The Broadway production of “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” is where Melinda Dillon, an American actress, first gained attention and a Tony Award nomination. Her supporting parts in the movies “Absence of Malice” and “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” helped her improve her career.
She was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her roles in both films. Dillon has continued to work on the big screen ever since, in addition to often appearing in television shows.
After making appearances in three episodes of the medical drama series “Heartland,” she announced her retirement from acting in 2007.
Dillon, who had an army offer when she was born in Hope, Arkansas, USA, finally found success on stage and in movies after graduating from Hyde Park High School. She wed actor Richard Libertini in 1963. Before divorcing in 1978, the couple had a son.
Melinda Dillon’s Date of Birth and Education
Melinda Dillon was born on October 13, 1939, to E. Norine and Army officer W. S. Dillon in Hope, Arkansas, USA. Her high school was Hyde Park.
Melinda Dillon’s Husband
She tied the knot with actor Richard Libertini on September 30, 1963. Richard was their only child before they separated in 1978.
Melinda Dillon’s Career
Melinda Dillon made her public appearance in the 1962 production of “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” on Broadway, where she received a Tony Award nomination for her work.
She then appeared in “Paul Sill’s Story Theatre” and “You Know I Can’t Hear You When the Water’s Running” as various characters.
She made her acting debut in the 1969 romantic comedy “The April Fools,” which also starred Jack Lemmon and Catherine Deneuve.
Her big performance came in the next decade in the biographical picture “Bound for Glory,” which earned her a Golden Globe nomination.
In the year after, Dillon had even more recognition because of her role as Jillian Guiler in the science fiction film “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” for which she was recognized with an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She also worked on the movie “Slap Shot” in the same year.
The International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) and its former President Jimmy Hoffa were the subjects of the drama movie “F.I.S.T.” after that.
The actress received a second Academy Award nomination in 1981 for her work in the drama movie “Absence of Malice.” She quickly started making appearances in the drama series “Insight.”
She next appeared in the holiday comedy film “A Christmas Story” as Mother Parker. Dillon appeared in other television movies throughout the coming years, including “Shattered Spirits,” “Shattered Innocence,” and “Nightbreaker.”
She also played Nancy Henderson at this period in the fantasy comedy movie “Harry and the Hendersons.”
She began the new decade with a part in the romantic drama movie “The Prince of Tides” (1991), which was based on Pat Conroy’s 1986 book of the same name.
Dillon appeared in the low-budget thriller “Sioux City” in 1994. She was chosen to play Mrs. Darling in the drama movie “How to Make an American Quilt” a year later.
She then played a number of characters in the epic drama movie Magnolia, all of them were looking for forgiveness, happiness, and purpose in the San Fernando Valley. The actress ended her career in 2007 after making three appearances on “Heartland.”