Melissa McCarthy
Encyclopedia
Melissa McCarthy is an American actress and comedian.
From 2000 to 2007, she portrayed Sookie St. James on the The WB
television series Gilmore Girls
. From 2007 to 2009, she portrayed Dena on the ABC
sitcom
Samantha Who?
She currently stars in the CBS
sitcom Mike & Molly, for which she earned an Emmy Award
. She is also known for her roles in the films The Back-up Plan
, Life as We Know It
, and Bridesmaids
.
, was born in Plainfield, Illinois
, the daughter of Sandy and Michael McCarthy. She was raised on a farm, in a "big, Irish-Catholic family". She graduated from St. Francis Academy (now Joliet Catholic Academy
) in Joliet, Illinois
. Her career started with stand-up comedy and includes film, television and theater. McCarthy is an alumna of The Groundlings
, an improvisational and sketch comedy troupe based in Los Angeles, California,
. From 2000 to 2003 she played supporting roles in the films Disney's The Kid, Charlie's Angels
, Go
, The Third Wheel and The Life of David Gale
. She also did voice work in three episodes of Kim Possible
, where she played DNAmy.
From 2000 to 2007 she played the role of Sookie St. James, Lorelai Gilmore
's best friend on the The WB
television series Gilmore Girls
.
In 2007, she acted opposite Ryan Reynolds
in The Nines
, written and directed by John August
. McCarthy played Dena on the ABC
sitcom
Samantha Who?
from 2007 to 2009. She also was a guest star in TV series Rita Rocks
in 2009 and Private Practice in 2010.
In 2010, she played character roles in films The Back-Up Plan
and Life as We Know It
. Since 2010 McCarthy has played a leading role as Molly Flynn on the CBS
hit sitcom Mike & Molly. In 2011, she received her first Emmy award
for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her role on Mike & Molly.
In 2011, she starred in the financially successful and critically lauded film Bridesmaids
with Kristen Wiig
, Maya Rudolph
, Rose Byrne
, Wendi McLendon-Covey
and Ellie Kemper
. McCarthy received critical acclaim for her performance. In June 2011, she hosted the Women in Film Crystal + Lucy Awards. She appeared as the host of Saturday Night Live on Saturday, October 1, 2011.
She will play a role in the sequel to Judd Apatow
's film Knocked Up - This is Forty. She will star in the upcoming film ID Theft with Jason Bateman
.
.
From 2000 to 2007, she portrayed Sookie St. James on the The WB
The WB Television Network
The WB Television Network is a former television network in the United States that was launched on January 11, 1995 as a joint venture between Warner Bros. and Tribune Broadcasting. On January 24, 2006, CBS Corporation and Warner Bros...
television series Gilmore Girls
Gilmore Girls
Gilmore Girls is an American family comedy-drama series created by Amy Sherman-Palladino, starring Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel. On October 5, 2000, the series debuted on The WB and was cancelled in its seventh season, ending on May 15, 2007 on The CW...
. From 2007 to 2009, she portrayed Dena on the ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
sitcom
Situation comedy
A situation comedy, often shortened to sitcom, is a genre of comedy that features characters sharing the same common environment, such as a home or workplace, accompanied with jokes as part of the dialogue...
Samantha Who?
Samantha Who?
Samantha Who? is an American television sitcom that originally aired on ABC from October 15, 2007 to July 23, 2009. The series was created by Cecelia Ahern and Don Todd, who also served as producers...
She currently stars in the CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
sitcom Mike & Molly, for which she earned an Emmy Award
Emmy Award
An Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various...
. She is also known for her roles in the films The Back-up Plan
The Back-Up Plan
The Back-up Plan is a 2010 romantic comedy film, starring Jennifer Lopez and Alex O'Loughlin. It was released theatrically in the U.S. on April 23, 2010, and later in other regions...
, Life as We Know It
Life as We Know It (film)
Life as We Know It is a 2010 romantic comedy-drama film directed by Greg Berlanti, starring Katherine Heigl and Josh Duhamel. It was released on October 8, 2010, after sneak previews in 811 theaters on October 2, 2010...
, and Bridesmaids
Bridesmaids (2011 film)
Bridesmaids is a 2011 American romantic comedy film written by Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo, directed by Paul Feig and produced by Judd Apatow, Barry Mendel, and Clayton Townsend. The plot centers on Annie ....
.
Early life
McCarthy, a cousin of actress Jenny McCarthyJenny McCarthy
Jennifer Ann "Jenny" McCarthy is an American model, comedian, actress, author, activist, and game show host. She began her career in 1993 as a nude model for Playboy magazine and was later named their Playmate of the Year. McCarthy then parlayed her Playboy fame into a successful television and...
, was born in Plainfield, Illinois
Plainfield, Illinois
Plainfield is a village in Will County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2007 special census, the population is 37,334.The Village includes land in Plainfield and Wheatland townships. Part of Plainfield is located in Kendall County...
, the daughter of Sandy and Michael McCarthy. She was raised on a farm, in a "big, Irish-Catholic family". She graduated from St. Francis Academy (now Joliet Catholic Academy
Joliet Catholic Academy
Joliet Catholic Academy is a coed Catholic High School located in Joliet, Illinois. It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Joliet. One of the oldest Catholic high schools in the Chicago area, Joliet Catholic is perhaps best known for its prowess in football...
) in Joliet, Illinois
Joliet, Illinois
Joliet is a city in Will and Kendall Counties in the U.S. state of Illinois, located southwest of Chicago. It is the county seat of Will County. As of the 2010 census, the city was the fourth-most populated in Illinois, with a population of 147,433. It continues to be Illinois' fastest growing...
. Her career started with stand-up comedy and includes film, television and theater. McCarthy is an alumna of The Groundlings
The Groundlings
The Groundlings are an improvisational comedy troupe based in Los Angeles, California. The troupe was formed by Gary Austin in 1974 and uses an improv format influenced by Viola Spolin to produce sketches and improvised scenes...
, an improvisational and sketch comedy troupe based in Los Angeles, California,
Career
In 1997 she appeared in an episode of the NBC comedy series JennyJenny (TV series)
Jenny is an American sitcom that aired on NBC from 1997 to 1998. The series was intended to be a star vehicle for Playboy Playmate Jenny McCarthy.-Synopsis:...
. From 2000 to 2003 she played supporting roles in the films Disney's The Kid, Charlie's Angels
Charlie's Angels (film)
Charlie's Angels is a 2000 American action comedy film directed by McG, starring Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore, and Lucy Liu as three women working for a private investigation agency...
, Go
Go (1999 film)
Go is a 1999 comedy thriller film written by John August and directed by Doug Liman, with three intertwining plots that happen to involve one drug deal. The film stars William Fichtner, Katie Holmes, Jay Mohr, Sarah Polley and Scott Wolf and features Taye Diggs, Breckin Meyer, Timothy Olyphant,...
, The Third Wheel and The Life of David Gale
The Life of David Gale
The Life of David Gale is a 2003 American drama film directed by Alan Parker and written by Charles Randolph.Kevin Spacey stars as the eponymous character, a college Professor and longtime activist against capital punishment who is sentenced to death for killing a fellow capital punishment opponent...
. She also did voice work in three episodes of Kim Possible
Kim Possible
Kim Possible is an American animated television series about a teenage crime fighter who has the task of dealing with worldwide, family, and school issues every day. The show is action-oriented, but also has a light-hearted atmosphere and often lampoons the conventions and clichés of the...
, where she played DNAmy.
From 2000 to 2007 she played the role of Sookie St. James, Lorelai Gilmore
Lorelai Gilmore
Lorelai Victoria Gilmore is a fictional character in the WB/CW television series Gilmore Girls, portrayed by Lauren Graham. She is the main protagonist for the length of the series's seven year run from October, 2000, until May, 2007....
's best friend on the The WB
The WB Television Network
The WB Television Network is a former television network in the United States that was launched on January 11, 1995 as a joint venture between Warner Bros. and Tribune Broadcasting. On January 24, 2006, CBS Corporation and Warner Bros...
television series Gilmore Girls
Gilmore Girls
Gilmore Girls is an American family comedy-drama series created by Amy Sherman-Palladino, starring Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel. On October 5, 2000, the series debuted on The WB and was cancelled in its seventh season, ending on May 15, 2007 on The CW...
.
In 2007, she acted opposite Ryan Reynolds
Ryan Reynolds
Ryan Rodney Reynolds is a Canadian film and television actor, best known for his roles in such films as National Lampoon's Van Wilder, Waiting..., The Amityville Horror, Just Friends, Definitely, Maybe, The Proposal, Buried, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, and Green Lantern.One of his best known...
in The Nines
The Nines
The Nines is a 2007 psychological thriller drama film, written, and directed by John August, and starring Ryan Reynolds, Hope Davis, Melissa McCarthy, and Elle Fanning. The film debuted at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival, and made $63,165 in the U.S...
, written and directed by John August
John August
John August is an American screenwriter and film director. He also writes and maintains the popular screenwriting blog , and develops screenwriter-targeted software....
. McCarthy played Dena on the ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
sitcom
Situation comedy
A situation comedy, often shortened to sitcom, is a genre of comedy that features characters sharing the same common environment, such as a home or workplace, accompanied with jokes as part of the dialogue...
Samantha Who?
Samantha Who?
Samantha Who? is an American television sitcom that originally aired on ABC from October 15, 2007 to July 23, 2009. The series was created by Cecelia Ahern and Don Todd, who also served as producers...
from 2007 to 2009. She also was a guest star in TV series Rita Rocks
Rita Rocks
Rita Rocks is a Lifetime original sitcom that premiered on October 20, 2008. It is the network's first original comedy in over a decade. The series debuted alongside re-runs of Reba as part of a new comedy hour for Tuesday nights, which later changed to Monday nights...
in 2009 and Private Practice in 2010.
In 2010, she played character roles in films The Back-Up Plan
The Back-Up Plan
The Back-up Plan is a 2010 romantic comedy film, starring Jennifer Lopez and Alex O'Loughlin. It was released theatrically in the U.S. on April 23, 2010, and later in other regions...
and Life as We Know It
Life as We Know It (film)
Life as We Know It is a 2010 romantic comedy-drama film directed by Greg Berlanti, starring Katherine Heigl and Josh Duhamel. It was released on October 8, 2010, after sneak previews in 811 theaters on October 2, 2010...
. Since 2010 McCarthy has played a leading role as Molly Flynn on the CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
hit sitcom Mike & Molly. In 2011, she received her first Emmy award
Emmy Award
An Emmy Award, often referred to simply as the Emmy, is a television production award, similar in nature to the Peabody Awards but more focused on entertainment, and is considered the television equivalent to the Academy Awards and the Grammy Awards .A majority of Emmys are presented in various...
for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her role on Mike & Molly.
In 2011, she starred in the financially successful and critically lauded film Bridesmaids
Bridesmaids (2011 film)
Bridesmaids is a 2011 American romantic comedy film written by Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo, directed by Paul Feig and produced by Judd Apatow, Barry Mendel, and Clayton Townsend. The plot centers on Annie ....
with Kristen Wiig
Kristen Wiig
Kristen Carroll Wiig is an American film and television actress who currently appears as a cast member on Saturday Night Live. Wiig was a member of improvisational comedy troupe The Groundlings, and has appeared in several films and television series, including Bridesmaids, MacGruber, Flight of...
, Maya Rudolph
Maya Rudolph
Maya Khabira Rudolph is an American actress, comedienne and singer known for her comedic roles as a cast member on Saturday Night Live from 2000 to 2007, and for appearing in films such as Away We Go, Bridesmaids, Grown Ups, A Prairie Home Companion and MacGruber...
, Rose Byrne
Rose Byrne
Mary Rose Byrne is an Australian actress.Byrne made her screen debut in 1994 with a small role in the film Dallas Doll...
, Wendi McLendon-Covey
Wendi McLendon-Covey
Wendi McLendon-Covey is an American actress, writer, producer and comedian. She is known for roles on television shows, such as Reno 911! and Rules of Engagement . She is also known for her role in the 2011 hit film Bridesmaids.-Personal life:McLendon-Covey was born Wendy Anne McLendon in...
and Ellie Kemper
Ellie Kemper
Elizabeth Claire "Ellie" Kemper is an American actress, comedian and writer best known for her role as Erin Hannon in NBC's The Office.-Personal life:...
. McCarthy received critical acclaim for her performance. In June 2011, she hosted the Women in Film Crystal + Lucy Awards. She appeared as the host of Saturday Night Live on Saturday, October 1, 2011.
She will play a role in the sequel to Judd Apatow
Judd Apatow
Judd Apatow is an American film producer, director, and screenwriter. He is well known for his work in comedy films, especially for films he has been involved with throughout the latter half of the 2000s. He is the founder of Apatow Productions, a film production company that also developed the...
's film Knocked Up - This is Forty. She will star in the upcoming film ID Theft with Jason Bateman
Jason Bateman
Jason Kent Bateman is an American television and film actor. After appearing in several 1980s and 1990s sitcoms including It's Your Move, and The Hogan Family, Bateman came to prominence in the early 2000s for playing Michael Bluth on Arrested Development, for which he won a TV Land, a Golden...
.
Personal life
McCarthy married her longtime boyfriend, Ben Falcone, an actor and fellow alumnus of The Groundlings, on October 8, 2005. They have two daughters, Vivian, born May 5, 2007, and Georgette, born in March 2010. McCarthy's pregnancy with Vivian was written into the last season of Gilmore GirlsGilmore Girls
Gilmore Girls is an American family comedy-drama series created by Amy Sherman-Palladino, starring Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel. On October 5, 2000, the series debuted on The WB and was cancelled in its seventh season, ending on May 15, 2007 on The CW...
.
Film
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | God | Margaret | |
| 1999 | Go Go (1999 film) Go is a 1999 comedy thriller film written by John August and directed by Doug Liman, with three intertwining plots that happen to involve one drug deal. The film stars William Fichtner, Katie Holmes, Jay Mohr, Sarah Polley and Scott Wolf and features Taye Diggs, Breckin Meyer, Timothy Olyphant,... |
Sandra | |
| 2000 | Charlie's Angels Charlie's Angels (film) Charlie's Angels is a 2000 American action comedy film directed by McG, starring Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore, and Lucy Liu as three women working for a private investigation agency... |
Doris | |
| Drowning Mona Drowning Mona Drowning Mona is a 2000 comedy-mystery film starring Danny DeVito as Wyatt Rash, a local police chief from Verplanck, New York, who investigates the mysterious death of Mona Dearly, a spiteful, loud-mouthed, cruel and highly unpopular woman, who drove her son's car off a cliff and drowned in a... |
Shirley | ||
| Auto Motives' | Tonnie | ||
| The Kid The Kid (2000 film) Disney's The Kid is a 2000 American film, directed by Jon Turteltaub and starring Bruce Willis and Spencer Breslin. It co-stars Emily Mortimer, Lily Tomlin, Chi McBride, and Jean Smart.-Plot:... |
Sky King Waitress | ||
| 2002 | Pumpkin Pumpkin (film) Pumpkin is a 2002 romantic dark comedy film starring Christina Ricci. It is a story of forbidden love between a developmentally-handicapped young man and a sorority girl... |
Cici Pinkus | |
| Marilyn | |||
| White Oleander | Paramedic | ||
| 2003 | Nico the Goth Girl | ||
| Chicken Party | Tot Wagner | ||
| Kim Possible: The Secret Files | DNAmy | voice | |
| 2006 | Cook-Off! | Amber Strang | |
| 2007 | Margaret / Melissa / Mary | ||
| Shooter | Night Store Clerk | uncredited | |
| Fran | |||
| 2008 | Just Add Water Just Add Water (film) Just Add Water is a comedy film released on June 17, 2008. The film stars Dylan Walsh as a hardworking man living in the same small town in which he grew up, Danny DeVito as a gas station owner, and Justin Long as a meth dealer.- Plot :... |
Selma | |
| Pretty Ugly People | Becky | ||
| 2010 | The Back-Up Plan The Back-Up Plan The Back-up Plan is a 2010 romantic comedy film, starring Jennifer Lopez and Alex O'Loughlin. It was released theatrically in the U.S. on April 23, 2010, and later in other regions... |
Carol | |
| Life as We Know It Life as We Know It (film) Life as We Know It is a 2010 romantic comedy-drama film directed by Greg Berlanti, starring Katherine Heigl and Josh Duhamel. It was released on October 8, 2010, after sneak previews in 811 theaters on October 2, 2010... |
DeeDee | ||
| 2011 | Bridesmaids Bridesmaids (2011 film) Bridesmaids is a 2011 American romantic comedy film written by Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo, directed by Paul Feig and produced by Judd Apatow, Barry Mendel, and Clayton Townsend. The plot centers on Annie .... |
Megan | Nominated— Teen Choice Awards for best Scene Stealer Female Teen Choice Awards The Teen Choice Awards, are an annual awards show that air on the Fox cable channel, that honor the year's biggest biggest achievements in music, movies, sports, television, fashion and more, voted by teen viewers aged 14 through 17. Winners receive an authentic full size surfboard designed with... Nominated— People's Choice Awards for Best Ensemble Cast People's Choice Awards The People's Choice Awards is an American awards show recognizing the people and the work of popular culture. The show has been held annually since 1975 and is voted on by the general public. The People's Choice Awards air on CBS and are produced by Procter & Gamble and Survivor magnate Mark Burnett... |
| 2012 | This is Forty | spin-off of 2007's Knocked Up Knocked Up Knocked Up is a 2007 American romantic comedy drama film co-produced, written, and directed by Judd Apatow. Starring Seth Rogen, Katherine Heigl, Paul Rudd, and Leslie Mann, the film follows the repercussions of a drunken one-night stand between Rogen's slacker character and Heigl's just-promoted... , Filming |
|
| ID Theft | Pre-production | ||
| 2013 | Tammy | Pre-production | |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Jenny Jenny (TV series) Jenny is an American sitcom that aired on NBC from 1997 to 1998. The series was intended to be a star vehicle for Playboy Playmate Jenny McCarthy.-Synopsis:... |
Melissa | Episode: "1.5" |
| 2000 | D.C. D.C. (TV series) D.C. is a short-lived American television series that premiered and ended in April 2000 on The WB Network.Mason Scott , a young man fresh out of college who has dreamed his entire life of coming to Washington, D.C.. He truly believes that he can make a difference in this world of questionable... |
Molly | Episode: "Justice" Episode: "Blame" |
| 2000-2007 | Gilmore Girls Gilmore Girls Gilmore Girls is an American family comedy-drama series created by Amy Sherman-Palladino, starring Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel. On October 5, 2000, the series debuted on The WB and was cancelled in its seventh season, ending on May 15, 2007 on The CW... |
Sookie St. James | 153 episodes |
| 2001 | Billy | Episode: "Mark of the Beast" | |
| 2002-2005 | Kim Possible Kim Possible Kim Possible is an American animated television series about a teenage crime fighter who has the task of dealing with worldwide, family, and school issues every day. The show is action-oriented, but also has a light-hearted atmosphere and often lampoons the conventions and clichés of the... |
DNAmy | voice Episodes: "Downhill", "Partners" and "Gorilla Fist" |
| 2004 | Curb Your Enthusiasm Curb Your Enthusiasm Curb Your Enthusiasm is an American comedy television series produced and broadcast by HBO, which premiered on October 15, 2000. As of 2011, it has completed 80 episodes over eight seasons. The series was created by Seinfeld co-creator Larry David, who stars as a fictionalized version of himself... |
Saleswoman | Episode: "The Surrogate" |
| 2007-2009 | Samantha Who? Samantha Who? Samantha Who? is an American television sitcom that originally aired on ABC from October 15, 2007 to July 23, 2009. The series was created by Cecelia Ahern and Don Todd, who also served as producers... |
Dena | 35 episodes |
| 2009 | Rita Rocks Rita Rocks Rita Rocks is a Lifetime original sitcom that premiered on October 20, 2008. It is the network's first original comedy in over a decade. The series debuted alongside re-runs of Reba as part of a new comedy hour for Tuesday nights, which later changed to Monday nights... |
Mindy Boone | Episode: "Why Can't We Be Friends?" |
| 2010 | Private Practice | Lynn McDonald | Episode: "Best Laid Plans" |
| 2010-present | Mike & Molly Mike & Molly Mike & Molly is an American sitcom created by Mark Roberts, which premiered on CBS on September 20, 2010. The series stars Billy Gardell and Melissa McCarthy as the title characters.-Premise:... |
Molly Flynn | Lead role Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series (2011) |
| 2011 | Saturday Night Live Saturday Night Live Saturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture... |
host | Episode: "Melissa McCarthy/Lady Antebellum" |