Melinda Dillon

Melinda Dillon

Deceased · Born: Oct 13, 1939 · Died: Jan 9, 2023

Personal Details

BornOct 13, 1939 Hope, Arkansas, USA
Parents
  • E. Norine Barnett
  • W. S. Dillon

Biography

Melinda Dillon's ascent to stardom was marked by her portrayal of Jillian Guiler, a distraught mother whose child is inexplicably taken by extraterrestrial beings in the iconic 1977 film Close Encounters of the Third Kind, directed by the illustrious Steven Spielberg.

This pivotal role not only catapulted Dillon to fame but also garnered her a coveted Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, a testament to her remarkable acting prowess.

In the years that followed, Dillon continued to impress audiences and critics alike with her nuanced performances, including a standout turn as a devoted Catholic woman in the 1981 drama Absence of Malice.

This latter role earned Dillon yet another Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, a testament to her ability to bring depth and complexity to her characters.

Furthermore, Dillon's performance in Absence of Malice won her a prestigious KCFCC Award, a fitting recognition of her exceptional talent and dedication to her craft.

Throughout her illustrious career, Melinda Dillon has consistently demonstrated her versatility and range as an actress, delivering memorable performances that have left a lasting impact on the world of cinema.

Career

{"id":5249,"title":"Reign Over Me","year":"2007","character":"Ginger Timpleman","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/reign-over-me","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/1ebrl1kqb9mo.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/1ebrl1kqb9mo.jpg"},"released":1}
2007
Reign Over Me
Reign Over Me as Ginger Timpleman
{"id":48986,"title":"Adam & Steve","year":"2005","character":"Dottie","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/adam-steve-2005","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_48986.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_48986.jpg"},"released":1}
2005
{"id":152042,"title":"Debating Robert Lee","year":"2004","character":"Mrs. Lee","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/debating-robert-lee","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_152042.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_152042.jpg"},"released":1}
2004
{"id":52480,"title":"A Painted House","year":"2003","character":"Gran Chandler","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/a-painted-house","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_52480.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_52480.jpg"},"released":1}
2003
A Painted House
A Painted House as Gran Chandler
{"id":18513,"title":"Cowboy Up","year":"2002","character":"Rose Braxton","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/cowboy-up","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_18513.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_18513.jpg"},"released":1}
2002
Cowboy Up
Cowboy Up as Rose Braxton
{"id":4217,"title":"Magnolia","year":"1999","character":"Rose Gator","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/magnolia","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/1kj0p7lq2m98.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/1kj0p7lq2m98.jpg"},"released":1}
1999
Magnolia
Magnolia as Rose Gator
{"id":56218,"title":"The Effects of Magic","year":"1998","character":"Mom","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-effects-of-magic","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_56218.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_56218.jpg"},"released":1}
1998
{"id":156630,"title":"Christmas Unwrapped: The History of Christmas","year":"1997","character":"Mrs. Parker (archive footage)","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/christmas-unwrapped-the-history-of-christmas","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_156630.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_156630.jpg"},"released":1}
1997
Christmas Unwrapped: The History of Christmas
Christmas Unwrapped: The History of Christmas as Mrs. Parker (archive footage)
{"id":22919,"title":"Entertaining Angels: The Dorothy Day Story","year":"1996","character":"Sister Aloysius","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/entertaining-angels-the-dorothy-day-story","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_22919.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_22919.jpg"},"released":1}
1996
{"id":13403,"title":"To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar","year":"1995","character":"Merna","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/to-wong-foo-thanks-for-everything-julie-newmar","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/67tr1p18rji0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/67tr1p18rji0.jpg"},"released":1}
1995
{"id":57966,"title":"Naomi & Wynonna: Love Can Build a Bridge","year":"1995","character":"Polly Judd","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/naomi-wynonna-love-can-build-a-bridge-1995","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_57966.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_57966.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":6413,"title":"How to Make an American Quilt","year":"1995","character":"Mrs. Darling","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/how-to-make-an-american-quilt","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_6413.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_6413.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":158062,"title":"Sioux City","year":"1994","character":"Leah Goldman","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/sioux-city","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_158062.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_158062.jpg"},"released":1}
1994
Sioux City
Sioux City as Leah Goldman
{"id":58450,"title":"State of Emergency","year":"1994","character":"Betty Anderson","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/state-of-emergency-1994","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_58450.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_58450.jpg"},"released":1}
State of Emergency
State of Emergency as Betty Anderson
{"id":185252,"title":"Confessions: Two Faces of Evil","year":"1994","character":"Carol Mothershed","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/confessions-two-faces-of-evil","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_185252.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_185252.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":58810,"title":"Judgment Day: The John List Story","year":"1993","character":"Eleanor","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/judgment-day-the-john-list-story","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_58810.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_58810.jpg"},"released":1}
1993
{"id":5962,"title":"The Prince of Tides","year":"1991","character":"Savannah Wingo","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-prince-of-tides","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/7q92e5aka250.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/7q92e5aka250.jpg"},"released":1}
1991
The Prince of Tides
The Prince of Tides as Savannah Wingo
{"id":9393,"title":"Spontaneous Combustion","year":"1990","character":"Nina","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/spontaneous-combustion","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_9393.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_9393.jpg"},"released":1}
1990
{"id":9941,"title":"Captain America","year":"1990","character":"Mrs. Rogers","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/captain-america","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/48d3h2999ii0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/48d3h2999ii0.jpg"},"released":1}
Captain America
Captain America as Mrs. Rogers
{"id":7762,"title":"Staying Together","year":"1989","character":"Eileen McDermott","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/staying-together","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_7762.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_7762.jpg"},"released":1}
1989
Staying Together
Staying Together as Eileen McDermott
{"id":60853,"title":"Nightbreaker","year":"1989","character":"Paula Brown","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/nightbreaker","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_60853.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_60853.jpg"},"released":1}
Nightbreaker
Nightbreaker as Paula Brown
{"id":93615,"title":"Shattered Innocence","year":"1988","character":"Sharon Anderson","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/shattered-innocence","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_93615.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_93615.jpg"},"released":1}
1988
Shattered Innocence
Shattered Innocence as Sharon Anderson
{"id":1018,"title":"Harry and the Hendersons","year":"1987","character":"Nancy Henderson","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/harry-and-the-hendersons","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/2qkrv7in4jg0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/2qkrv7in4jg0.jpg"},"released":1}
1987
Harry and the Hendersons
Harry and the Hendersons as Nancy Henderson
{"id":161362,"title":"Shattered Spirits","year":"1986","character":"Joyce Mollencamp","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/shattered-spirits","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_161362.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_161362.jpg"},"released":1}
1986
Shattered Spirits
Shattered Spirits as Joyce Mollencamp
{"id":1882,"title":"The Twilight Zone","year":1985,"character":"(segment \"A Little Peace and Quiet\")","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/the-twilight-zone-1985","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/show_1882.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/show_1882.jpg"},"released":1}
1985
The Twilight Zone
The Twilight Zone as (segment "A Little Peace and Quiet")
{"id":103834448,"title":"Space","year":1985,"character":"Rachel Mott","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/space","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/show_103834448.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/show_103834448.jpg"},"released":1}
Space
Space as Rachel Mott
{"id":8553,"title":"Songwriter","year":"1984","character":"Honey Carder","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/songwriter","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_8553.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_8553.jpg"},"released":1}
1984
Songwriter
Songwriter as Honey Carder
{"id":63054,"title":"Right of Way","year":"1983","character":"Ruda Dwyer","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/right-of-way","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_63054.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_63054.jpg"},"released":1}
1983
Right of Way
Right of Way as Ruda Dwyer
{"id":3015,"title":"A Christmas Story","year":"1983","character":"Mother","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/a-christmas-story","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/4aop9ud5nse0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/4aop9ud5nse0.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":162710,"title":"The Juggler of Notre Dame","year":"1982","character":"Dulcy","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-juggler-of-notre-dame","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_162710.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_162710.jpg"},"released":1}
1982
{"id":63632,"title":"Fallen Angel","year":"1981","character":"Sherry Phillips","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/fallen-angel-1981","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_63632.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_63632.jpg"},"released":1}
1981
Fallen Angel
Fallen Angel as Sherry Phillips
{"id":163012,"title":"Hellinger's Law","year":"1981","character":"Anne Gronouski","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/hellingers-law-1981","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_163012.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_163012.jpg"},"released":1}
Hellinger's Law
Hellinger's Law as Anne Gronouski
{"id":6104,"title":"Absence of Malice","year":"1981","character":"Teresa Perrone","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/absence-of-malice","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_6104.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_6104.jpg"},"released":1}
Absence of Malice
Absence of Malice as Teresa Perrone
{"id":185906,"title":"Marriage Is Alive and Well","year":"1980","character":"Jeannie","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/marriage-is-alive-and-well","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_185906.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_185906.jpg"},"released":1}
1980
{"id":80753,"title":"The Shadow Box","year":"1980","character":"Agnes","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-shadow-box","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_80753.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_80753.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":204689,"title":"Transplant","year":"1979","character":"Ann Hurley","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/transplant","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_204689.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_204689.jpg"},"released":1}
1979
Transplant
Transplant as Ann Hurley
{"id":5979,"title":"The Muppet Movie","year":"1979","character":"Woman with Balloon","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-muppet-movie","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/3dk3jqbplpgg.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/3dk3jqbplpgg.jpg"},"released":1}
The Muppet Movie
The Muppet Movie as Woman with Balloon
{"id":10682,"title":"F.I.S.T.","year":"1978","character":"Anna Zarinkas","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/fist","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_10682.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_10682.jpg"},"released":1}
1978
F.I.S.T.
F.I.S.T. as Anna Zarinkas
{"id":5893,"title":"Close Encounters of the Third Kind","year":"1977","character":"Jillian Guiler","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/close-encounters-of-the-third-kind","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/72dfqq7hpm00.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/72dfqq7hpm00.jpg"},"released":1}
1977
{"id":6324,"title":"Slap Shot","year":"1977","character":"Suzanne Hanrahan","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/slap-shot","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_6324.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_6324.jpg"},"released":1}
Slap Shot
Slap Shot as Suzanne Hanrahan
{"id":23018,"title":"Bound for Glory","year":"1976","character":"Mary \/ Memphis Sue","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/bound-for-glory","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_23018.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_23018.jpg"},"released":1}
1976
Bound for Glory
Bound for Glory as Mary / Memphis Sue
{"id":65130,"title":"The April Fools","year":"1969","character":"Leslie Hopkins","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-april-fools","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_65130.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_65130.jpg"},"released":1}
1969
The April Fools
The April Fools as Leslie Hopkins
{"id":96352,"title":"The Cry of Jazz","year":"1959","character":"Faye","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-cry-of-jazz","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_96352.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_96352.jpg"},"released":1}
1959
{"id":113488,"title":"Hal","year":"2019","character":null,"permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/hal","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_113488.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_113488.jpg"},"released":1}
2019
{"id":154322,"title":"The Making of 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind'","year":"2001","character":null,"permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-making-of-close-encounters-of-the-third-kind-2001","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_154322.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_154322.jpg"},"released":1}
2001
{"id":54766,"title":"That Moment: Magnolia Diary","year":"2000","character":null,"permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/that-moment-magnolia-diary","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_54766.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_54766.jpg"},"released":1}
2000