Melissa McCarthy was born in Plainfield, Illinois, to Sandra and Michael McCarthy, a farmer. McCarthy began her performing career as a stand-up comedian in New York where she appeared at the famous clubs, Stand Up New York and The Improv. She worked on her acting skills at The Actors Studio and appeared in many stage productions in the city before moving to Los Angeles in the late-1990s. She made a number of TV and movie appearances before making her big breakthrough as Sookie in _"Gilmore Girls" .
Cousin of Amy McCarthy , Lynette McCarthy , Joanne McCarthy and most famously, Jenny McCarthy , on whose show, "The Jenny McCarthy Show" , Melissa made her on-screen debut in 1997.
Is close friends with her former "Samantha Who?" co-star Christina Applegate.
Returned to work 3 months after giving birth to her daughter Vivian to begin filming the 1st season of "Samantha Who?" .
Returned to work 4 months after giving birth to her daughter Georgette to begin filming the 1st season of "Mike & Molly" .
Alumni of the improvisational comedy troupe The Groundlings, where she was a member for nearly 10 years.
Is good friends with Octavia Spencer.
Gave birth to her 1st child at age 36, a daughter Vivian Falcone on May 5, 2007. Childs father is her husband, Ben Falcone.
Gave birth to her 2nd child at age 39, a daughter Georgette Falcone on March 22, 2010. Childs father is her husband, Ben Falcone.
Grew up on a farm and loved playing tennis.
Attended and graduated from St. Francis Academy (now Joliet Catholic Academy) in Joliet, Illinois.
Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6927 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on May 19, 2015.
Parents are Michael and Sandra McCarthy.
Her father is of Irish descent, with roots in County Longford and County Armagh, and her mother is of Irish, German, and English ancestry.
Her favorite film is Planes, Trains & Automobiles .
Was the second-highest paid actress in 2016, behind Jennifer Lawrence.
Fourth highest paid actress of 2017 with $18 million.
I believe it matters how you treat people. I believe in Heaven.
There was a three-year chunk as a teen where I should have been tranquilized and put in a cage.
