Melissa McCarthy

Best known for her leading roles in comedy films after a breakout part as the brash Megan in the 2011 film Bridesmaids, Melissa McCarthy was first beloved on TV as Sookie St. James on Gilmore Girls from 2000 to 2007. McCarthy followed up Gilmore Girls with starring roles in the TV comedies Samantha Who? (2007-2009) and Mike & Molly (2010-2016), for which she won an Emmy.

More recently, the actress has starred in several comedies, including 2013’s The Heat and Identity Thief, 2014’s St. Vincent and Tammy, 2015’s Spy and 2016’s The Boss and Ghostbusters. She announced in April 2016 that she would return for the Netflix revival of Gilmore Girls, set to premiere in November.

An alumna of The Groundlings improv group, McCarthy — a cousin of actress Jenny McCarthy — was also nominated for an Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series Emmy after hosting Saturday Night Live in 2011.

Married to actor Ben Falcone (who appeared in supporting roles in Bridesmaids, The Heat, Identity Thief, Tammy, Spy and The Boss), McCarthy has two daughters, Vivian and Georgette.