Melissa McCarthy won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her portrayal of Molly Flynn in Mike & Molly. She played the clumsy culinary genius Sookie St. James in Gilmore Girls, appeared as Dena in the television series, Samantha Who? and has guest starred on Curb Your Enthusiasm.
Recently, McCarthy starred in the feature film Bridesmaids, for which she has been nominated for a SAG Award and a Broadcast Film Critics Award. Her other film credits include The Back-Up Plan, Life As We Know It, The Nines, Just Add Water, Pretty Ugly People, White Oleander, Pumpkin, The Life of David Gale, Go and God.
McCarthy first made her mark on the comedy stage, performing stand-up in New York at The Improv and Stand Up New York. At the same time, she received dramatic training from The Actors Studio in New York and starred in a variety of stage productions throughout the city. In Los Angeles, McCarthy spent nine years as a main-stage member of the world-renowned improv and sketch troupe The Groundlings.
Recently, McCarthy sold a movie pitch to Paramount Pictures for a story about a group of mid-western women who set out to steal the Stanley Cup. Also, she completed writing a feature entitled Tammy, in which she will play the title role, and a television pilot, Stage Mom. In addition, she is designing her first clothing line.
Born in Plainfield, Ill., just outside of Chicago, McCarthy was raised on a corn and soybean farm. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two daughters.
Hometown: Plainfield, IL