Melinda Dillon was a celebrated American actress known for her diverse roles across stage and screen. She earned a Tony Award nomination in 1963 for her Broadway debut in "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" Her film career included two Academy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actress in "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" (1977) and "Absence of Malice" (1981). Dillon is also fondly remembered as Mother Parker in the Christmas classic "A Christmas Story" (1983). Her extensive filmography includes notable appearances in "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 "Magnolia" (1999), the latter earning her a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination.
October 13, 1939: Birth of Melinda Dillon
Melinda Ruth Dillon was born on October 13, 1939.
1959: The Cry of Jazz
Dillon acted in the short film "The Cry of Jazz" in 1959.
1961: Performance in Uncle Vanya
In 1961, Melinda Dillon performed as Sonya in a student production of Chekhov's "Uncle Vanya."
1962: Broadway Debut in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Melinda Dillon made her Broadway debut in 1962, originating the role of Honey in Edward Albee's "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?"
1963: Tony Award Nomination and Marriage
In 1963, Melinda Dillon received a Tony Award nomination for her role in "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" and married actor Richard Libertini.
1963: Marriage to Richard Libertini
Melinda Dillon married actor Richard Libertini in 1963.
1968: Work on Eugene McCarthy's Presidential Campaign
Dillon worked on Eugene McCarthy's presidential campaign in 1968.
1969: Film and Television Appearances
In 1969, Dillon appeared in her first feature film, "The April Fools," and guest-starred in an episode of the TV series "Bonanza."
1976: Bound for Glory and Golden Globe Nomination
Dillon co-starred in "Bound for Glory" and received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Female Acting Debut in 1976.
1977: Oscar Nomination and Film Roles
In 1977, Dillon was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for "Close Encounters of the Third Kind." She also appeared in "Slap Shot" and made an uncredited cameo in "The Muppet Movie."
1978: Divorce from Richard Libertini
Melinda Dillon and Richard Libertini divorced in 1978.
1978: Divorce from Richard Libertini
Melinda Dillon and Richard Libertini divorced in 1978.
1979: The Muppet Movie
Dillon appeared in "The Muppet Movie" in 1979.
1981: Second Oscar Nomination
Melinda Dillon received her second Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress in 1981 for her performance in "Absence of Malice."
1981: Second Oscar Nomination for Absence of Malice
Dillon received her second nomination for Best Supporting Actress in 1981 for "Absence of Malice."
1983: A Christmas Story Release
"A Christmas Story," starring Dillon as the mother, was released in 1983.
1983: A Christmas Story Release
Dillon starred as Mother Parker in the holiday classic "A Christmas Story" in 1983.
1987: Harry and the Hendersons Release
Dillon appeared in "Harry and the Hendersons" in 1987.
1990: Captain America Release
Dillon appeared in "Captain America" in 1990.
1991: The Prince of Tides Release
Dillon appeared in "The Prince of Tides" in 1991.
1995: Film Releases
In 1995, Dillon appeared in "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar" and "How to Make an American Quilt."
1999: Magnolia and SAG Nomination
Dillon appeared in "Magnolia" and was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award in 1999.
1999: Appearance in Magnolia
Dillon appeared in the film "Magnolia" in 1999.
2005: Guest Appearance on Law & Order: SVU
Dillon guest-starred in an episode of "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" in 2005.
2007: Reign Over Me and Heartland
Dillon appeared in the film "Reign Over Me" and the TV series "Heartland" in 2007.
2007: Final Acting Roles
Dillon's final major acting roles were in the film "Reign Over Me" and the TV series "Heartland" in 2007.
2022: A Christmas Story Sequel Released
A sequel to "A Christmas Story" was released in 2022, with Julie Hagerty replacing Dillon in the role of the mother.
January 9, 2023: Death of Melinda Dillon
Melinda Dillon passed away on January 9, 2023.