Editing Melissa McCarthy

{{short description|American actress (born 1970)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Melissa McCarthy
| image              = Melissa McCarthy in 2018 (cropped).jpg
| caption            = McCarthy in 2018
| birth_name         = Melissa Ann McCarthy
| birth_date         = {{birth date and age|1970|8|26}}
| birth_place        = [[Plainfield, Illinois]], U.S.
| occupation         = {{hlist|Actress|comedian|screenwriter|producer}}
| spouse             = {{marriage|[[Ben Falcone]]|October 8, 2005}}
| children           = 2
| relations          = {{unbulleted list | [[Jenny McCarthy]] (cousin)| [[Joanne McCarthy (basketball)|Joanne McCarthy]] (cousin) }}

| yearsactive        = 1997–present
| awards             = [[List of awards and nominations received by Melissa McCarthy|Full list]]
}}

'''Melissa Ann McCarthy''' (born August 26, 1970)<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Rahman|first1=Ray|title=Monitor|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2013/08/23/monitor-august-30-2013|access-date=April 5, 2016|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=August 23, 2013}}</ref> is an American actress, comedian, screenwriter, and producer. She is the recipient of [[List of awards and nominations received by Melissa McCarthy|numerous accolades]], including two [[Primetime Emmy Awards]], and nominations for two [[Academy Awards]] and two [[Golden Globe Awards]]. McCarthy was named by ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]'' as one of the [[Time 100|100 most influential people in the world]] in 2016, and she has been featured multiple times in annual rankings of the highest-paid actresses in the world.<ref name=forbes2015>{{cite web|url=http://www.etonline.com/news/170344_jennifer_lawrence_scarlett_johansson_melissa_mccarthy_top_world_highest_paid_actresses_list/|title=Jennifer Lawrence, Scarlett Johansson, Melissa McCarthy Top World's Highest Paid Actresses List|work=Entertainment Tonight|date=August 20, 2015 |access-date=August 20, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/natalierobehmed/2016/08/23/the-worlds-highest-paid-actresses-2016-jennifer-lawrence-banks-46-million-payday-ahead-of-melissa-mccarthy/|title=The World's Highest-Paid Actresses 2016: Jennifer Lawrence Banks $46 Million Payday Ahead Of Melissa McCarthy|work=Forbes|date=August 23, 2016|access-date=September 6, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://time.com/4299845/melissa-mccarthy-2016-time-100/|title=Melissa McCarthy|magazine=Time|date=April 19, 2016|access-date=April 5, 2019}}</ref> In 2020, ''[[The New York Times]]'' ranked her #22 in its list of the 25 Greatest Actors of the 21st Century.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Dargis|first1=Manohla|first2=A.O.|last2=Scott|title=The 25 greatest actors of the 21st century (so far)|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=November 25, 2020|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/movies/greatest-actors-actresses.html|access-date=December 7, 2020}}</ref>

McCarthy has received two [[Primetime Emmy Awards]], her first for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series|Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series]] for playing Molly Flynn on the [[CBS]] sitcom ''[[Mike & Molly]]'' (2010–2016) followed by her win for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series|Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series]] for hosting ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' (2017). She has also taken recurring roles in the comedy-drama series ''[[Gilmore Girls]]'' (2000–2007) and the [[sitcom]] ''[[Samantha Who?]]'' (2007–2009), a leading role in the miniseries ''[[Nine Perfect Strangers (TV series)|Nine Perfect Strangers]]'' (2021), and a guest role in the comedy series ''[[Only Murders in the Building]]'' (2024).

On film, she has received two [[Academy Award]] nominations for [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]] playing a comedic bridesmaid in the comedy ''[[Bridesmaids (2011 film)|Bridesmaids]]'' (2011) and [[Academy Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]] for her portrayal of writer [[Lee Israel]] in the biographical film ''[[Can You Ever Forgive Me?]]'' (2018). She has also starred in a string of commercially successful comedies such as ''[[Identity Thief]]'' (2013), ''[[The Heat (film)|The Heat]]'' (2013), ''[[Tammy (film)|Tammy]]'' (2014), ''[[St. Vincent (film)|St. Vincent]]'' (2014), ''[[Spy (2015 film)|Spy]]'' (2015), ''[[The Boss (2016 film)|The Boss]]'' (2016), and ''[[Life of the Party (2018 film)|Life of the Party]]'' (2018). She played [[Ursula (The Little Mermaid)|Ursula]] in the musical fantasy film ''[[The Little Mermaid (2023 film)|The Little Mermaid]]'' (2023).

McCarthy and her husband [[Ben Falcone]] are the founders of the production company On the Day Productions, under which they have collaborated on several comedy films including ''[[Superintelligence (film)|Super Intelligence]]'' (2020), and ''[[Thunder Force (film)|Thunder Force]]'' (2021). In 2015, she launched her own clothing line for plus-sized women, named Melissa McCarthy Seven7, and she received a [[List of actors with Hollywood Walk of Fame motion picture stars|motion picture star]] on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]].<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/news/will-ferrell-pharrell-pitbull-among-2015-walk-of-fame-honorees-20140620|title=Pharrell, Pitbull Getting Stars on Walk of Fame|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=July 28, 2017|archive-date=July 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728075006/http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/news/will-ferrell-pharrell-pitbull-among-2015-walk-of-fame-honorees-20140620|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://people.com/style/melissa-mccarthy-denim-line-reviews/|title=Real Girls React to Melissa McCarthy's Denim Line|date=December 21, 2016|work=People|access-date=July 28, 2017|language=en-US}}</ref>

== Early life and education ==
Melissa Ann McCarthy was born on August 26, 1970, in [[Plainfield, Illinois]], to Sandra and Michael McCarthy.<ref>[http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20472991,00.html "Melissa Mccarthy: Her Moment to Shine"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111230141227/http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20472991,00.html |date=December 30, 2011 }} March 21, 2011, ''People''</ref><ref>[http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=HN&p_theme=hn&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0F6EE8FE466990AB&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM "Bob Newhart just can't stand still"] September 19, 2002, ''Herald News''</ref> She is a cousin of actress and model [[Jenny McCarthy]].<ref name="auto">[https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/melissa-mccarthy-mike-molly-bridesmaids-240899 "Melissa McCarthy Is Having Her Moment"] September 28, 2011, ''The Hollywood Reporter''</ref> McCarthy was raised on a farm in a large [[Catholicism|Catholic]] family. Her father is of [[Irish people|Irish]] descent, while her mother is of [[English people|English]], [[German people|German]], and Irish ancestry.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.megansmolenyak.com/5-things-didnt-know-melissa-mccarthys-family-tree/|title=5 Things You Didn't Know about Melissa McCarthy's Family Tree » Megan Smolenyak|date=July 14, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.biography.com/people/melissa-mccarthy-20871661#early-life|title=Bio.|access-date=November 20, 2014}}</ref><ref>[http://www.lifescript.com/Life/Timeout/Entertainment/Mike_and_Mollys_Melissa_McCarthy_Finds_Super-Sized_Success.aspx "'Mike and Molly's' Melissa McCarthy Finds Super-Sized Success"] March 22, 2011, LifeScript.com</ref> Some of her forebears were from [[County Cork]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Danaher|first=Patricia|url=http://irishamerica.com/2013/05/melissa-mccarthy-the-scene-stealer-goes-center-stage/|title=Melissa McCarthy: The Scene Stealer Goes Center Stage|publisher=Irish America|date=May 24, 2013|access-date=November 18, 2013}}</ref> She graduated from St. Francis Academy (now [[Joliet Catholic Academy]]) in [[Joliet, Illinois]],<ref>[http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/entertainment/7792656-418/from-jca-to-cbs-emmy-winner-got-acting-bug-at-joliet-school.html "From JCA to CBS: Emmy winner got acting bug at Joliet school"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110924041811/http://heraldnews.suntimes.com/entertainment/7792656-418/from-jca-to-cbs-emmy-winner-got-acting-bug-at-joliet-school.html |date=September 24, 2011 }} September 21, 2011, ''The Herald News''</ref> and attended [[Southern Illinois University Carbondale]]. 

Her career started with stand-up comedy in Los Angeles, and later in New York City.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.biography.com/people/melissa-mccarthy-20871661#!|title=Melissa McCarthy Biography|publisher=Bio.|access-date=October 3, 2016}}</ref> McCarthy is an alumna of [[The Groundlings]], an improvisational and [[sketch comedy]] troupe based in [[Los Angeles, California]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://groundlings.com/performers/performer-details.aspx?performerID=214|title=Melissa McCarthy|work=The Groundlings Website}}</ref> She also performed in New York City as a [[drag queen]] under the moniker Miss Y, including at the [[Wigstock]] festival.<ref>{{cite web|last=Nichols|first=James Michael|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/melissa-mccarthy-drag-queen_n_589b3f96e4b0c1284f29a87b|title=Melissa McCarthy: I Used to Perform as a Drag queen|publisher=Huffington Post|date=February 8, 2017|access-date=December 6, 2020}}</ref>

==Career==

===1997–2010: Early work and ''Gilmore Girls''===
McCarthy made her first television appearance in an episode of the NBC comedy series ''[[Jenny (TV series)|Jenny]]'', opposite her cousin [[Jenny McCarthy]]. She made her feature film debut in a minor role in the 1999 comedy ''[[Go (1999 film)|Go]]'', and later had roles in the films ''[[Drowning Mona]]'', ''[[Disney's The Kid]]'', ''[[Charlie's Angels (2000 film)|Charlie's Angels]]'', ''[[Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle]]'', ''[[The Third Wheel (film)|The Third Wheel]]'' and ''[[The Life of David Gale]]''. She also worked in three episodes of ''[[Kim Possible]]'', voicing [[DNAmy]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Voice Dnamy|url=http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/tv-shows/Kim-Possible/DNAmy/|publisher=Behind The Voice Actors|access-date=August 14, 2015}}</ref> In 2000, McCarthy was cast as [[Sookie St.&nbsp;James]], the upbeat and klutzy best friend of [[Lorelai Gilmore]], on [[The WB Television Network|The&nbsp;WB]] television series ''[[Gilmore Girls]]''. Throughout the series, Sookie is Lorelai's business partner and cheerleader.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=The New Classics: TV |url= https://ew.com/article/2007/06/18/new-classics-tv/|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |access-date=October 2, 2019 |date=June 18, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828204024/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C20207076_20207387_20207339%2C00.html |archive-date=August 28, 2008}}</ref> On April 7, 2016, McCarthy announced on ''[[The Ellen DeGeneres Show]]'' that she would be returning for the show's revival, ''[[Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life]]'', on Netflix.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/04/08/entertainment/melissa-mccarthy-gilmore-girls-feat/|title=Melissa McCarthy is joining 'Gilmore Girls' revival|last=Griggs|first=Brandon|date=April 8, 2016|publisher=[[CNN]]|access-date=April 10, 2016}}</ref> The series was released November 25, 2016 and McCarthy appeared in one of its four episodes.

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 (film)|Just Add Water]]'', and ''[[Pretty Ugly People]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/pretty-ugly-people/|title=Pretty Ugly People|publisher=Rotten Tomatoes|access-date=November 18, 2013}}</ref> Also in 2007, McCarthy starred as [[List of Samantha Who? characters|Dena Stevens]] on the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] sitcom ''[[Samantha Who?]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3if936a822f71d2fef8d32e57e6939774b|title='Samantha' gets full-season pickup|access-date=October 30, 2007|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=October 31, 2007|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080904215752/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3if936a822f71d2fef8d32e57e6939774b|archive-date=September 4, 2008 }}</ref> McCarthy played Samantha's socially awkward childhood best friend, whom Samantha hasn't seen since seventh grade. When Samantha wakes from her coma, Dena convinces Samantha that they have always been best friends. While Andrea eventually forces her to reveal the truth, Samantha still remains friends with Dena.<ref>{{cite news|last=Sullivan|first=Brian Ford|title=ABC Adds 10 Newcomers, Renews 'Notes,' 'Road'|publisher=The Futon Critic|date=May 11, 2007|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news.aspx?id=7381|access-date=June 13, 2007}}</ref> She guest starred in ''[[Rita Rocks]]'' and on ''[[Private Practice (TV series)|Private Practice]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Barrett|first=Annie|url=https://ew.com/article/2009/11/16/private-practice-perfect-for-melissa-mccarthy/|title=Exclusive: 'Private Practice' makes perfect with 'Gilmore' girl Melissa McCarthy|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=November 16, 2009|access-date=November 18, 2013}}</ref> In 2010, McCarthy played supporting roles in films ''[[The Back-up Plan]]'' and ''[[Life as We Know It (film)|Life as We Know It]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Melissa McCarthy: Did You Know She Was In...? Before ''Bridesmaids'', the ''Spy'' star had popped up in some odd places on the big screen|url=https://www.ew.com/gallery/melissa-mccarthy-obscure-movie-roles/2195263_back-plan-2010|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=August 14, 2015}}</ref>

===2011–2017: Sitcom and film stardom ===
[[File:Melissa McCarthy 2012 (Straighten Crop).jpg|thumb|upright|McCarthy in 2012]]
In 2010, McCarthy was cast in a leading role on the [[CBS]] sitcom ''[[Mike&nbsp;& Molly]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Bierly|first=Mandi|url=https://ew.com/article/2010/03/25/melissa-mccarthy-lands-lead-in-cbs-comedy-pilot-yay-but-wait/|title=Melissa McCarthy lands lead in CBS comedy pilot. Yay! But wait…|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=March 25, 2010|access-date=October 2, 2019}}</ref> Television critic Lucy Mangan from the ''[[the Guardian|Guardian]]'' commended McCarthy and her co-star [[Billy Gardell]] on some “unfeasibly delicate and charming work”, while decrying the show itself for hanging every one of its gags on the subject of their weight.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2010/oct/05/lucy-mangan-cable-girl|title=Gone to fat|first=Lucy|last=Mangan|date=October 5, 2010|newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref> In 2011, McCarthy had a breakout performance in the comedy film ''[[Bridesmaids (2011 film)|Bridesmaids]]'' alongside [[Kristen Wiig]], [[Maya Rudolph]], [[Rose Byrne]], [[Wendi McLendon-Covey]] and [[Ellie Kemper]]. She received wide critical acclaim and press coverage for her performance.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/melissa-mccarthy-mike-molly-bridesmaids-2-240899/|title=Melissa McCarthy Is Having Her Moment|first=Lacey|last=Rose|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=September 28, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/melissa-mccarthy-the-runaway-bridesmaid-88029/|title=Melissa McCarthy: The Runaway Bridesmaid|first=Gavin|last=Edwards|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=January 24, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/melissa-mccarthy-breakout-240901/|title=Melissa McCarthy: From Best Friend to Breakout|first=T. H. R.|last=Staff|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=September 28, 2011}}</ref> McCarthy received an [[Academy Award]] nomination for [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress|Best Supporting Actress]] for her performance. She received [[British Academy Film Awards|BAFTA]], [[Critics' Choice Movie Awards|Critics' Choice]] and [[Screen Actors Guild Awards]] nominations, as well as won [[Boston Society of Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actress|Boston Society of Film Critics Award]], [[New York Film Critics Online Awards 2011|New York Film Critics Online Award]] for Best Supporting Actress, [[Women Film Critics Circle|Women Film Critics Circle Award]] for Best Comedic Actress, and [[MTV Movie Award for Best Comedic Performance]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/ibe0z8/mtv-movie-awards-winners-list|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221010130528/https://www.mtv.com/news/ibe0z8/mtv-movie-awards-winners-list|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 10, 2022|title=2012 MTV Movie Awards Winners: The Full List|website=MTV}}</ref> 
One of McCarthy's most memorable scenes in ''Bridesmaids'' was improvised, according to director [[Paul Feig]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.insider.com/melissa-mccarthy-improvised-bridesmaids-bullying-scene-2021-5|title=Melissa McCarthy ad-libbed one of the most emotional scenes in 'Bridesmaids'|first=Jason|last=Guerrasio|website=Insider}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/melissa-mccarthy-responsible-one-bridesmaids-speech.html/|title=Melissa McCarthy Is Responsible for a Lot of 1 'Bridesmaids' Speech|first=Produced by Digital|last=Editors|date=June 13, 2022}}</ref> In fall 2011, after achieving fame from ''Bridesmaids'', she received her first [[Primetime Emmy Awards|Primetime Emmy Award]] for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series|Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series]] for her role on ''Mike&nbsp;& Molly''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/awards/2011/09/did-bridesmaids-help-melissa-mccarthy-to-pull-off-emmy-upset.html|title=Emmys: Did 'Bridesmaids' help Melissa McCarthy pull off an upset? |work=Los Angeles Times|date=September 20, 2011|access-date=November 18, 2013}}</ref><ref name=emmys>{{cite web|url= http://www.emmys.com/celebrities/melissa-mccarthy|title=Melissa McCarthy Emmy Award Winner|publisher=Emmys.com|access-date=January 8, 2012}}</ref> 

In June 2011, she hosted the [[Women in Film Crystal&nbsp;+ Lucy Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wif.org/events/crystal-lucy-awards |title=Crystal + Lucy Awards 2011 |publisher=Women In Film |access-date=January 8, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120121155221/http://wif.org/events/crystal-lucy-awards |archive-date=January 21, 2012 }}</ref> She was invited to join the [[Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences]] in June 2012 along with 175 others.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oscars.org/press/pressreleases/2012/20120629a.html|title=Academy Invites 176 to Membership|publisher=The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences|date=June 29, 2012|access-date=July 19, 2013}}</ref> McCarthy hosted ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' on October 1, 2011, April 6, 2013, February 1, 2014, February 13, 2016, and May 12, 2017.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2013/04/07/saturday-night-live-recap-melissa-mccarthy-phoenix/|last=Fowler, Tara|date=April 7, 2013|title=''Saturday Night Live'' recap: Melissa McCarthy brought the heat and hammed it up|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date= April 27, 2013}}</ref> She was nominated five times for a [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series]] for her appearances on the television show from 2011 to 2017, winning in 2017.<ref name=emmys/> In 2011, McCarthy produced a CBS pilot which starred her husband, Ben Falcone.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2011/09/next-for-emmy-winner-melissa-mccarthy-co-creating-comedy-series-for-cbs-173212/|first=Andreeva|last=Nellie|title=Next For Emmy Winner Melissa McCarthy: Co-Creating Comedy Series For CBS|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=September 19, 2011|access-date=December 10, 2011}}</ref> After her ''Bridesmaids'' breakout, McCarthy had supporting roles in the comedy films ''[[This Is 40]]'' (2012), the spinoff to [[Judd Apatow]]'s film ''[[Knocked Up]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/movies/news/a328889/melissa-mccarthy-to-star-in-knocked-up-sequel.html_daughter_for_.html|first=Zakia|last=Uddin|title=Melissa McCarthy to star in 'Knocked Up' sequel|work=[[Digital Spy]]|date=July 8, 2011|access-date=July 30, 2011}}</ref> and ''[[The Hangover Part III]]'' (2013). 

In 2013, McCarthy co-starred in the crime comedy ''[[Identity Thief]]'' with [[Jason Bateman]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Brian Gallagher|url=http://www.movieweb.com/news/id-theft-gets-jason-bateman-and-melissa-mccarthy|title=ID Theft Gets Jason Bateman and Melissa McCarthy|publisher=Movie Web|date=August 15, 2011|access-date=January 8, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://thefilmstage.com/news/jason-bateman-and-melissa-mccarthy-to-execute-id-theft/|title=Jason Bateman and Melissa McCarthy To Execute ''ID Theft''|publisher=The Film Stage|date=August 16, 2011|access-date=January 8, 2012}}</ref> ''Identity Thief'', her [[star vehicle]], opened at No. 1 at the box office, and grossed $174 million worldwide<ref name="bom">{{mojo title|identitythief|Identity Thief}}</ref> despite negative reviews.<ref>{{metacritic film|title=Identity Thief|qid=Q3801252}}</ref> R. Kurt Osenlund of ''[[Slant Magazine]]'' praised McCarthy's performance, writing that she "gives a performance leagues better than anything to be expected in a mainstream, early-in-the-year release, padding a typically sketched character with layers of hilarity and pathos. McCarthy owns 'Identity Thief' with a turn of limitless surprise, making an otherwise adequate comedy soar as a star vehicle. She is riveting in simply-penned moments of remorse and confession, adding tearful depth to her ace timing and formidable physical comedy."<ref name="slant">{{cite news|last=Osenlund|first=R. Kurt|title=Identity Thief - Film Review - Slant Magazine|url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/review/identity-thief/6805|access-date=April 7, 2014|newspaper=[[Slant Magazine]]|date=February 6, 2013}}</ref> Peter Debruge of ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety magazine]]'' praised McCarthy but criticized the script, saying "Melissa McCarthy proves she’s got what it takes to carry a feature, however meager the underlying material."<ref name="Debruge">{{cite web |date= February 6, 2013 |last=Debruge |first=Peter |title=Identity Thief |url=https://variety.com/2013/film/reviews/identity-thief-1117949179/ |website= [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] }}</ref> She received [[People's Choice Awards|People's Choice]] and [[MTV Movie & TV Awards|MTV Movie Awards]] nomination for her performance.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eonline.com/news/477644/glee-katy-perry-lead-people-s-choice-award-nominations-2-broke-girls-kat-dennings-and-beth-behrs-to-host|title=Glee, Katy Perry Lead People's Choice Award Nominations, 2 Broke Girls' Kat Dennings and Beth Behrs to Host|date=November 5, 2013|website=E! Online}}</ref> Later in 2013, McCarthy co-starred with [[Sandra Bullock]] in the buddy cop comedy ''[[The Heat (film)|The Heat]]''. The film was released in the United States and Canada on June 28, 2013, to both critical and commercial success.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_heat/|title=The Heat|website=Rotten Tomatoes|access-date=November 18, 2013}}</ref> With McCarthy being called "box office gold," ''The Heat'' grossed $229 million worldwide.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=bullockmccarthy.htm|title=The Heat (2013)|website= [[Box Office Mojo]] |access-date=November 18, 2013}}</ref> She won [[American Comedy Awards|American Comedy Award for Best Comedy Actress - Film]], and well as received nominations an [[Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Actress in a Comedy]] and [[MTV Movie Award for Best Comedic Performance]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2013/12/critics-choice-movie-awards-nominees-full-list-652803/|title='American Hustle', '12 Years A Slave' Lead BFCA's Critics Choice Movie Awards Nominations|first=Pete|last=Hammond|date=December 16, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mtv.com/news/g5l3e9/2014-mtv-movie-awards-nominations|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221002055000/https://www.mtv.com/news/g5l3e9/2014-mtv-movie-awards-nominations|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 2, 2022|title=2014 MTV Movie Awards: Full Nominations List|website=MTV}}</ref>

In 2013, McCarthy founded the production company On the Day Productions with her husband [[Ben Falcone]].<ref name="fnp"/> ''[[Tammy (film)|Tammy]]'' was the company's first project. The film cost $20 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://online.wsj.com/articles/melissa-mccarthy-is-hollywoods-unlikely-leading-lady-1403820340|title=Melissa McCarthy Is Hollywood's Unlikely Leading Lady|author=Ben Fritz|date=June 26, 2014|work=The Wall Street Journal|access-date=November 20, 2014}}</ref> McCarthy co-wrote the script for the road comedy film, which was released in 2014. McCarthy's character loses her job and her car, and then learns that her husband has been unfaithful. To get away, she is forced to rely on her alcoholic grandmother ([[Susan Sarandon]]) for transportation as they embark on a journey of self-discovery.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsinfilm.com/2011/11/07/melissa-mccarthy-striking-out-with-tammy/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120609174127/http://www.newsinfilm.com/2011/11/07/melissa-mccarthy-striking-out-with-tammy/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=June 9, 2012 |first=Leins |last=Jeff |title=Melissa McCarthy Striking Out with ''Tammy'' |publisher=News in Film |date=November 7, 2011 |access-date=December 10, 2011 }}</ref> Although a box office success, grossing over $100 million from a $20 million budget, it received highly negative reviews from critics with McCarthy received [[Golden Raspberry Awards|Razzie]] nomination for [[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actress|Worst Actress]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/35th-annual-razzie-awards-nominations/|title=35th Annual Razzie Awards Nominations}}</ref> On [[Rotten Tomatoes]], the site's critical consensus reads, "Melissa McCarthy remains an engaging screen presence, but her efforts aren't enough to keep the jumbled ''Tammy'' on track."<ref>{{cite web|title=Tammy (2014)|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/tammy_2014/|publisher=Rotten Tomatoes|access-date=July 28, 2014}}</ref> Later in 2014, McCarthy played the female lead, opposite [[Bill Murray]], in the comedy-drama film ''[[St. Vincent (film)|St. Vincent]]'', directed and written by [[Theodore Melfi]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/melissa-mccarthy-may-join-the-congregation-of-st-vincent-de-van-nuys-with-bill-murray-20130311|title=Melissa McCarthy May Join The Congregation Of 'St. Vincent De Van Nuys' With Bill Murray|publisher=Indiewire|date=March 11, 2013|access-date=November 18, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109013652/http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/melissa-mccarthy-may-join-the-congregation-of-st-vincent-de-van-nuys-with-bill-murray-20130311|archive-date=January 9, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> The film received positive reviews from critics and her performance as an overworked single mom was noted.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/st-vincent-2014|title=St. Vincent movie review & film summary (2014) &#124; Roger Ebert|first=Brian|last=Tallerico|website=www.rogerebert.com/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://torontosun.com/2014/10/08/melissa-mccarthy-cried-after-standing-ovation-for-st-vincent|title=Melissa McCarthy cried after standing ovation for 'St. Vincent' &#124; Toronto Sun}}</ref> At the [[20th Critics' Choice Awards]], she received Best Actress in a Comedy Movie nomination.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2014/12/birdman-budapest-boyhood-critics-choice-movie-award-jolie-rebounds-1201325310/|title='Birdman', 'Budapest' And 'Boyhood' Get Key Oscar Boost To Lead Critics' Choice Movie Award Nominations; Jolie Rebounds From Globe Snub|first=Pete|last=Hammond|date=December 15, 2014}}</ref>

In May 2015, McCarthy received a star on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2015/scene/spotlight/melissa-mccarthy-walk-of-fame-ceremony-1201500219/|title=Walk of Fame honoree Melissa McCarthy spies some luck in her life|author1= Jenelle Riley |author2= Marianne Zumberge|work=Variety|date=May 19, 2015 |access-date=May 20, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.people.com/article/melissa-mccarthy-hollywood-walk-fame-ceremony|title=Melissa McCarthy Dazzles at Walk of Fame Ceremony|work=People|access-date=May 20, 2015}}</ref> In August 2015, ''Forbes'' ranked her as the third highest-paid actress of 2015, with earnings of $23 million.<ref name=forbes2015/> Also in 2015, McCarthy played the lead in frequent collaborator [[Paul Feig]]'s spy comedy ''[[Spy (2015 film)|Spy]]'',<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/melissa-mccarthy-talks-join-paul-593299|title=Melissa McCarthy in Talks to Join Paul Feig's 'Susan Cooper'|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=July 25, 2013|access-date=November 18, 2013|first=Rebecca|last=Ford}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Cunningham|first=Todd|url=https://movies.yahoo.com/news/melissa-mccarthy-spy-spoof-susan-cooper-gets-memorial-193306413.html|title=Melissa McCarthy Spy Spoof 'Susan Cooper' Gets Key 2015 Release Date|publisher=Yahoo Movies|date=November 12, 2013|access-date=November 18, 2013}}</ref> a role that earned McCarthy her first [[Golden Globe Award]] nomination for [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical|Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/awards/golden-globes-full-list-nominees-n493016|title=The Golden Globes: Full List of Winners and Nominees|date=January 11, 2016|website=NBC News}}</ref> The film received positive reviews from critics and grossed $235 million worldwide against a $65 million budget. McCarthy's performance was praised by critics. [[Richard Roeper]] of ''[[The Chicago Sun Times]]'' called her "as funny and as winning as anyone in the movies these days".<ref>{{cite web|last1=Roeper|first1=Richard|title=Spy Review|url=http://www.richardroeper.com/reviews/w/spy.aspx|access-date=February 9, 2016}}</ref> Tom Russo of ''[[The Boston Globe]]'' credited the film's success to McCarthy, writing, "part of what makes the action comedy such a loopy blast is the identity shifts she pulls on the audience."<ref>{{cite web|last1=Russo|first1=Tom|title=Melissa McCarthy pulls off her latest comic role, secret agent, in 'Spy'|website=[[The Boston Globe]] |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/movies/2015/06/04/spy/y3xzy513n5dRSdI2zURKFM/story.html|access-date=February 9, 2016}}</ref> Bill Goodykoontz of ''Arizona Republic'' called the film McCarthy's return to form, writing "Finally, after the promise shown in ''Bridesmaids'', but sold short since by weak scripts in films like ''Tammy'' and ''Identity Thief'', Melissa McCarthy gets a movie vehicle worthy of her talents."<ref>{{cite web|last1=Bill|first1=Goodykoontz|title=Review: Melissa McCarthy makes a terrific 'Spy'|url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/movies/2015/06/04/review-melissa-mccarthy-makes-terrific-spy/28359263/|access-date=February 9, 2016}}</ref>

In 2016, McCarthy starred in the comedy film ''[[The Boss (2016 film)|The Boss]]'', a film based on a character which McCarthy had created in the Los Angeles Groundlings – a wealthy businesswoman "who goes to jail for insider trading, and struggles to reinvent herself as America's new sweetheart when she's released".<ref name="fnp">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/melissa-mccarthy-ben-falcone-5-new-projects-1201245084/|title=Melissa McCarthy and Ben Falcone Preview 5 New Film Projects|work=Variety|date=June 24, 2014 |access-date=November 20, 2014}}</ref> Although it received generally negative reviews from critics, it grossed over $78 million worldwide on a budget of $29 million. Also that year, she played an author and scientist in the all-female reboot of ''[[Ghostbusters (2016 film)|Ghostbusters]]'', directed by Paul Feig.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/new-all-female-ghostbusters-cast-767610|title=Melissa McCarthy for Ghostbusters|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|access-date=January 27, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/84854/shocker-melissa-mccarthy-ghostbusters-3/|title=Melissa McCarthy for Ghostbusters 3|work=Dread Central|access-date=November 20, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3327599/first-female-flip-ghostbusters-proton-pack/|title=Melissa McCarthy for Ghostbusters 3|work=Bloody Disgusting|access-date=November 20, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dreadcentral.com/news/87494/ghostbusters-character-details-ivan-reitman-isnt-directing/|title=Melissa McCarthy is playing Patty, an NYC subway worker|access-date=January 27, 2014}}</ref> The film grossed $229.1 million worldwide against its $144 million budget, making it a box office bomb with losses of over $70 million following theaters taking their revenue cut.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ghostbusters_(2016_film)&oldid=1175357021|title=Ghostbusters (2016 film)|date=September 14, 2023|via=Wikipedia}}</ref> At the [[43rd People's Choice Awards]], McCarthy won Award for Favorite Comedic Movie Actress.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/2017-peoples-choice-award-winners-complete-list-965632/|title=People's Choice Awards 2017 Winners List|first=T. H. R.|last=Staff|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=January 18, 2017}}</ref> 

In 2016, she recorded the song "[[Anything You Can Do (I Can Do Better)]]" with [[Barbra Streisand]] which appears on Streisand's album ''[[Encore: Movie Partners Sing Broadway]]''. On February 4 and 11, 2017 she made surprise appearances on ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' portraying [[White House Press Secretary]] [[Sean Spicer]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2017/02/the-genius-of-melissa-mccarthy-as-sean-spicer-on-saturday-night-live/515715/|title=The Genius of Melissa McCarthy as Sean Spicer on Saturday Night Live|last=Gilbert|first=Sophie|date=February 5, 2017|work=The Atlantic|access-date=February 6, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/melissa-mccarthy-steals-the-show-as-a-raging-sean-spicer-on-snl-142401746.html|title=Melissa McCarthy steals the show as a raging Sean Spicer on 'SNL'|last=Stableford|first=Dylan|date=February 5, 2017|publisher=Yahoo! News|access-date=February 6, 2017}}</ref> She returned to the show to portray Spicer on April 16<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/04/snl-melissa-mccarthy-sean-spicer-easter-bunny-hitler-conan-obrien-eugene-lee | title=S.N.L.: How Conan O'Brien Saved Melissa McCarthy's Sean Spicer Easter Skit | magazine=Vanity Fair | date=April 19, 2017 | access-date=April 21, 2017 | author=Bradley, Laura}}</ref> and May 13, 2017 (also hosting the latter). McCarthy also appeared in a [[Super Bowl LI]] ad for [[Kia Motors]], promoting the [[Kia Niro]]. McCarthy played a wannabe [[environmentalist]], who has a series of mishaps befall her such as being capsized by a [[whale]], being charged by a [[rhino]], and falling down a [[crevasse]]. The commercial featured the song "[[Holding Out for a Hero]]".<ref>{{Citation|title=Kia Niro Super Bowl 2017 TV Commercial, 'Hero's Journey' Feat. Melissa McCarthy [T1]|url=https://www.ispot.tv/ad/A301/kia-niro-super-bowl-2017-heros-journey-feat-melissa-mccarthy|language=en|access-date=August 26, 2021}}</ref>

===2018–present: Dramatic roles and expansion ===
[[File:Can You Ever Forgive Me? 01 (44939300051).jpg|thumb|upright|left|McCarthy at an event for ''[[Can You Ever Forgive Me?]]'' in 2018]]
McCarthy starred and produced another comedy film directed by Ben Falcone, ''[[Life of the Party (2018 film)|Life of the Party]]''. The film was released on May 11, 2018. It received mixed reviews from critics and grossed $65 million. She also starred in ''[[The Happytime Murders]]'', an adult puppet buddy cop crime comedy film directed by [[Brian Henson]]. The film was released on August 24, 2018, and received mostly negative reviews and was a box-office bomb, grossing $27.5 million worldwide against a $40–47 million budget. It went on to debut to $9.5 million, marking the lowest opening of McCarthy's career as a lead.<ref name=opening>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/08/melissa-mccarthy-happytime-murders-crazy-rich-asians-meg-weekend-box-office-1202451694/|title='Why 'Happytime Murders' Reps A Solo Career B.O. Low For Melissa McCarthy In A 'Crazy Rich' Weekend – Update|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |publisher=[[Penske Business Media]] |date=August 26, 2018 |first=Anthony |last= D'Alessandro |access-date=August 26, 2018}}</ref> 

Later in 2018, she starred as celebrity biographer [[Lee Israel]] in the dark comedy-drama film ''[[Can You Ever Forgive Me?]]'' directed by [[Marielle Heller]]. She replaced [[Julianne Moore]], who was fired shortly before shooting was to begin.<ref>{{cite web
|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/mar/22/julianne-moore-fired-can-you-ever-forgive-me-fat-suit-fake-nose|title=Julianne Moore was fired from Can You Ever Forgive Me? over fat suit and fake nose|first=Catherine|last= Shoard |date=March 22, 2019|work=Variety|access-date=March 18, 2022}}
</ref> McCarthy's performance as Lee drew high praise. ''[[Film Journal International]]'' said McCarthy's performance is "stunning", and her previous film roles "could not anticipate how fearlessly and credibly she inhabits Lee Israel."<ref name="auto1">{{cite web|last=Horwitz|first=Simi|title=Film Review: Can You Ever Forgive Me?|url=http://www.filmjournal.com/reviews/film-review-can-you-ever-forgive-me|work=[[Film Journal International]]|date=October 17, 2018|access-date=November 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401042911/http://www.filmjournal.com/reviews/film-review-can-you-ever-forgive-me|archive-date=April 1, 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/jan/30/can-you-ever-forgive-me-review-melissa-mccarthy-richard-e-grant|title=Can You Ever Forgive Me? review – horribly hilarious odd-couple caper &#124; Peter Bradshaw's film of the week|first=Peter|last=Bradshaw|newspaper=The Guardian |date=January 30, 2019|via=www.theguardian.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/16/movies/can-you-ever-forgive-me-review-melissa-mccarthy.html|title=Review: Melissa McCarthy Is Criminally Good in 'Can You Ever Forgive Me?'|first=A. O.|last=Scott|work=The New York Times |date=October 16, 2018|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref> 

She received an [[Academy Award for Best Actress]] nomination, and well as [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama|Golden Globe]], Critics' Choice, Screen Actors Guild Awards and BAFTA Awards nominations.<ref name="auto1"/> She won Best Actress awards from [[New York Film Critics Online]], [[San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress|San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle]], [[Boston Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress|Boston Society of Film Critics]], [[Vancouver Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress|Vancouver Film Critics Circle]] and [[Florida Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress|Florida Film Critics Circle]]. At the [[39th Golden Raspberry Awards]], McCarthy won two awards: [[Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actress|for Worst Actress]] (''Life of the Party'' and ''The Happytime Murders'') and [[Razzie Redeemer Award|Redeemer Award]] for her ''Can You Ever Forgive Me?'' performance.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/39th-razzie-award-winners-announced/ | title=39th Razzie Award Winners Announced }}</ref>

In 2019, McCarthy played the lead in the crime film ''[[The Kitchen (2019 film)|The Kitchen]]''. It received mostly negative reviews from critics and was a box-office bomb. ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]''{{'}}s [[Owen Gleiberman]] described the film as "just like ''[[Widows (2018 film)|Widows]]'', except not as good." Gleiberman was critical of the script but praised McCarthy's fierce performance.<ref>{{cite web |date= August 8, 2019 |last= Gleiberman |first= Owen |author-link= Owen Gleiberman |title= Film Review: ''The Kitchen'' |url= https://variety.com/2019/film/reviews/the-kitchen-review-melissa-mccarthy-tiffany-haddish-elisabeth-moss-1203293593/ |website= [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|access-date=August 10, 2019}}</ref> The following year, she returned to comedy with the leading role in the ''[[Superintelligence (film)|Superintelligence]]''. In 2021, she starred in the superhero comedy film ''[[Thunder Force (film)|Thunder Force]]'', and the comedy-drama film ''[[The Starling]]''; both were released on Netflix.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/aug/20/nine-perfect-strangers-review-forget-nicole-kidman-melissa-mccarthy-steals-this-show|title=Nine Perfect Strangers review – forget Nicole Kidman … Melissa McCarthy steals this show|first=Lucy|last=Mangan|date=August 20, 2021|newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref>

She executive produced and starred in the Hulu limited thriller drama series, ''[[Nine Perfect Strangers (TV series)|Nine Perfect Strangers]]''. ''[[The Guardian]]''<nowiki/>'s Lucy Mangan said: "Most engagingly, there is Melissa McCarthy, sweeping all before her as charismatic, bestselling author Frances, who has recently been dealt harsh blows and is here to have pampered time to recover. As is so often the case with the magnificent McCarthy, she is the best, most arresting thing in the series, and every time she comes back on screen you wriggle with delight."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/aug/20/nine-perfect-strangers-review-forget-nicole-kidman-melissa-mccarthy-steals-this-show|title=Nine Perfect Strangers review – forget Nicole Kidman … Melissa McCarthy steals this show|first=Lucy|last=Mangan|date=August 20, 2021|newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref> She received Critics' Choice Television Award nomination for [[Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Movie/Miniseries|Best Supporting Actress in a Movie/Miniseries]] for her performance in series.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2022/awards/awards/2022-critics-choice-awards-winners-list-1235203301/|title=Critics Choice Awards 2022: 'The Power of the Dog,' 'Ted Lasso,' 'Succession' Win Big (Full Winners List)|first1=Angelique Jackson, Ethan|last1=Shanfeld|first2=Angelique|last2=Jackson|first3=Ethan|last3=Shanfeld|date=March 13, 2022}}</ref> In 2022, she co-starred with Ben Falcone in the Netflix comedy series, ''[[God's Favorite Idiot]]''.

On June 28, 2019, it was announced that McCarthy was in talks to play [[Ursula (The Little Mermaid)|Ursula]] in Disney's film ''[[The Little Mermaid (2023 film)|The Little Mermaid]]'', set to be directed by [[Rob Marshall]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/film/news/melissa-mccarthy-little-mermaid-ursula-1203217481/|title=Melissa McCarthy in Talks to Play Ursula in Live-Action 'Little Mermaid' (EXCLUSIVE)|first=Justin|last=Kroll|date=June 28, 2019|work=Variety|access-date=July 1, 2019}}</ref> On February 18, 2020, McCarthy confirmed her casting as the villainess during an interview on ''The Ellen DeGeneres Show''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://insidethemagic.net/2020/02/melissa-mccarthy-ursula-tm1/|title=Melissa McCarthy Talks Becoming Ursula for Disney's Live-Action "Little Mermaid"|website=Inside the Magic 
|last=Muscaro|first=TJ|date=February 18, 2020|access-date=May 26, 2020}}</ref> The film was released in 2023 and grossed over $569 million worldwide against a total production budget of $250 million. Peter Debruge from the ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' wrote: "If Bailey is the film’s big discovery, then McCarthy is its no-brainer. Dolled up to look like Divine’s evil-stepsister in her glowing green lair, the comic star’s just delicious as the movie’s deep-sea villain. Her timing is impeccable, and though the part is virtually identical to the one Pat Carroll originated, she aces what’s demanded of these tricky remakes: Basically, McCarthy manages to hit every beat the super fans expect, while surprising with every pause and inflection."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2023/film/reviews/the-little-mermaid-review-halle-bailey-melissa-mccarthy-1235620560/|title='The Little Mermaid' Review: Halle Bailey and Melissa McCarthy Erase Any Doubts About This Remake's See-Worthiness|first=Peter|last=Debruge|date=May 22, 2023}}</ref>

McCarthy starred in the film ''[[Genie (2023 film)|Genie]]'' written by [[Richard Curtis]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2022/12/melissa-mccarthy-stars-richard-curtis-scripted-christmas-comedy-universal-working-title-peacock-sam-boyd-directs-1235199151/|title=Melissa McCarthy To Star In Richard Curtis-Scripted Christmas Comedy For Universal, Working Title & Peacock; Sam Boyd To Direct|first=Mike Jr.|last=Fleming|date=December 14, 2022}}</ref> She also starred opposite [[Jerry Seinfeld]] in the comedy film ''[[Unfrosted]]'' for Netflix.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2022/film/news/jerry-seinfeld-poptart-movie-melissa-mccarthy-amy-schumer-sarah-cooper-1235295146/|title=Melissa McCarthy, Amy Schumer and Hugh Grant to Star in Jerry Seinfeld's 'Pop-Tart' Movie|first=Rebecca|last=Rubin|date=June 15, 2022}}</ref>

[[File:McCarthy Falcone Premiere 2016 (2).jpg|thumb|McCarthy and Ben Falcone at ''The Boss'' premiere in 2016]]

==Personal life==
McCarthy married her longtime boyfriend [[Ben Falcone]], an actor and member of [[The Groundlings]], on October 8, 2005.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gilmorenews.com/2005/10/22/melissa-mccarthy-gets-married/|author=Arieanna|title=Melissa McCarthy gets married!!|publisher=Gilmore News|date=October 22, 2005|access-date=July 30, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.groundlings.com/performers/performer-details.aspx?performerID=122|title=Ben Falcone|year=2011|access-date=July 30, 2011}}</ref> The couple have two daughters, Vivian and Georgette.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-moms/news/melissa-mccarthys-daughters-have-more-confidence-than-she-did/|first=Riley|last=Cardoza|date=February 4, 2019|access-date=July 31, 2019|publisher=[[US Weekly]]|title=Melissa McCarthy Admits Her Preteen Daughters Have More Confidence Than She Did Pushing 30}}</ref> McCarthy's pregnancy with Vivian was written into the last season of ''Gilmore Girls''. Vivian and Georgette both made an appearance in the 2016 film ''[[The Boss (2016 film)|The Boss]]'', with the former playing a younger version of her mother's character.

Falcone often makes cameo appearances in McCarthy's films and TV series, such as a third-season episode of ''Gilmore Girls'', ''The Nines'', ''Bridesmaids'', ''The Heat'', ''Tammy'', ''Identity Thief'', ''Spy'', ''The Boss'', ''Life of the Party'', ''The Happytime Murders'', ''Thunder Force'', ''Can You Ever Forgive Me?'' and ''Nine Perfect Strangers.''

In the April 2021 issue of [[InStyle|''Instyle'']], McCarthy said that, with regard to politics, "It's very polarizing, but, I mean, I'm on the left for sure, though I'm not an extremist. And I think just saying like, "Can't we all just be kind to each other?" and that gets a "F— you, lady," I don't know what to do."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Brown |first1=Laura |title=Melissa McCarthy Does It for the Laughs |url=https://www.instyle.com/celebrity/melissa-mccarthy-april-2021-cover |website=Instyle |access-date=April 22, 2021}}</ref>

In August 2021, McCarthy joined the 40x40 campaign launched by [[Meghan Markle]] to mark her 40th birthday. 40x40 is a campaign that asks people around the world to spend 40 minutes of their time mentoring women reentering the workforce and combating the outsized economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.today.com/popculture/meghan-markle-teams-melissa-mccarthy-celebrate-40th-birthday-t227291|title=Meghan Markle teams up with Melissa McCarthy to celebrate 40th birthday in new video|work=Today|first=Scott|last=Stump|date=August 4, 2021|accessdate=August 5, 2021}}</ref>

==Fashion line==
McCarthy studied [[textile]]s at [[Southern Illinois University]] and was interested in a fashion career before she pursued her interests in acting. When she moved to New York City, it was to attend the [[Fashion Institute of Technology]]. One of her closest friends is the shoe designer [[Brian Atwood]]. McCarthy also spent time working as a costumer for a dance company.<ref name="auto"/>

In 2015, McCarthy announced her first clothing collection, Melissa McCarthy Seven7, for [[plus size clothing|plus-size]] women. The line includes clothes up to size 28. In an interview with [[More (magazine)|More]], McCarthy stated that "people don't stop at size 12. I feel like there's a big thing missing where you can't dress to your mood above a certain number. [[Shopping mall|Malls]] segregate "plus-size" clothes stores and hide these stores away from other sections of the mall."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.more.com/entertainment/celebrities-movies-tv-music/melissa-mccarthy-art-living-fearlessly |title=Melissa McCarthy: The Art of Living Fearlessly |work=MORE |access-date=August 20, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150818152705/http://www.more.com/entertainment/celebrities-movies-tv-music/melissa-mccarthy-art-living-fearlessly |archive-date=August 18, 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/melissa-mccarthy-says-her-clothing-line-plus-sized-women-will-break-all-rules-1939565|title=Melissa McCarthy Says Her Clothing Line For Plus-Sized Women Will Break All The Rules|author=Nidhi Tewari|date=May 27, 2015|work=International Business Times}}</ref> Seven7, which was developed alongside Sunrise Brands,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sunrisebrands.com/brands/|title=Brand Portfolio /// Sunrise Brands|work=Sunrise Brands|access-date=August 20, 2015}}</ref> debuted in August 2015 on the [[Home Shopping Network]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/style/sc-fash-0817-melissa-mccarthy-fashion-20150814-story.html|title=Melissa McCarthy launches clothing line|work=Chicago Tribune|date=August 15, 2015 |access-date=August 15, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vogue.com/13289469/melissa-mccarthy-debut-fashion-line/|title=Melissa McCarthy's Debut Fashion Line|work=Vogue|date=July 29, 2015 |access-date=August 20, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nasdaq.com/press-release/hsn-to-premiere-melissa-mccarthys-first-fashion-collection-melissa-mccarthy-seven7-on-august-13-20150805-00985|title=HSN to Premiere Melissa McCarthy's First Fashion Collection "Melissa McCarthy Seven7" on August 13|publisher=NASDAQ|access-date=August 20, 2015}}</ref>

==Filmography==

===Film===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Film
! Role
! class="unsortable" |Notes
|-
| 1998
| ''God''
| Margaret
| Short film
|-
| 1999
| ''[[Go (1999 film)|Go]]''
| Sandra
|
|-
| rowspan=4| 2000
| ''[[Charlie's Angels (2000 film)|Charlie's Angels]]''
| Doris
| 
|-
| ''[[Drowning Mona]]''
| Shirley
|
|-
| ''Auto Motives''
| Tonnie
| Short film
|-
| ''[[Disney's The Kid]]''
| Sky King Waitress
|
|-
| rowspan=3| 2002
| ''[[Pumpkin (film)|Pumpkin]]''
| Cici Pinkus
|
|-
| ''{{sortname|The|Third Wheel|dab=film}}''
| Marilyn
|
|-
| ''[[White Oleander (film)|White Oleander]]''
| Paramedic
|
|-
| rowspan=3| 2003
| ''{{sortname|The|Life of David Gale}}''
| Nico the Goth Girl
|
|-
| ''[[Chicken Party]]''
| Tot Wagner
|
|-
| ''[[Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle]]''
| Woman at Crime Scene
| Uncredited 
|-
| rowspan=3| 2007
| ''[[Cook Off!]]''
| Amber Strang
| 
|-
| ''{{sortname|The|Nines}}''
| Margaret / Melissa / Mary
|
|-
| ''The Captain''
| Fran
| Short film
|-
| rowspan=2| 2008
| ''[[Just Add Water (film)|Just Add Water]]''
| Selma
|
|-
| ''[[Pretty Ugly People]]''
| Becky
|
|-
| rowspan=2| 2010
| ''{{sortname|The|Back-up Plan}}''
| Carol
|
|-
| ''[[Life as We Know It (film)|Life as We Know It]]''
| DeeDee
|
|-
| 2011
| ''[[Bridesmaids (2011 film)|Bridesmaids]]''
| Megan Price
|
|-
| 2012
| ''[[This Is 40]]''
| Catherine
|
|-
| rowspan=3| 2013
| ''[[Identity Thief]]''
| Diana / Dawn Budgie
|
|-
| ''[[The Hangover Part III]]''
| Cassy
|
|-
| ''[[The Heat (film)|The Heat]]''
| Detective Shannon Mullins
|
|-
| rowspan=2| 2014
| ''[[Tammy (film)|Tammy]]''
| Tammy Banks
| Also screenwriter and producer
|-
| ''[[St. Vincent (film)|St. Vincent]]''
| Maggie Bronstein
|
|-
| 2015
| ''[[Spy (2015 film)|Spy]]''
| Susan Cooper
|
|-
| rowspan=3| 2016
| ''[[The Boss (2016 film)|The Boss]]''
| Michelle Darnell
| Also screenwriter and producer 
|-
| ''[[Central Intelligence]]''
| Darla McGuckian
| Cameo
|-
| ''[[Ghostbusters (2016 film)|Ghostbusters]]''
| Dr. Abigail "Abby" Yates
|
|-
| rowspan=3| 2018
| ''[[Life of the Party (2018 film)|Life of the Party]]''
| Deanna Miles
| Also screenwriter and producer
|-
| ''[[The Happytime Murders]]''
| Detective Connie Edwards
| Also producer
|-
| ''[[Can You Ever Forgive Me?]]''
| [[Lee Israel|Leonore "Lee" Israel]]
|
|-
| 2019
| ''[[The Kitchen (2019 film)|The Kitchen]]''
| Kathy Brennan
|
|-
| 2020
| ''[[Superintelligence (film)|Superintelligence]]''
| Carol Vivian Peters
| rowspan="2" | Also producer
|-
| rowspan=2| 2021
| ''[[Thunder Force (film)|Thunder Force]]''
| Lydia Berman / The Hammer
|-
| ''[[The Starling]]''
| Lilly Maynard
|
|-
| 2022
| ''[[Thor: Love and Thunder]]''
| [[Hela (character)|Hela]] actress
| Cameo
|-
| rowspan=2|2023
| ''[[The Little Mermaid (2023 film)|The Little Mermaid]]''
| [[Ursula (The Little Mermaid)|Ursula]]
| 
|-
| ''[[Genie (2023 film)|Genie]]''
| Flora
| Also executive producer
|-
| 2024
| ''[[Unfrosted]]''
| Donna Stankowski
|
|-
| 2027
| ''[[Margie Claus]]''
| Margie Claus
| Voice; also producer
|}

===Television===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! class="unsortable" |Notes
|-
| 1997
| ''[[Jenny (TV series)|Jenny]]''
| Melissa
| Episode: "A Girl's Gotta Live in the Real World"
|-
| 2000
| ''[[D.C. (TV series)|D.C.]]''
| Molly
| 2 episodes
|-
| 2000–2007
| ''[[Gilmore Girls]]''
| [[Sookie St. James]]
| 153 episodes
|-
| 2002–2005
| ''[[Kim Possible]]''
| DNAmy
| Voice, 3 episodes
|-
| 2004
| ''[[Curb Your Enthusiasm]]''
| Saleswoman
| Episode: "[[List of Curb Your Enthusiasm episodes#Season 4 (2004)|The Surrogate]]"
|-
| 2006
| ''[[I Love the '70s: Volume 2]]''
| Herself
| Documentary miniseries
|-
| 2007–2009
| ''[[Samantha Who?]]''
| [[List of Samantha Who? characters|Dena]]
| 35 episodes
|-
| 2009
| ''[[Rita Rocks]]''
| Mindy Boone
| 5 episodes
|-
| 2010
| ''[[Private Practice (TV series)|Private Practice]]''
| Lynn McDonald
| Episode: "[[Private Practice (season 3)#Episode list|Best Laid Plans]]"
|-
| 2010–2016
| ''[[Mike & Molly]]''
| [[Mike & Molly#Cast|Molly Flynn]]
| 127 episodes
|-
| 2011–2025
| ''[[Saturday Night Live]]''
| Herself / various
| 5 episodes as host, 5 episodes as guest
|-
| 2012
| ''[[The Penguins of Madagascar]]''
| Shelley
| Voice, episode: "Hair Apparent/Love Takes Flightless"
|-
| 2016
| ''[[Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life]]''
| [[Sookie St. James]]
| Episode: "Fall"
|-
| 2017–2018
| ''[[Nobodies (TV series)|Nobodies]]''
| Herself
| 8 episodes; also executive producer
|-
| 2020 
| ''[[Little Big Shots]]''
| Herself (host)
| 13 episodes; also executive producer 
|-
| 2021
| ''[[Nine Perfect Strangers (TV series)|Nine Perfect Strangers]]''
| Frances Welty
| rowspan="2" | 8 episodes; also executive producer
|-
| rowspan="2" |2022
| ''[[God's Favorite Idiot]]''
| Amily Luck
|-
| ''[[The Simpsons]]''
| Calvin
| Voice, episode: "[[Step Brother from the Same Planet]]"
|-
| rowspan="2"|2024
| ''[[RuPaul's Drag Race]]''
| Herself
| Episode: "[[RuPaul's Drag Race (season 16)#Episodes|The Sound of Rusic]]"
|-
| ''[[Only Murders in the Building]]''
| Doreen
| Episode: "Valley of the Dolls"<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2024/05/only-murders-in-the-building-season-4-premiere-date-trailer-1235916354/|title=‘Only Murders In The Building’ Season 4 Gets Premiere Date & Trailer With Melissa McCarthy Joining Cast|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Nellie|last=Andreeva|date=May 14, 2024|access-date=May 14, 2024}}</ref>
|-
| TBA
| ''[[Unspeakable: The Murder of JonBenét Ramsey]]''
| Patsy Ramsey
| Upcoming series
|}

==Awards and nominations==
{{main|List of awards and nominations received by Melissa McCarthy}}

Over her career, McCarthy has received two [[Primetime Emmy Awards]] (out of 8 nominations) winning the [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series]] in 2011 for playing Molly Flynn on the [[CBS]] sitcom ''[[Mike & Molly]]'' (2010–2016), and [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series]] in 2017 for hosting the [[NBC]] sketch series ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' (2011–2017). She also has earned nominations for two [[Academy Awards]], two [[BAFTA Awards]], two [[Golden Globe Awards]] and three [[Screen Actors Guild Awards]].

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Melissa McCarthy}}
* {{IMDb name}}
* {{Emmys person|melissa-mccarthy}}

{{Navboxes
|title = [[List of awards and nominations received by Melissa McCarthy|Awards for Melissa McCarthy]]
|list =
{{Boston Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress}}
{{Boston Society of Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actress}}
{{EmmyAward ComedyLeadActress}}
{{EmmyAward ComedyGuestActress}}
{{Florida Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress}}
{{Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actress}}
{{Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award for Favorite Movie Actress}}
{{Montecito Award}}
{{MTV Movie Award for Best Comedic Performance}}
{{MTV Movie Award for Best Jaw Dropping Moment}}
{{Razzie Redeemer Award}}
{{San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress}}
{{Vancouver Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress}}
}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:McCarthy, Melissa}}
[[Category:1970 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:20th-century American actresses]]
[[Category:21st-century American actresses]]
[[Category:20th-century American comedians]]
[[Category:21st-century American comedians]]
[[Category:Actresses from Illinois]]
[[Category:American people of Irish descent]]
[[Category:American film actresses]]
[[Category:American film producers]]
[[Category:American television actresses]]
[[Category:American people of German descent]]
[[Category:American voice actresses]]
[[Category:American women comedians]]
[[Category:American women screenwriters]]
[[Category:McCarthy family]]
[[Category:Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Primetime Emmy Award winners]]
[[Category:People from Plainfield, Illinois]]
[[Category:Southern Illinois University alumni]]
[[Category:American women film producers]]
[[Category:Writers from Illinois]]
[[Category:Screenwriters from Illinois]]
[[Category:Fashion Institute of Technology alumni]]
[[Category:Comedians from Illinois]]