Melissa McCarthy's story is one of grit, talent, and undeniable charm. Born in Illinois, she remained there until she graduated from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. With dreams bigger than the Midwest, she moved to Los Angeles, diving into the world of acting. Her first taste of the spotlight was with The Groundlings, an improv group that launched her career. She soon snagged a TV gig on the sitcom Jenny, alongside her cousin Jenny McCarthy, before making her silver screen debut in 1999's Go.
Melissa's big break came in 2000, playing Sookie St. James on the beloved show Gilmore Girls. This role was a springboard to future opportunities in films like The Nines and Pretty Ugly People. By 2007, she was leading the charge in Samantha Who?, and in 2010, she scored the main role in Mike & Molly. The following year, Melissa's career hit new heights with her Emmy-winning performance in Mike & Molly and her unforgettable role in Bridesmaids, which led to an Oscar nomination.
“Melissa McCarthy is a force in comedy and drama alike, proving that talent and hard work pay off.”
Melissa's accolades don't stop at the Emmy. She has been nominated for an Academy Award, a BAFTA, Critics' Choice, and Screen Actors Guild Awards, and has won the Boston Society of Film Critics and MTV Movie Awards. She's also graced the SNL stage as host six times. In 2013, she and her husband Ben Falcone launched On the Day Productions, securing deals with Warner Brothers and Netflix. Not stopping there, she launched the Melissa McCarthy Seven7 clothing line.
In 2015, Melissa was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was the third highest-paid actress, according to Forbes, raking in $23 million. Her Golden Globe win for Spy and roles in films like Ghostbusters and The Little Mermaid have solidified her status as a powerhouse in entertainment. With a net worth of $90 million, Melissa McCarthy's journey from Illinois to Hollywood is nothing short of inspiring.