We are saddened to report the passing of Melinda Dillon, a two-time Oscar nominee best known for her roles in “A Christmas Story” and “Close Encounters of the Third Kind”. Dillon was 83 when she passed away on January 9th, according to Neptune Society, the cremation provider.
Ms. Dillon was a remarkable talent and her performances in films such as “A Christmas Story”, “Close Encounters of the Third Kind”, “Absence of Malice”, “Slap Shot”, “Harry and the Hendersons”, and “Bound for Glory” have been praised by both critics and fans alike. Her Oscar nominations for Best Supporting Actress in both “Close Encounters” and “Absence of Malice” are a testament to her talent and skill as an actress.
In addition to her work in film, Ms. Dillon was also a stage actress and was nominated for a Tony Award for her performance in the original cast of “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” on Broadway in the 1960s. Her work in television included episodes of “Judging Amy” and “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit”.
The Hollywood community has taken to Twitter to honor Ms. Dillon’s legacy. Barbra Streisand wrote, “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 tweeted, “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.”
We honor the life and legacy of Melinda Dillon, an extraordinary actress who left us with a number of unforgettable performances.
Source: abc7chicago.com