It’s with a heavy heart that we must share the news of the passing of the beloved actress Melinda Dillon. The two-time Oscar nominee, best known for her roles in “A Christmas Story” and “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” died on January 9th at the age of 83, according to the Neptune Society cremation provider.
Dillon’s career spanned decades, from her Tony Award nomination for the original cast of “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” on Broadway in the 1960s to her iconic role as the mother in “A Christmas Story” in 1983. She was also nominated for an Oscar for her roles in “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” and “Absence of Malice.” Other notable works include her roles in “Slap Shot,” “Harry and the Hendersons,” “Bound for Glory,” and episodes of “Judging Amy” and “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit.”
The outpouring of love and admiration for the actress has been overwhelming. Barbra Streisand shared, “Melinda Dillon was such a great actress, with a wonderful delicacy about her. She was a delight to direct in Prince of Tides. May she rest in peace.” Lou Diamond Phillips added, “So very, very sad to hear of the passing of Melinda Dillon. She played my adopted mother in Sioux City, my second directorial effort. What a Light and a Blessing. So effortless in her work that it was easy to overlook how brilliant she was. I feel so lucky to have known her. RIP.”
The world has lost a true talent, and we are sure her legacy will live on for many years to come. Rest in peace, Melinda Dillon.
Source: www.cnn.com