Melissa McCarthy biography, husband, weight loss, kids, net worth, age, now 2025

Melissa McCarthy Biography

Melissa McCarthy is an American actress, comedian, screenwriter, producer, and fashion designer. She gained popularity for her roles in movies such as "Bridesmaids" (2011), "The Heat" (2013), "Spy" (2015), and "Ghostbusters" (2016).

Early Years

Melissa Ann McCarthy was born on August 26, 1970, in Plainfield, Illinois, USA. She grew up on a farm in a large Catholic family. Her father, Michael, descended from Irish immigrants, while her mother Sandy's relatives included English, Irish, and Germans.

Melissa was an active, creative girl who always seized the opportunity to make everyone laugh. Her parents, adoring their daughter, encouraged her pursuit of the stage. "I used to perform for my poor mother while she cleaned and did laundry. I was always coming up with funny songs," Melissa recalls.

Notably, her cousin Jenny McCarthy also became an actress, known for "Dirty Love" and "Scary Movie 3".

Another passion of McCarthy's was fashion. After high school, she attended Southern Illinois University, majoring in Textile and Costume Arts. In her youth, Melissa worked as a costume designer for dance shows until her desire to become an actress overshadowed her interest in pursuing a career in fashion.

Acting Career

Melissa began performing on stage in Los Angeles. Here, the actress honed her skills at The Groundlings school, which specialized in improvisational comedy and sketch shows. Alumni from this school include Jennifer Coolidge, Will Ferrell, and Lisa Kudrow.

Melissa McCarthy on stage at The Groundlings theatre

McCarthy first appeared on television in 1997, featuring in an episode of the comedy series "The Jenny McCarthy Show". This sketch show was founded by her cousin Jenny, who had already made a name for herself as a Playboy star.

Young Melissa McCarthy in a behind the scenes look at the Jenny McCarthy show.

Two years later, Melissa made her film debut in the comedy "Go", which also featured young Katie Holmes and Sarah Polley. In the early 2000s, the charismatic actress was invited to many projects, albeit for supporting roles. Thus, Melissa appeared in films such as "Drowning Mona" with Danny DeVito, the philosophical drama "Disney's The Kid" with Bruce Willis, Alan Parker's detective film "The Life of David Gale" and the cult film "Charlie's Angels" with Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore and Lucy Liu.

However, most television viewers remember McCarthy for her role as Sookie St. James, the optimistic friend and colleague of Lorelai Gilmore (Lauren Graham), in the comedy-drama series "Gilmore Girls". Melissa's character appears in all seven seasons, and McCarthy also appeared in the series continuation "Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life" in 2016.

Melissa McCarthy Reveals WORST Part of Filming Gilmore Girls

In 2007, McCarthy co-starred with Ryan Reynolds in the sci-fi psychological thriller "The Nines" about people whose lives are mysteriously connected by the number "nine". The film also featured Hope Davis and Elle Fanning. That same year, McCarthy starred in the ABC series "Samantha Who?" with Christina Applegate.

Melissa McCarthy in the thriller 'The Nines'

The real breakthrough in the actress's career happened in 2010 when she was cast in the lead role in the sitcom "Mike & Molly". The series was produced by Chuck Lorre, creator of popular projects "Two and a Half Men" and "The Big Bang Theory". The story centered around police officer Mike Biggs (Billy Gardell) and his loved one Molly Flynn (Melissa McCarthy), an elementary school teacher. Both meet at an Overeaters Anonymous meeting, supporting each other in their quest to lose weight and overcoming other life temptations.

Melissa McCarthy in the sitcom 'Mike & Molly'

Along with her character, Melissa was also losing weight - she managed to lose about 77 lbs since the beginning of the shoot, thanks to a high-protein, low-carb diet, regular exercise, and a "super-boring life", which includes a 7:30 pm curfew. For her role in this series, which aired until 2016, the actress received an Emmy (subsequently, the actress will be nominated five more times).

During the filming of 'Mike & Molly', Melissa managed to lose about 77 lbs

Another significant role in McCarthy's career was in the comedy "Bridesmaids". In the film about the adventures of the bride's girlfriends, the actress appeared as the rough and simple-hearted Megan, the groom's sister. The script for the film was written by comedian Kristen Wiig, also a graduate of The Groundlings school and a star of the sketch show "Saturday Night Live". She also played the lead role. The charming comedy was warmly received by critics. The film was awarded several prizes, and Melissa received three awards at various film festivals as the best supporting actress.

Melissa McCarthy in the comedy 'Bridesmaids'

After such success, McCarthy began to get more significant and interesting roles, and the number of fans grew day by day. In 2013, she played the lead role in the road movie "Identity Thief" with Jason Bateman. Despite negative reviews, the film topped the box office and grossed $174 million worldwide. That same year, the actress could be seen with Sandra Bullock in the comedy "The Heat". Critics jokingly called McCarthy "box office gold" - the film was commercially successful, making even more money than "Identity Thief".

Identity Thief - Singing to the Radio

That same year, McCarthy and her husband Ben Falcone founded the production company "On the Day". Their first film was "Tammy", for which Melissa wrote the script (she also got the lead role), and Falcone served as the director. McCarthy's character loses her job and car, and on top of that, discovers her husband's infidelity. The woman is forced to seek refuge with her alcoholic grandmother (Susan Sarandon), whose cherished dream is to see Niagara Falls.

Melissa McCarthy on the set of the movie 'Tammy'

Then McCarthy played the lead role in the dramatic comedy "St. Vincent" with Bill Murray and starred in Paul Feig's comedy "Spy", the creator of "Bridesmaids" and "The Heat". Her role in the spy comedy with Rose Byrne, Jason Statham and Jude Law earned Melissa her first Golden Globe nomination (although the award went to Jennifer Lawrence).

Melissa McCarthy Got Injured in the Most Ridiculous Way on the Spy Set

A major event for Melissa was that in May 2015, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In August of the same year, the actress ranked third in the list of the highest-paid actresses according to Forbes.

In May 2015, Melissa McCarthy received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

In 2016, McCarthy starred in the film "The Boss", directed by her husband Ben. The actress appeared as a wealthy businesswoman who ends up in jail, burning on shadow deals. The "younger version" of Melissa's character was played in the film by the actress's 9-year-old daughter, Vivian.

Melissa McCarthy in the movie 'The Boss'

That same year, Melissa worked again with Paul Feig on his female version of "Ghostbusters". Apart from her long-time colleague Kristen Wiig, the film featured Chris Hemsworth, and comedians Kate McKinnon and Leslie Jones. The film received mixed reactions from viewers - many were openly dissatisfied with the unjustified substitution of the canon and the feminist component of the picture.

Ghostbusters (2016) - Abby's Possessed Scene

In May 2018, the premiere of Ben Falcone's film "Life of the Party", the actress's husband, in which she played the lead role, took place in the USA. The actress appeared as a middle-aged divorced woman who returns to college to finish her education. In September of that same year, Melissa could be seen in the action-comedy "The Happytime Murders" about crimes in Los Angeles, involving stars of a popular TV show from the 90s.

On October 19, 2018, the comedy-drama "Can You Ever Forgive Me?" based on the memoirs of Lee Israel (portrayed by McCarthy), America's most famous biographer, was released in the USA. For this role, the actress was nominated for an Oscar.

Melissa McCarthy Gives Advice to Strangers on the Internet

In 2019, with Melissa's participation, the premiere of the crime drama "The Kitchen" about the wives of New York gangsters in the 1970s took place, and in 2020 the actress could be noticed in Ben Falcone's comedy "Superintelligence". Both films were overlooked by cinephiles, and their rating according to Kinopoisk was just over 5.

Superintelligence Cast: Melissa McCarthy, James Corden, Ben Falcone & More

At the same time, the premiere of the mini-series "Nine Perfect Strangers", in which McCarthy played a small role, took place.

One of the most discussed recent projects featuring Melissa was the Netflix film "Thunder Force". The surprising thing for network users was the participation of plus-size actresses, performing the roles of superheroes, among which Melissa was included.

The Funniest Bloopers From Thunder Force ft. Melissa McCarthy

Fashion Industry

In collaboration with Sunrise Brands, Melissa McCarthy launched her first clothing collection "Melissa McCarthy Seven7" for plus-size women in 2015, a category to which the actress herself belongs. McCarthy stated, "There are people whose clothing size is larger than XXL. It's very unpleasant when you can't dress the way you like if you need a larger size."

Melissa McCarthy's Personal Life

In October 2005, Melissa McCarthy married her long-time boyfriend, Ben Falcone, an actor and graduate of The Groundlings. The couple has two daughters, Vivian (born 2007) and Georgette (born 2010).

Melissa McCarthy with her husband Ben Falcone

McCarthy's husband often appears in the projects she's involved in: his minor roles can be seen in the 3rd season of "Gilmore Girls", in the movies "Bridesmaids" (airplane scene), "The Heat" and 15 others.

Melissa McCarthy with her husband and children

Melissa does not feel insecure about her weight and does not attempt to lose it.

I just want to be healthy and feel good. I don't have a goal to lose weight to a specific number, says McCarthy.

Melissa McCarthy Now

In 2023, Melissa McCarthy was seen in the Disney film remake of "The Little Mermaid". She played the underwater witch, Ursula. While the lead actress, Halle Bailey, faced criticism for her casting (primarily due to skin color), viewers considered McCarthy's portrayal as a perfect fit for the character.

Melissa McCarthy as Ursula from 'The Little Mermaid'

Additionally, McCarthy played the lead role in the Christmas comedy "Genie", where she appeared as an ancient creature named Flora, who fulfills the desires of the owner of a magical box.

Melissa McCarthy: latest news and articles

Elton John became a host of charity home show

30 Mar 2020

Bill Brown

I remember her from the TV series This Is Us. I was directly imbued with her game, and, in principle, the series was kind and very touching

2021-05-06 22:09:26
Michelle Crawford

I watched all the comedy movies with McCarthy. So if there is a movies and she is also playing there, then I`ll watch it

2021-04-24 13:02:26
Nathaniel Jayden Rogers

I like movies with her, especially if it is with humor:)

2021-04-05 15:17:32
Kathryn White

For some reason I think Melissa will still show herself as a cool actress.

2021-02-27 18:57:37
Nicholas Angel Cook

Oh well, Melissa McCarthy became famouse only because of the comedy movies :)

2021-01-09 19:16:19

Photos: Melissa McCarthy