RIP: Melinda Dillon (Close Encounters, A Christmas Story) - Dead at 83
02-03-23 | 06:57 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Moderator
RIP: Melinda Dillon (Close Encounters, A Christmas Story) - Dead at 83
Melinda Dillon, a two-time Oscar nominee for Close Encounters of the Third Kind and Absence of Malice who also played Ralphie’s mom in A Christmas Story, has died. She was 83. Her family said she died January 9 in Los Angeles but did not give other details.
Obituary: https://obituaries.neptunesociety.co...illon-11110599
02-03-23 | 07:43 PM
#2
DVD Talk Hero
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 39,237
Received 1,619 Likes
on
1,147 Posts
From: Somewhere between Heaven and Hell
Re: RIP: Melinda Dillon (Close Encounters, A Christmas Story) - Dead at 83
Didn't realize she was 8 years older than Dreyfuss.. worst. mom. ever. 
02-03-23 | 07:44 PM
#3
Re: RIP: Melinda Dillon (Close Encounters, A Christmas Story) - Dead at 83
She's memorable to me by those roles. Hope she had a good life.
02-03-23 | 07:48 PM
#4
DVD Talk Legend
Re: RIP: Melinda Dillon (Close Encounters, A Christmas Story) - Dead at 83
She was great in Magnolia.
The following users liked this post:
Toby Dramit (02-03-23)
02-03-23 | 08:11 PM
#6
DVD Talk Legend
Re: RIP: Melinda Dillon (Close Encounters, A Christmas Story) - Dead at 83
I wonder if her not being in A Christmas Story Christmas was due to her not being well.
I enjoyed everything I saw her in.
RIP
02-03-23 | 08:38 PM
#7
DVD Talk Hero
Re: RIP: Melinda Dillon (Close Encounters, A Christmas Story) - Dead at 83
I’m sorry to hear she died. I was always a fan of hers. I never cared for A Christmas Story but she was fantastic as the mom in that.
Close Encounters is one of my favorite movies. She was underutilized in it but she was still enjoyable.
Close Encounters is one of my favorite movies. She was underutilized in it but she was still enjoyable.
02-03-23 | 09:03 PM
#8
DVD Talk Hero
02-03-23 | 09:04 PM
#9
DVD Talk Gold Edition
Re: RIP: Melinda Dillon (Close Encounters, A Christmas Story) - Dead at 83
Enjoyed seeing her in Close Encounters and Slap Shot. Sad to hear.
Condolences to her family.
Condolences to her family.
02-04-23 | 04:46 AM
#10
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Re: RIP: Melinda Dillon (Close Encounters, A Christmas Story) - Dead at 83
I wondered why she didn't temporarily un-retire for the Christmas Story sequel; it was such a milestone in her career, but she must not have been healthy enough. RIP
02-04-23 | 07:39 AM
#11
DVD Talk Legend
Re: RIP: Melinda Dillon (Close Encounters, A Christmas Story) - Dead at 83
explains why she wasn't in the Christmas story remake. Good solid actress. Never overacted, stayed in her lane perfectly, and had a real down home appeal. RIP.
02-04-23 | 08:59 PM
#13
DVD Talk Hero
Re: RIP: Melinda Dillon (Close Encounters, A Christmas Story) - Dead at 83
RIP
Was the mom with the kid that has a UFO encounter in Close Encounters?
Was the mom with the kid that has a UFO encounter in Close Encounters?
02-04-23 | 09:27 PM
#14
DVD Talk Special Edition
Re: RIP: Melinda Dillon (Close Encounters, A Christmas Story) - Dead at 83
Thought she was particularly good in 'Absence of Malice'.
