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Melinda Dillon

Acting Born Oct 13, 1939 Hope, Arkansas, USA 24 credits

Biography

Melinda Rose Dillon (October 13, 1939 - January 9, 2023) was a twice Oscar nominated American actress. She was best known for her roles in Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Absence of Malice and the holiday classic A Christmas Story.

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Known for

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

as Jenny Rogers
Film

Mulholland Drive

as Cissy Summers

Judging Amy

as Violet Loomis
Film

Notting Hill

1999
Film

Magnolia

as Rose Gator

Full filmography

  • Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) as Jenny Rogers
  • Bonanza (1959) as Cissy Summers
  • Judging Amy (1999) as Violet Loomis
  • The Twilight Zone (1985) as (segment "A Little Peace and Quiet")
  • CHiPs (1977)
  • The Jeffersons (1975)
  • The Defenders (1961) as Jeannie Birch
  • Picket Fences (1992) as Mrs. Klausner
  • Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) as Jillian Guiler
  • Magnolia (1999) as Rose Gator
  • To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar (1995) as Merna
  • The Lyon's Den (2003)
  • Heartland (2007) as Janet Jacobs
  • Space (1985) as Rachel Mott
  • Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) as Gran Chandler
  • A Christmas Story (1983) as Mother
  • The Muppet Movie (1979) as Woman with Balloon
  • Harry and the Hendersons (1987) as Nancy Henderson
  • Reign Over Me (2007) as Ginger Timpleman
  • The Prince of Tides (1991) as Savannah Wingo
  • Slap Shot (1977) as Suzanne Hanrahan
  • Captain America (1990) as Mrs. Rogers
  • Fallen Angel (1981) as Sherry Phillips
  • The Critical List (1978) as Dr. Kris Lassiter