Bridesmaids, Spy, Tammy
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$60 Million
"You don't always have to take yourself so seriously." Melissa McCarthy is, in a word, hilarious and that is entirely by design. The famous comedian has been plying her trade in the world of film since 1997. Yet, it wasn't until 2011 that Melissa McCarthy really managed to break out of her shell. McCarthy was originally pegged as nothing more than a slapstick comedic asset, yet she is now the recipient of two Primetime Emmy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards and a pair of Academy Awards.
Melissa McCarthy made her break on television when she was cast in the NBC series, Jenny. What followed would be fourteen years of grinding effort as McCarthy worked her way through the television world, eventually finding her major break in the hit comedic film, Bridesmaids (2011). Now, Melissa is one of the most famous female leads in Hollywood, and she is showing no signs of slowing down.
How did Melissa McCarthbecome one of the most unlikely Hollywood stars in recent memory? Let's find out!
An Aspiring Comedian
Melissa McCarthy was welcomed into the world on August 26, 1970, in the sleepy town of Plainfield, Illinois. McCarthy was raised Catholic, and she would spend the majority of her early childhood on the family farm. Her parents both had Irish ancestry with some of their forebears coming over from County Cork in Ireland. As far as prominent relations go, McCarthy is also the cousin of the famous model, Jenny McCarthy.
Melissa McCarthy would go on to attend St. Francis Academy in Joliet, IL. It was there that McCarthy began to truly fall in love with the theatrical arts. Eventually, McCarthy would outgrow her small farm town as she had aspirations of becoming a professional actor. McCarthy would move to New York where she would begin performing with the legendary improv group, The Groundlings. While in New York City, McCarthy would try her hand at stand-up comedy. She routinely performed at clubs around the city like Stand Up New York and The Improv. During this period of her life, McCarthy was also training at The Actors Studio while sharpening her skills with various stage plays.
Eventually, McCarthy knew that she had to make the move to Los Angeles in order to properly pursue her career. In 1997, McCarthy decided to go for it all.
From Comedian to Celebrated Actress
Once Melissa McCarthy made her way into Los Angeles, she was quick to start grinding. She made her debut on television opposite her cousin, Jenny McCarthy, in the aptly named NBC comedy, Jenny. While the show would not move the needle for her career, it would give McCarthy her first taste of mainstream work. From there, McCarthy was determined to appear in, well, everything. Melissa began to cut her teeth with minor roles in a variety of film projects including Drowning Mona (2000), Disney's The Kid (2000), The Life of David Gale (2003), and Charlies Angels (2002).
While McCarthy was seemingly content to carve out a niche role as a character actor, Hollywood had other plans for her. McCarthy would earn a starring role in the cult-classic television show, Gilmore Girls (2000). The role would put McCarthy on the map, and she would appear in over 150 episodes. McCarthy had officially arrived, but she really hadn't even begun to leave her mark.
In 2007, McCarthy would star in The Nines alongside Ryan Reynolds. The sci-fi thriller received largely positive reviews and it would serve as McCarthy's first major role on film. McCarthy would parlay that role into another series regular position on the show Samantha Who? On the TV show, McCarthy played a ditzy and awkward girl named Dena. McCarthy showed her cutting wit and impressive comedic timing over the course of 35 episodes.
Suddenly, Melissa's life began to change in an incredible way. It all began with a phone call in 2010 from the producers behind a new sitcom at CBS. She had been chosen for the leading role on the TV series, Mike & Molly. The show would become a runaway success due to the easy chemistry between Melissa McCarthy and her co-star, Billy Gardell. The duo would win a pair of Primetime Emmy's for their work. In 2010, at the peak of the show's popularity, McCarthy would be asked to co-star in the film, Bridesmaids. The film was set up as the anti-Hangover as it starred an almost exclusively female cast. Alongside Ellie Kemper, Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne, and Kristen Wiig, Melissa McCarthy would be the one to steal the show. Her performance was considered bold and representative of the best aspects of physical comedy. McCarthy would win an Emmy Award for her work in the film.
After Mike & Molly wrapped in 2016, McCarthy was back in action with an array of new projects. McCarthy would earn her first Golden Globe nomination for her work in the Paul Feig vehicle, Spy (2015). The film starred McCarthy as an adept secret agent across from Jason Statham's slightly idiotic but physically imposing master of assassination. The film showed a different side of McCarthy and it would go on to receive high praise both commercially and critically. Fans and critics alike celebrated the film for not using Melissa's weight as a punchline.
While McCarthy was earning her stripes as a comedic powerhouse, she was also touching the nerve of the President of the United States. McCarthy was brought in by Saturday Night Live (2016) in order to portray then-Press Secretary, Sean Spicer. McCarthy would appear as the caricature three separate times, eventually gaining the notice of President Trump's White House. Despite the partisan divide at the time, McCarthy's portrayal was generally well-received on both sides of the political spectrum.
McCarthy has seemingly always been ready to seize opportunities as they come, and to no surprise, she did so once again. In 2016, Julianne Moore dropped out of the film Can You Ever Forgive Me? The film detailed the life of Lee Israel, a celebrity biographer. McCarthy would step into Lee's shoes before fundamentally shocking the world. McCarthy received glowing reviews for her performance. She was celebrated as a fearless and credible dramatic actor. McCarthy would end up being nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress. Now, McCarthy is slated to play Ursula in the 2020 remake of The Little Mermaid.
Melissa McCarthy is married to former The Groundlings member, Ben Falcone. The two have been together since 2005, and they have a pair of daughters, Vivian and Georgette. Falcone will occasionally appear in a cameo capacity in Melissa's work. McCarthy and husband Ben also have their own production company together.
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