Following the news of Melinda Dillon’s death, actor Peter Billingsley is paying tribute to his onscreen mom.
The two played mother and son in the classic holiday movie A Christmas Story.
Billingsley, 51, remembered Dillon as “kind, supportive, cool, thoughtful, giving and committed.”
Dillon, most recognizable as the mother of Ralphie – played by Billingsley – and Randy in A Christmas Story, died January 9 at the age of 83.
While many remember her from the iconic holiday movie, her breakthrough role came when she starred in Steven Speilberg’s Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
She was nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Oscar.
‘You’ll shoot your eye out!’
Although some may have only known her from the 1983 film A Christmas Story, she starred in numerous films and dozens of episodes of television before retiring in 2007.
“Her body of work demonstrated her incredible range and talent,” Billingsley wrote.
“I feel so fortunate to have had the opportunity to call her my on-screen mother. Rest in peace, Melinda.”
Melinda was such a wonderful actress who certainly had the range. She will be missed.
May she rest in peace.
