
Melissa McCarthy
ActingAbout Melissa McCarthy
Melissa Ann McCarthy (born August 26, 1970) is an American actress, screenwriter, and producer. She has received numerous accolades, including two Primetime Emmy Awards and nominations for two Academy Awards and two Golden Globe Awards. McCarthy was named by Time as one of the 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. In 2020, The New York Times ranked her #22 in its list of the 25 Greatest Actors of the 21st Century. McCarthy began appearing on television and in film in the late 1990s. She first gained recognition for her role as Sookie St. James on the television series Gilmore Girls (2000–2007). She played Dena on the ABC sitcom Samantha Who? (2007–2009) before starring as Molly Flynn on the CBS sitcom Mike & Molly (2010–2016), for which she received the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 2011. McCarthy's appearances as a host on Saturday Night Live (2011–2017) led to a win for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series in 2017. McCarthy gained critical acclaim for her performance in the comedy film Bridesmaids (2011), receiving a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She went on to star in several commercially successful comedies, including Identity Thief (2013), The Heat(2013), Tammy (2014), St. Vincent (2014), Spy (2015), and The Boss (2016). In 2018, McCarthy received critical acclaim for portraying writer Lee Israel in the biographical film Can You Ever Forgive Me? (2018), earning a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress. She has since starred in the drama miniseries Nine Perfect Strangers (2021) and played Ursula in the musical fantasy 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 Life of the Party (2018), Super Intelligence (2020), and Thunder Force (2021). In 2015, she launched her clothing line for plus-sized women named Melissa McCarthy Seven7. She received a motion picture star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Description above from the Wikipedia Melissa McCarthy, article licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Melissa McCarthy reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Comedy
The majority of Melissa McCarthy's filmography leans towards the Comedy genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.
The "Box Office" Signature
With a 40% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Melissa McCarthy remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Adele One Night Only, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Melissa McCarthy Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Melissa McCarthy's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Melissa McCarthy.
Melissa McCarthy - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of Melissa McCarthy?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Melissa McCarthy is "Adele One Night Only" with a rating of 7.8/10.
How many movies has Melissa McCarthy acted in?
Melissa McCarthy has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by Melissa McCarthy?
Other notable films include "Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music", "The Life of David Gale", and "Love, Gilda".



