Ralphy's mom, Malinda Dillon, Died age 83

Question

"A Christmas Story"

Comments

I'm one if the few people who wasn't a fan of A Christmas Story. I keep thinking I should go back and watch it again sometime to see if I can figure out what all the hype is. That said, Close Encounters of the Third Kind is one of my all-time favorite films. I saw it on the big screen at the drive-in when it first came out. Malinda Dillon gave an outstanding performance as a totally sane woman who thought she was going crazy after she witnessed her little boy being abducted by aliens. Not an easy role to pull off, but she did it. A very underrated actress who deserves to be recognized. My she rest in peace.

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She was always my favorite TV mom!

Answer 1

I was actually surprised to note she has appeared in numerous starring roles in movies I remember from my past. She was the lead in Close Encounters of the Third Kind and also Absence of Malice, besides A Christmas Story. She received a Tony Award for her role in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

She was also in Harry and the Hendersons, The Prince of Tides, and Magnolia. She was married briefly to Richard Libertini, who was also an actor. They had one child together.

Comments

Central City and Tracy Ullman Show too.

Answer 2

Profile is here: https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Dillon-5892

I've been adding sources, bio, and family all day.
Her father was Floyd Clardy, not Dillon, although she may have been adopted by Walter S. Dillon, her Step-Father.

I had no idea she was 83. I guess she's just frozen in my mind as Ralphie's mom.

There's a quote from Charles Portis which is the last line in the 2010 (Coen Brothers) version of "True Grit"  -
"Time just gets away from us."