History of Melinda Dillon in Timeline

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.

1979: The Muppet Movie

Dillon appeared in "The Muppet Movie" in 1979.

1981: Second Oscar Nomination for Absence of Malice

Dillon received her second nomination for Best Supporting Actress in 1981 for "Absence of Malice."

1981: Second Oscar Nomination

Melinda Dillon received her second Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress in 1981 for her performance in "Absence of Malice."

1983: A Christmas Story Release

"A Christmas Story," starring Dillon as the mother, was released 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.

Mentioned in this timeline

Christmas is an annual festival celebrated on December th commemorating...

Virginia a state in the Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of...

A prince is a male ruler or a male member...