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Melinda Dillon Bio
Melinda Dillon is a popular two times Oscar-nominated American actress. She is famous for her role as Jillian Guiler in ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind’ in 1977, and Teresa in ‘Absence of Malice’ in 1981. Look also for Randy Mac.
Dillon’s other film appearances include Bound for Glory in 1976, F.I.S.T. in 1978, A Christmas Story in 1983, Harry and the Hendersons in 1987, The Prince of Tides in 1991 and Magnolia in 1999.
Melinda Dillon Age
She was born on October 13, 1939, in Hope, Arkansas, USA. Her birth name is Melinda Ruth Dillon. Her father’s name is W.S.Dillon (an Army officer) and her mother’s name is E. Norine.
Melinda Dillon Husband
Melinda Dillon is currently single. She was previously married to actor Richard Libertini on September 30, 1963. The couple welcomed a child, Richard Libertini, Jr.
But, the duo could not give their relationship proper direction and ended with divorce in 1978. After that, she has not been linked with anyone and she is enjoying her single life.
Melinda Dillon Education
Melinda attended Hyde Park High School in Chicago. She also studied acting at the Goodman Theater School and with Lee Strasberg.
Melinda Dillon Net Worth
The multitalented actress has an estimated net worth of around $7 million and she has accumulated that sum of money from her professional career.
Melinda Dillon Height
Dillon has a height of 5ft. 8 inches and she weighs 59 kg. Dillon has blonde hair, blue eyes, and wears a bra size of 38B.
Melinda Dillon Career
Melinda Dillon started her career as Honey in the original 1962 Broadway production ‘Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf’. After that, she made her appearance in ‘You Know I Can’t Hear You When the Water’s Running’ and in ‘Story’.
She debuted her film career in 1969 from the film ‘The April Fools’ and later appeared in television series ‘Bonzana’. In 1976, she co-starred with David Carradine in Woody Guthrie ‘Bound for Glory’.
After that, she appeared in several films as Anna Zarinkas in ‘F.I.S.T.’ in 1978, Honey Carder in ‘Songwriter’ in 1984, Nina in ‘Spontaneous Combustion’ in 1990, Leah Goldman in ‘Sioux City’ in 1994, Rose Braxton in ‘Cowboy Up’ in 2001, Dottie in ‘Adam & Steve’ in 2005, Ginger Templeman in ‘Reign Over Me’ in 2007, etc.
Also, her notable television roles include Penny in ‘The Twilight Zone’ in 1985, Paul Brown in ‘Nightbreaker’ in 1989, Betty Anderson in ‘State of Emergency’ in 1994, Violet Loomis in ‘Judging Amy’ in 2001, Jenny Rogers in ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’ in 2005, and many more.
Melinda Dillon Movies
Melinda Dillon Christmas Story
A Christmas Story is an American Christmas comedy film directed by Bob Clark in 1983. It’s based on Jean Shepherd’s semi-fictional anecdotes in his book In God We Trust (1966 ); All Others Pay Cash, with some elements from his book Wanda Hickey’s Night of Golden Memories in 1971.
Melinda Dillon Close Encounters Of The Third Kind
Close Encounters of the Third Kind is an American 1977 science fiction film written and directed by Steven Spielberg. It also starred Richard Dreyfuss, Melinda Dillon, Teri Garr, Bob Balaban, Cary Guffey, and François Truffaut.
The film tells the story of Roy Neary, an everyday blue-collar worker in Indiana, whose life reforms after an encounter with an unidentified flying object. Melinda Dillon gained fame with the role of Jillian Guiler, a mother whose child is abducted by aliens in Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
Melinda Dillon Awards
She won ACCA Award in the category Best Cast Ensemble for ‘Magnolia’ in 1999 and FFCC Award in the category Best Ensemble Cast for ‘Magnolia’ in 2000. Similarly, Melinda has won KCFCC Award in the category Best Supporting Actress for ‘Absence of Malice’ in 1981.
She was also nominated for the Golden Globe in the Best Female Acting Debut and for Oscar in a Best Supporting Actress.