Melissa McCarthy

Melissa McCarthy

McCarthy in September 2012
Born Melissa Ann McCarthy
August 26, 1970[1]
Plainfield, Illinois, U.S.
Residence Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Nationality American
Occupation Actress, comedian, writer, producer
Years active 1997–present
Spouse(s) Ben Falcone (m. 2005)
Children 2
Relatives Jenny McCarthy (cousin), Joanne McCarthy (cousin)

Melissa Ann McCarthy (born August 26, 1970) is an American actress, comedian, writer and producer.

McCarthy first gained recognition for her role as Sookie St. James on the television series Gilmore Girls (2000-07). On the ABC sitcom Samantha Who? she portrayed Dena, (2007-09). McCarthy was then cast as Molly Flynn-Biggs on the CBS sitcom Mike & Molly, a role that earned her a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series,[2] as well as two award nominations during subsequent seasons. McCarthy has also been nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for her work as host on Saturday Night Live three years consecutively.

McCarthy achieved major success and fame for her breakthrough film role as Megan Price in the 2011 comedy hit Bridesmaids, which garnered her numerous award nominations including an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, a BAFTA nomination and a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.[3] In 2013, she co-starred in the films Identity Thief and The Heat. She also appeared in the films The Nines, The Back-up Plan, Life as We Know It, and The Hangover Part III. In 2014, McCarthy starred in the comedy Tammy and the comedy-drama film St. Vincent.[4] McCarthy will also headline the upcoming action comedy Spy, which is scheduled for a June 5, 2015 release. She is the founder of the production company On the Day with her husband Ben Falcone.

Early life

Melissa Ann McCarthy was born in Plainfield, Illinois,[5] the daughter of Sandra and Michael McCarthy.[6][7] She is a cousin of actress/model Jenny McCarthy.[8] McCarthy was raised on a farm, in a "big, Irish-Catholic family".[9][10] Some of her ancestors were from County Cork.[11] She graduated from St. Francis Academy (now Joliet Catholic Academy) in Joliet, Illinois.[12] Her career started with stand-up comedy and includes film, television and theater.[13] McCarthy is an alumna of The Groundlings, an improvisational and sketch comedy troupe based in Los Angeles, California.

Career

1997–2010

McCarthy made her first television appearance in an episode of the NBC comedy series Jenny, opposite her cousin Jenny McCarthy. She made her feature film debut in a supporting role of 1998 comedy Go, and later had roles in the movies Drowning Mona, Disney's The Kid, Charlie's Angels, The Third Wheel and The Life of David Gale. She also did voice work in three episodes of Kim Possible, where she played DNAmy.

In 2000, McCarthy was cast as Sookie St. James, the control freak and scatterbrain/klutzy best friend of Lorelai Gilmore on the The WB television series Gilmore Girls. The series ended after seven seasons, in 2007. In 2007, she starred opposite Ryan Reynolds in the science fantasy psychological thriller The Nines, written and directed by John August. She later starred in the independent comedies The Captain, Just Add Water, and Pretty Ugly People.[14] From 2007 to 2009, McCarthy starred as Dena on the ABC sitcom Samantha Who? She also guest starred in Rita Rocks in 2009, and on Private Practice in 2010.[15] In 2010, McCarthy played supporting roles in films The Back-Up Plan and Life as We Know It.

McCarthy at the 2012 Oscars

2011–2012

In early 2010, McCarthy was cast in the leading role as Molly Flynn on the CBS sitcom Mike & Molly.[16] In 2011, McCarthy had a breakout performance in the comedy movie Bridesmaids alongside Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Rose Byrne, Wendi McLendon-Covey and Ellie Kemper. McCarthy received an Academy Award nomination for her performance. In fall 2011, after achieving fame from Bridesmaids, she received her first Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her role on Mike & Molly.[17][18] In June 2011, she hosted the Women in Film Crystal + Lucy Awards.[19] McCarthy later had supporting roles in This Is 40 (2012), the semi-sequel to Judd Apatow's film Knocked Up,[20] and The Hangover Part III (2013). She was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in June 2012 along with 175 other individuals.[21]

McCarthy hosted Saturday Night Live on October 1, 2011, again on April 6, 2013, and a third time on February 1, 2014.[22] She was nominated three times for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for her appearances on the television show from 2012-2014.[18]

2013–present

In 2013, McCarthy co-starred in Identity Thief with Jason Bateman.[23][24] Identity Thief opened at #1 at the box office, and grossed $174 million worldwide.[25] Later in 2013, she co-starred with Sandra Bullock in The Heat. The film was released in the United States and Canada on June 28, 2013 to both critical and commercial success.[26] With McCarthy being called "box office gold, The Heat grossed $229 million worldwide.[27]

McCarthy with Ben Falcone in 2007

McCarthy co-wrote the script for the movie Tammy, which was released on July 2, 2014. McCarthy starred in the movie, about a woman who loses her job and her car, and then learns that her husband has been unfaithful. To get away, McCarthy's character is forced to rely on her alcoholic grandmother for transportation (played by Susan Sarandon) as they embark on a journey of self-discovery.[28]

McCarthy has also produced a CBS pilot, which starred her husband, Ben Falcone.[29]

McCarthy played the female lead, opposite Bill Murray, in the 2014 comedy-drama film St. Vincent, directed and written by Theodore Melfi.[30] In addition to this, McCarthy will be the lead in frequent collaborator Paul Feig's spy comedy Spy previously known as Susan Cooper,[31] set to be released Memorial Day weekend of 2015.[32]

McCarthy is the founder of the production company On the Day with her husband Ben Falcone.[4] Tammy was first project of her company. The film cost $20 million, a quite low budget, and McCarthy, who can command close to $10 million a role—took a smaller upfront salary in exchange for a larger-than-normal cut of the film's proceeds, according to people familiar with the deal.[33] McCarthy also announced that in March 2015 she will film Michelle Darnell, a comedy film based on a character McCarthy first created in the Los Angeles Groundlings, about "a self-help inspiration speaker (a la Suze Orman or Oprah) who goes to jail for insider trading, and struggles to reinvent herself as America’s new sweetheart when she’s released".[4] She also announced The Memory of Running, based on the Ron McLarty novel about a war veteran on a cross-country bike pilgrimage, Cousin Irv based on the book by Bruce Eric Kaplan, and Just Do It. In Just Do It, McCarthy set to star as "wife who tries to repair her marriage with her husband through 100 days of continuous sex".[4]

On November 19, 2014, announced that McCarthy will star as eponymous fairy heroine Tinker Bell in the untitled comedy-adventure directing by Shawn Levy.[34] She is also set to produce this film.[35]

On January 9, 2015 it was announced that McCarthy will star in Paul Feig's comedy-mystery film Ghostbusters III.[36][37] On January 27, 2015, it was announced that McCarthy had signed for the lead role in the all-female reboot of Ghostbusters directed by Paul Feig,[38] where she will portray Patty, a New York City Subway worker.[39]

Personal life

McCarthy married her longtime boyfriend, Ben Falcone, an actor and alumnus of The Groundlings, on October 8, 2005.[40][41] Falcone often makes cameo appearances in movies starring McCarthy, such as Bridesmaids and The Heat. Together, they have two daughters; Vivian born in 2007 and Georgette born in 2010.[42][43] McCarthy's pregnancy with Vivian was written into the last season of Gilmore Girls.

Filmography

Film

Year Film Role Notes
1998 God Margaret Short film
1999 Go Sandra
2000 Charlie's Angels Doris (in Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle bloopers)
2000 Drowning Mona Shirley
2000 Auto Motives Tonnie Short film
2000 Disney's The Kid Sky King Waitress
2002 Pumpkin Cici Pinkus
2002 Third Wheel, TheThe Third Wheel Marilyn
2002 White Oleander Paramedic
2003 Life of David Gale, TheThe Life of David Gale Nico the Goth Girl
2003 Chicken Party Tot Wagner
2003 Kim Possible: The Secret Files DNAmy Voice
2003 Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle Woman at Crime Scene Bloopers (Credits)
2006 Cook-Off! Amber Strang
2007 Nines, TheThe Nines Margaret / Melissa / Mary
2007 The Captain Fran
2008 Just Add Water Selma
2008 Pretty Ugly People Becky
2010 Back-Up Plan, TheThe Back-Up Plan Carol
2010 Life as We Know It DeeDee
2011 Bridesmaids Megan Price
2012 This Is 40 Catherine
2013 Identity Thief Diana/Dawn Budgie
2013 The Hangover Part III Cassy
2013 The Heat Det. Shannon Mullins
2014 Tammy Tammy Banks Also screenwriter and executive producer
2014 St. Vincent Maggie Bronstein
2015 Spy Susan Cooper
2016 Michelle Darnell Michelle Darnell Also screenwriter and executive producer
2016 Ghostbusters Patty
TBA B.O.O.: Bureau of Otherworldly Operations Watts Voice

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1997 Jenny Melissa Episode: "1.5"
2000 D.C. Molly 2 episodes
2000–2007 Gilmore Girls Sookie St. James 122 episodes
2002–2005 Kim Possible DNAmy (voice) 3 episodes
2004 Curb Your Enthusiasm Saleswoman Episode: "The Surrogate"
2007–2009 Samantha Who? Dena 35 episodes
2009 Rita Rocks Mindy Boone Episode: "Why Can't We Be Friends?"
2010 Private Practice Lynn McDonald Episode: "Best Laid Plans"
2010–present Mike & Molly Molly Flynn 110 episodes
2011–2014 Saturday Night Live Host 3 episodes
2012 The Penguins of Madagascar Shelley Episode: "Hair Apparent/Love Takes Flightless"

Awards and nominations

Throughout her career McCarthy has received 74 nominations out of which she has won 20. For her work in Bridesmaids, McCarthy was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actress and a Outstanding Supporting Actress. Along with the cast of Bridesmaids she has received a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination, a Critics' Choice Award nomination and numerous other critics group nominations for Best Ensemble. She is also a recipient of Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 2011 for her performance in the Television Series, Mike & Molly.

Year Association Category Nominated Work Result
2011 Boston Society of Film Critics Awards Best Supporting Actress Bridesmaids Won
Chicago Film Critics Association Awards Best Supporting Actress Nominated
Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Awards Best Supporting Actress Nominated
Denver Film Critics Society Awards Best Supporting Actress Nominated
Houston Film Critics Society Awards Best Supporting Actress Nominated
Village Voice Film Poll Best Supporting Actress 2nd Place
Women Film Critics Circle Best Comedic Actress Won
Washington DC Area Film Critics Association Awards Best Cast Won
Best Supporting Actress Nominated
Satellite Awards Best Actress in a Series Comedy or Musical Mike & Molly Nominated
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Won
2012 Academy Awards Best Actress in a Supporting Role Bridesmaids Nominated
Alliance of Women Film Journalists Best Ensemble Nominated
BAFTA Awards Best Actress in a Supporting Role Nominated
Critics' Choice Movie Awards Best Cast Nominated
Best Supporting Actress Nominated
Dorian Awards Rising Star Award Nominated
Iowa Film Critics Best Supporting Actress Won
MTV Movie Awards Best Comedic Performance Won
Best WTF Moment Won
Breakthrough Performance Nominated
Online Film Critics Society Best Supporting Actress Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture Nominated
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture Nominated
Santa Barbara International Film Festival Virtuoso Awards Won
Vancouver Film Critics Circle Best Supporting Actress Nominated
TV Guide Awards Favorite Actress Mike & Molly Nominated
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated
Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series Saturday Night Live Nominated

References

  1. ↑ "Monitor". Entertainment Weekly (1274). Aug 30, 2013. p. 20.
  2. ↑ "And the 2011 Emmy Award Nominees Are". Tvfanatic.com. 2011-07-14. Retrieved 2012-01-08.
  3. ↑ Oscar nominations announced for supporting actress
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 "Melissa McCarthy and Ben Falcone Preview 5 New Film Projects - Variety". Variety. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
  5. ↑ "Melissa McCarthy Biography". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2008-04-29.
  6. ↑ "Melissa Mccarthy: Her Moment to Shine" March 21, 2011, People Magazine
  7. ↑ "Bob Newhart just can't stand still" September 19, 2002, Herald News
  8. ↑ "Melissa McCarthy Is Having Her Moment" September 28, 2011, Hollywood Reporter
  9. ↑ "Bio.com". Retrieved 20 November 2014.
  10. ↑ "‘Mike and Molly’s’ Melissa McCarthy Finds Super-Sized Success" March 22, 2011, LifeScript.com
  11. ↑ Danaher, Patricia (2013-05-24). "Melissa McCarthy: The Scene Stealer Goes Center Stage". Irish America. Retrieved 2013-11-18.
  12. ↑ "From JCA to CBS: Emmy winner got acting bug at Joliet school" September 21, 2011, The Herald News
  13. ↑ "Melissa McCarthy Biography". Movies.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2012-01-08.
  14. ↑ "Pretty Ugly People". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 2013-11-18.
  15. ↑ Barrett, Annie (2009-11-16). "Exclusive: 'Private Practice' makes perfect with 'Gilmore' girl Melissa McCarthy | Inside TV | EW.com". Insidetv.ew.com. Retrieved 2013-11-18.
  16. ↑ Barrett, Annie (2010-03-25). "Melissa McCarthy lands lead in CBS comedy pilot. Yay! But wait... | PopWatch | EW.com". Popwatch.ew.com. Retrieved 2013-11-18.
  17. ↑ "Emmys: Did 'Bridesmaids' help Melissa McCarthy pull off an upset? - latimes.com". Latimesblogs.latimes.com. 2011-09-20. Retrieved 2013-11-18.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 "Melissa McCarthy Emmy Award Winner". Emmys.com. Retrieved 2012-01-08.
  19. ↑ "CRYSTAL + LUCY AWARDS 2011". Wif.org. Retrieved 2012-01-08.
  20. ↑ Uddin, Zakia (2011-07-08). "Melissa McCarthy to star in 'Knocked Up' sequel". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2011-07-30.
  21. ↑ "Academy Invites 176 to Membership". The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. June 29, 2012. Retrieved July 19, 2013.
  22. ↑ Fowler, Tara (April 7, 2013). "Saturday Night Live recap: Melissa McCarthy brought the heat and hammed it up". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
  23. ↑ 2 Like7 Dislike0 Aug 15, 2011 by Brian Gallagher (2011-08-15). "ID Theft Gets Jason Bateman and Melissa McCarthy". Movieweb.com. Retrieved 2012-01-08.
  24. ↑ "Jason Bateman and Melissa McCarthy To Execute ID Theft". Thefilmstage.com. 2011-08-16. Retrieved 2012-01-08.
  25. ↑ Identity Thief at Box Office Mojo
  26. ↑ "The Heat". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 2013-11-18.
  27. ↑ "The Heat (2013)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 2013-11-18.
  28. ↑ Jeff, Leins (November 7, 2011). "Melissa McCarthy Striking Out with Tammy". News in Film. Retrieved 2011-12-10.
  29. ↑ NELLIE, ANDREEVA (September 19, 2011). "Next For Emmy Winner Melissa McCarthy: Co-Creating Comedy Series For CBS". Deadline.com. Retrieved 2011-12-10.
  30. ↑ "Melissa McCarthy May Join The Congregation Of 'St. Vincent De Van Nuys' With Bill Murray | The Playlist". Blogs.indiewire.com. Retrieved 2013-11-18.
  31. ↑ Ford, Rebecca (2013-07-25). "Melissa McCarthy in Talks to Join Paul Feig's 'Susan Cooper'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2013-11-18.
  32. ↑ Cunningham, Todd (2013-11-12). "Melissa McCarthy Spy Spoof ‘Susan Cooper’ Gets Key 2015 Release Date - Yahoo Movies". Movies.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2013-11-18.
  33. ↑ Ben Fritz (26 June 2014). "Melissa McCarthy Is Hollywood's Unlikely Leading Lady". WSJ. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
  34. ↑ Mike Fleming Jr. "Melissa McCarthy Starring as Tinker Bell In Movie Directed by Shawn Levy - Deadline". Deadline. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
  35. ↑ "Melissa McCarthy Tinker Bell Movie: McCarthy to Star in Film for Fox - Variety". Variety. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
  36. ↑ "Melissa McCarthy for Ghostbusters 3". DC. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
  37. ↑ "Melissa McCarthy for Ghostbusters 3". BD. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
  38. ↑ "Melissa McCarthy for Ghostbusters". Retrieved 27 January 2014.
  39. ↑ "Melissa McCarthy is playing Patty, an NYC subway worker". Retrieved 27 January 2014.
  40. ↑ Arieanna (2005-10-22). "Melissa McCarthy gets married!!". Gilmore News. Retrieved 2011-07-30.
  41. ↑ "BEN FALCONE". 2011. Retrieved 2011-07-30.
  42. ↑ Sarah (2007-05-14). "A daughter for Gilmore Girls' Melissa McCarthy". Celebrity Baby Blog. Archived from the original on 2007-11-15. Retrieved 2011-07-30.
  43. ↑ Scott Huver: "Melissa McCarthy: I'm Not a Great Pregnant Woman", People, August 15, 2010

External links

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