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Melinda Dillon

Melinda Dillon

Actor · Died January 9, 2023, aged 83 · Hope, Arkansas, USA

Melinda Rose Dillon (October 13, 1939 - January 9, 2023) was a twice Oscar nominated American actress. She was best known for her roles in Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Absence of Malice and the holiday classic A Christmas Story.

Biography from TMDB.

Born
October 13, 1939
Died
January 9, 2023 (aged 83)
From
Hope, Arkansas, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
35 on MovieCove · 53 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 65 days to Oct 28Up 11% in 30 days

What are Melinda Dillon's films like?

Across their 28 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Bonds.

Genres

Drama12 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 68th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 46th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Biography3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 75th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies
Crime3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 59th percentile
: browse their Crime movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Self
24%
Bonds
24%
Morality
22%
Survival
11%
Society
9%
Ideas
8%
Power
2%
Family bonds10 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice6 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose7 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity5 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity4 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception4 titles, browse their movies with this themeTruth3 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition4 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 28 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 10 · Serious 6 · Dark 12

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 23 · Stylized 5 · Heightened 0

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 7 · Charged 14 · Intense 7

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

A split, not a type: Steady 15 · Shifting 11 · Whiplash 2

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 20 · Some laughs 4 · Funny 4

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 18 · Even-paced 10 · Relentless 0

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 11 · Engaged 14 · Full focus 3

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 9 · Affecting 9 · Heavy 10

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 21 · Open-ended 5 · Ambiguous 2

Roles they play

11 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 8 of 11 analyzed roles.

Ally
8 of 11
Shadow
2 of 11
Threshold guardian
1 of 11
Show the 11 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
14
Melancholic
14
Warm
11
Contemplative
8
Joyful
6
Other
17

How their films linger

Hopeful12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy10
  • Bittersweet14
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous3

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Melinda Dillon's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 18 of their 35 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (12).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Melinda Dillon's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

53 credits, 35 with a MovieCove page; 2 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Heartland (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 3 episodes · as Janet Jacobs

  • Reign Over Me(2007)

    as Ginger Timpleman

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Adam & Steve(2005)

    as Dottie

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • Debating Robert Lee (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Mrs. Lee

  • The Lyon's Den (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • A Painted House(2003)

    as Gran Chandler

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Cowboy Up(2001)

    as Rose Braxton

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Magnolia(1999)

    as Rose Gator

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Law & Order: Special Victims Unit(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Jenny Rogers

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Judging Amy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Violet Loomis

  • The Effects of Magic(1998)

    as Mom

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • Christmas Unwrapped: The History of Christmas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Mrs. Parker (archive footage)

  • Entertaining Angels: The Dorothy Day Story(1996)

    as Sister Aloysius

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • How to Make an American Quilt(1995)

    as Mrs. Darling

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar(1995)

    as Merna

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films

  • Naomi & Wynonna: Love Can Build a Bridge(1995)

    as Polly Judd

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Sioux City(1994)

    as Leah Goldman

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • State of Emergency (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Betty Anderson

  • Confessions: Two Faces of Evil(1994)

    as Carol Mothershed

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Judgment Day: The John List Story(1993)

    as Eleanor

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Picket Fences(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as Mrs. Klausner

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • The Prince of Tides(1991)

    as Savannah Wingo

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Captain America(1990)

    as Mrs. Rogers

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Staying Together(1989)

    as Eileen McDermott

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Spontaneous Combustion(1989)

    as Nina

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Nightbreaker(1989)

    as Paula Brown

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Shattered Innocence (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Sharon Anderson

  • Harry and the Hendersons(1987)

    as Nancy Henderson

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Shattered Spirits(1986)

    as Joyce Mollencamp

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • The Twilight Zone (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as (segment "A Little Peace and Quiet")

  • Space (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 5 episodes · as Rachel Mott

  • Songwriter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Honey Carder

  • Right of Way(1983)

    as Ruda Dwyer

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • A Christmas Story(1983)

    as Mother

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Absence of Malice(1981)

    as Teresa Perrone

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Hellinger's Law (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Anne Gronouski

  • Fallen Angel(1981)

    as Sherry Phillips

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • The Shadow Box (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Agnes

  • Marriage Is Alive and Well (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Jeannie

  • The Muppet Movie(1979)

    as Woman with Balloon

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • The Critical List (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Show 2 episodes · as Dr. Kris Lassiter

  • F.I.S.T.(1978)

    as Anna Zarinkas

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Close Encounters of the Third Kind(1977)

    as Jillian Guiler

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • CHiPs(1977)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all shows

  • Enigma (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Dora Herren

  • Slap Shot(1977)

    as Suzanne Hanrahan

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Bound for Glory(1976)

    as Mary / Memphis Sue

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • The Jeffersons(1975)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • The April Fools(1969)

    as Leslie Hopkins

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • The Defenders (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · as Jeannie Birch

  • Bonanza(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Cissy Summers

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • The Cry of Jazz (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    as Faye

  • Hallmark Hall of Fame (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Show 1 episode · as Gran Chandler

Career shape

Star power in the 98th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 53 titles from 1951 to 2007; peak year 1982.

Biggest box office

Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)

$307M worldwide

Highest rated

Magnolia (1999)

Midcredits 97th

Most popular right now

Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)

Film career

19512007

Peak 1982 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 2 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting53 of 53: 53 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score62nd

By decade

1950s3 · acting1960s2 · acting1970s9 · acting1980s16 · acting1990s16 · acting2000s7 · acting

Billing

usually 6th · top billed in 6% of 16 roles
697994

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Melinda Dillon's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 59th percentile, the median of all 30; across their 28 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 57th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

57thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 28

Approval · how many liked their films

53rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 28

Reach · how many have seen their films

66thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 28

Midcredits score across 35 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up13
  • 50th to 74th9
  • 25th to 49th9
  • Below 25th4

Shape of the crowd

14 of their 35 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved7
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser14
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed12

Most divisive · actor

Captain America (1990)

85th percentile spread · 61% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Magnolia (1999)

Midcredits 97th · 84% liked

Reviewers score the acting 73/100 in their films, across 25 reviewed titles; fans 82, detractors 44. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Melinda Dillon's work okay for kids?

Across up to 10 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore runs lighter than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore8 titles24–65 · median 34 · mildlighter than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity10 titles11–63 · median 22 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity9 titles32–76 · median 40 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs9 titles8–62 · median 31 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense8 titles23–72 · median 42 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Melinda Dillon work with?

People who share at least 2 of Melinda Dillon's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Bob Balaban shares the most, 3.

Directors

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles