- Born
- Birth nameMelissa Ann McCarthy
- Height5′ 2″ (1.57 m)
- Melissa McCarthy was born in Plainfield, Illinois, to Sandra and Michael McCarthy, and was raised on her family's corn and soybean farm. She began her performing career as a stand-up comedian in New York where she appeared at the famous clubs, Stand Up New York and The Improv. She worked on her acting skills at The Actors Studio and appeared in many stage productions in the city before moving to Los Angeles in the late-1990s. She made a number of TV and movie appearances before making her big breakthrough as Sookie in Gilmore Girls (2000). A steady stream of comedy performances followed, leading to her starring role in the sitcom Mike & Molly (2010).
In the 2010s, McCarthy became known for her starring roles in the films Bridesmaids (2011), The Heat (2013), St. Vincent (2014), Spy (2015), Ghostbusters (2016), and Can You Ever Forgive Me? (2018).- IMDb mini biography by: IMDb Editors
- SpouseBen Falcone(October 8, 2005 - present) (2 children)
- Children
- ParentsSandra McCarthyMichael McCarthy
- RelativesAmy McCarthy(Cousin)Lynette McCarthy(Cousin)Joanne McCarthy(Cousin)Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg(Cousin)Margie McCarthy(Sibling)Jenna Perusich(Cousin)Daniel McCarthy(Aunt or Uncle)
- Often does physical comedy
- Her favorite film is Planes, Trains & Automobiles (1987).
- Fourth highest-paid actress of 2017 with $18 million.
- In January 2019, she was nominated for both Golden Raspberry Awards and Academy Awards in 24 hours.
- Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6927 Hollywood Blvd. on 5/19/2015.
- Grew up on a farm and loved playing tennis.
- [on wardrobe problems] I want separates, for the love of God, because everything's like a bad prom dress. You can find a million bad sleeveless dresses in satin. I'm like "Where's a good blouse and a great trouser?".
- I believe it matters how you treat people. I believe in Heaven.
- [harsh review from a critic focusing on her weight] I felt really bad for someone who is swimming in so much hate. I just thought, that's someone who's in a really bad spot, and I am in such a happy spot. I laugh my head off every day with my husband and my kids who are mooning me and singing me songs.
- You push so far past the normal boundaries of what's okay in society. I'm always fully aware of "You can't do this." When someone really believes in what they're saying, but it's crazy, it's like my favorite thing on earth... Crazy's just crazy and there's nowhere to go. You can have a point of view, it can be very strange, but we have to know your reasoning.
- I grew up with funny and interesting women, and my friends are funny, interesting women. So I can't think of any story where those women don't come into play. It's the same as how I can't imagine writing a story with no men. It's just not real.
- Ghostbusters (2016) - $14,000,000
- The Heat (2013) - $2,500,000
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