Born on August 26, 1970, in Plainfield, Illinois, Melissa Ann McCarthy is the daughter of Michael and Sandra McCarthy. Raised on a farm in rural Illinois, she comes from an Irish Catholic background. McCarthy attended St. Francis Academy in Joliet, Illinois, where she was also a cheerleader. She later enrolled at Southern Illinois University to study textiles, maintaining an early interest in fashion and design.
McCarthy initially pursued a career in fashion, moving to New York City to explore opportunities in the field. While there, she developed a talent for comedy and began performing as a stand-up comedian in various premier clubs. To refine her acting skills, she took classes at The Actor’s Studio and appeared in several stage productions. Her commitment to acting eventually led her to relocate to Los Angeles to pursue a full-time career in entertainment.
Melissa McCarthy made her television debut in 1997 on the series Jenny, playing the role of Melissa. She gained widespread recognition in 2000 with her portrayal of Sookie St. James in the critically acclaimed series Gilmore Girls. Her television roles include Dena in Samantha Who? (2007–2009) and Molly Flynn in the popular sitcom Mike & Molly (2010–2016), for which she won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.
Other notable television appearances include roles in D.C. (2000), Curb Your Enthusiasm (2004), Rita Rocks (2009), Private Practice (2010), and The Penguins of Madagascar (2012). She has also hosted Saturday Night Live multiple times since 2011, earning critical acclaim for her comedic performances. McCarthy reprised her beloved role as Sookie St. James in Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life (2016).
| Birth Date: | 26 Aug, 1970 |
| Age: | 49 yrs |
| Citizenship: | United States of America |
| Birth Place: | Plainfield |
| residence: | Los Angeles |
| Education: | Joliet Catholic Academy Southern Illinois University |
| Gender: | Female |
| Description: | American actress and comedian |
| Twitter Id: | Melissamccarthy |
| Spouse: | Ben Falcone [M. 2005] |
| Net Worth 2021: | 90 million |
