Oscar-nominated actress Melinda Dillon was born on October 13, 1939, in Hope, Arkansas. She is best known for her roles in A Christmas Story (1983) and Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977). Dillon began her career on the stage, appearing in several Broadway productions. In the early 1970s, she made the transition to film, appearing in such movies as The Promise (1979) and Absence of Malice (1981). In recent years, Dillon has returned to the stage, appearing in several Off-Broadway productions. A gifted actress with a versatile range, Dillon is a true Libra.