Where is Melinda Dillon now? The secretive actor’s life

Melinda Dillon was one of the stars of the holiday classic A Christmas Story. She played Mrs. Parker, the doting mother of the film’s protagonist, Ralphie Parker. Ralphie desires a Red Ryder air rifle for Christmas, but the adults reject his wish, saying he’ll injure himself with the gun. 

Regardless, Parker resolves to get what he considers the best possible Christmas gift. In his way are a school bully and his cranky father. Mrs. Parker, though reluctant about gifting Ralphie an object that might harm him, supports and comforts Ralphie. 

Fans expected Dillion to reprise her famous role in the A Christmas Story sequel but were disappointed to learn that Melinda wouldn’t appear in A Christmas Story Christmas. 

Melinda Dillon isn’t in A Christmas Story Christmas because she retired from acting in 2007. Dillon’s last role came in three episodes of the short-lived medical drama Heartland. In her final film appearance, Melinda played Ginger Timpleman in 2007’s Reign Over Me. 

Dillon lives a low-key life following her retirement. She has a son named Richard from her marriage to ex-husband Richard Libertini – the couple divorced in 1978. Melinda’s son seemingly pursued a life outside of showbiz.

Julie Hagerty plays Mrs. Parker in A Christmas Story Christmas. Hagerty also appeared in Marriage Story and Noelle in 2019 and will star in the upcoming films Somebody I Used to Know and The Out-Laws.