Melinda Dillon

Melinda Ruth Dillon (October 13, 1939 – January 9, 2023) was an accomplished American actress with a rich career spanning several decades. Her role in the original Broadway production of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? ushered her into the limelight, leading to a Tony Award nomination in 1963. She distinctly left her mark on the film industry with her performances in Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) and Absence of Malice (1981), for which she received nominations for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. The classic holiday movie, A Christmas Story (1983), featured her beloved portrayal of Mother Parker. Dillon's extensive filmography includes movies like Bound for Glory (1976), Slap Shot (1977), The Muppet Movie (1979), Harry and the Hendersons (1987), Captain America (1990), The Prince of Tides (1991), and Reign Over Me (2007), with her role in Magnolia (1999) earning her a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination.

Dillon was born in Hope, Arkansas in 1939 but was brought up in Cullman, Alabama. Her acting journey began in earnest after she attended the Goodman School of Drama at the Art Institute of Chicago, where she honed her skills in improvisational comedy and stage acting. Remembered for her versatility and emotional richness, Dillon also played a role in some television series like Bonanza. Her personal life comprises her marriage to actor Richard Libertini in 1963, with whom she had a son, although they later divorced. She was also politically active, taking an active role in Democrat Eugene McCarthy's 1968 presidential campaign. Dillon passed away on January 9, 2023, leaving behind an indelible legacy in the film industry.