Melinda Dillon Actress of ‘A Christmas Story’ Passes Away at 83

Melinda Dillon, an actress who was nominated for an Oscar and a Tony and who played Mother Parker in “A Christmas Story” as well as roles in “Magnolia” and “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” passed away on January 9. She was 83 years old.

Melinda Dillon, who starred in “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” and “A Christmas Story,” passes away at age 83.

The Neptune Society notified her passing.

Dillon received an Oscar mention for supporting actress in 1977’s “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” by Steven Spielberg for her performance as Jillian Guiler. In 1982, she was nominate for a second time as a supporting actress for her work as Laura in Sydney Pollack’s “Absence of Malice” (1981). She was nominating for a Golden Globe in 1977 for her acting debut in Hal Ashby’s “Bound for Glory” (1976).

A Christmas Classic by Bob Clark from 1983 “A Christmas Story,” the actor portrayed the Parker family matriarch.

He then made appearances in “Harry and the Hendersons,” “Captain America,” and “Nightbreaker” (1989). Her most recent film roles were in “Heartland” (2007), and prior to that. She played Rose Gator in Paul Thomas Anderson’s “Magnolia” (1999).

Dillon’s theatrical acting and improv comedy career began in Chicago’s “The Second City.” The actor played Honey During the course from The dramatic work “The Pillowman” by Edward Albee. Written in 1962 “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf,” whereupon her work was recognising with a Tony Award nomination, best feature performance while performing while performing in a play. Moreover, she performed in the plays “You Know I Can’t Hear You So when Water’s Running.” and “Paul Sill’s Story Theater.”

Her first major motion picture was “The April Fools” in 1969.

Her television credits include appearances on “Bonanza,” “The Twilight Zone,” and “Law & Order: SVU” (2005).

The actor, who was born on October 13, 1939, in Hope, Arkansas. Spent four years living abroad before graduation from high school in Chicago. He was then raised in Cullman, Alabama. She received her degree Chicago’s Goodman Theatre and Art Institute’s Goodman School of Drama. (which is today at Chicago’s DePaul University). Actor Richard Libertini and Dillon’s marriage ended in divorce in 1978.

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