04Melinda Dillon, 83, was an actress best known for her role as "Mother Parker" in "A Christmas Story."

Quotable Quotes: "I was offered a lot of shows that I didn't do—musicals, the part of Eve in 'Applause,' and 'Beekman Place' and others; Irwin Shaw wrote a play for me that I didn't do—I didn't want to. In my life, at that time, I wasn't ready for a career; 1 wanted to be protected and married, so that's what I did.''

"I had had the American dream—to go to New York and study with Lee Strasberg. I guess I just wasn't prepared for it all to happen so quickly in New York. I'm not sophisticated; hadn't had any kind of cultural education, at all, so when it came to meeting people, and presenting any kind of ideas I might have to Offer, I would be terrified."

"I think that says 'Fragile,' honey."

"I promise you, Daddy is not going to kill Ralphie!"

"BB guns are dangerous. I don't want anyone shooting his eye out."