Melinda Dillon Dies: Close Encounters, A Christmas Story Actress was 83
by Erik Pedersen
Feb. 3, 2023


Melinda Dillon, a two-time Oscar nominee for Close Encounters of the Third Kind and Absence of Malice who also played Richie’s mom in A Christmas Story, has died. She was 83.

Her family said she died January 9, but did not give other details.



Dillon probably is best known for playing a mother whose young son is abducted by the aliens in Steven Spielberg’s 1977 epic Close Encounters of the Third Kind. She and Roy (Richard Dreyfuss) are inexplicably drawn to Devils Tower in Wyoming as they struggle to make sense of what has happened to them.

She earned a Supporting Actress Oscar for the role.

https://deadline.com/2023/02/melinda-dillon-dead-close-encounters-a-christmas-story-absence-of-malice-actress-1235249273/

One of my favorite actresses of all time! Loved her in Close Encounters and Christmas Story as well as in The Prince of Tides. So very sad... :( :( :(

Oh no! Not another one! Close Encounters is one of my favorite movies. I hadn't realized she was that old. May she rest in peace.:(

Oh no. :(

Melinda Dillon who played Ralphie's mom in the iconic film Christmas Story has passed away, she was 83. Incredibly she died in Los Angeles almost a month ago (1/9/23), the information was posted by The Neptune Society.

https://obituaries.neptunesociety.com/obituaries/san-pedro-ca/melinda-dillon-11110599

Oh, F U D G E ! She was a Wonderful actress! My prayers go to her family and friends.

Very sad...........

Never would have guessed she was 83. She was good in her time.

R.I.P. Melinda

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