Story’. In the ensuing years, Dillon featured in many television films like ‘Shattered Spirits’, ‘Shattered Innocence’ and ‘Nightbreaker’. During this time, she also played Nancy Henderson in the fantasy comedy film ‘Harry and the Hendersons’.
She started the new decade with a role in ‘The Prince of Tides’ (1991), a romantic drama film based on Pat Conroy’s 1986 novel of the same name. In 1994, Dillon featured in the low-budget thriller ‘Sioux City’. A year later, she was cast as Mrs. Darling in the drama film ‘How to Make an American Quilt’. She next starred in the epic drama film ‘Magnolia,’ featuring a number of characters, each in search of happiness, meaning, and forgiveness in the San Fernando Valley. After appearing in three episodes of ‘Heartland’ in 2007, the actress retired from her career.
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Family, Personal Life & Death
Melinda Dillon was born on October 13, 1939 in Hope, Arkansas, USA to E. Norine and W. S. Dillon who was an Army officer. She studied at Hyde Park High School. On September 30, 1963, she married actor Richard Libertini. They had one son, Richard, before they got divorced in 1978.

Melinda Dillon died on January 9, 2023, at Los Angeles, California. She was 83.

Facts About Melinda Dillon
Melinda Dillon, known for her versatile acting skills, has a passion for gardening and enjoys spending time tending to her plants and flowers.
Despite her success in Hollywood, Melinda Dillon prefers to maintain a low profile and values her privacy.
In addition to her acting career, Dillon is also a talented painter and has showcased her artwork in several exhibitions.
Melinda Dillon is an advocate for animal rights and actively supports various animal welfare organizations.
Dillon is known for her quirky sense of humor and has a reputation for keeping the mood light on set with her jokes and pranks.

Awards

Grammy Awards
1964 Best Documentary, Spoken Word, or Drama Recording (Other Than Comedy) Winner

How To Cite

Article Title
- Melinda Dillon Biography
Author
- Editors, TheFamousPeople.com
Website
- TheFamousPeople.com
URL
- https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/melinda-dillon-44099.php

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Also Listed In

20th Century | 21st Century | Celebrity Names With Letter M | 20th Century Actresses | 21st Century Actresses | 20th Century Film & Theater Personalities | 21st Century Film & Theater Personalities