‘Christmas Story’ Actress Melinda Dillon Dies at 83

Melinda Dillon, a two-time Oscar-nominated actress known for her roles in Close Encounters of the Third Kind and A Christmas Story, has died at the age of 83.

According to an obituary, Dillon died in Los Angeles on Monday. No further details about her death were provided. Dillon is survived by her son Richard Libertini Jr.

Dillon earned Oscar nominations as Best Supporting Actress twice, first in Steven Spielberg’s 1977 sci-fi classic Close Encounters, and again in the 1981 drama Absence of Malice. Two years later, Dillon starred in A Christmas Story, which would become perhaps her most notable role.

Several of Dillon’s peers took to social media this week to share their thoughts about the actress’ passing. 

“Melinda Dillon was such a great actress, with a wonderful delicacy about her,” Barbara Streisand wrote on Twitter. She was a delight to direct in Prince of Tides. May she rest in peace.”

Jon Cryer also hopped on Twitter to thank Melinda for the “profound effect” her work had on his career. “Every moment of her performance in ‘Close Encounters’ is perfection,” Cryer shared.

See their tweets below.