Career Timeline of Melissa McCarthy: Major Achievements and Milestones
Discover the career path of Melissa McCarthy, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Melissa McCarthy is a highly acclaimed American comedian, actress, and producer. She's won two Primetime Emmy Awards and received nominations for Academy Awards and Golden Globe Awards. Time recognized her as one of the 100 most influential people in 2016, and she's consistently ranked among the highest-paid actresses globally. The New York Times lauded her as one of the 25 greatest actors of the 21st century.
1999: Film Debut in Go
In 1999, Melissa McCarthy made her feature film debut in a minor role in the comedy Go.
2000: Cast as Sookie St. James in Gilmore Girls
In 2000, Melissa McCarthy was cast as Sookie St. James, the upbeat and klutzy best friend of Lorelai Gilmore, on The WB television series Gilmore Girls.
2007: Starred in The Nines and Samantha Who?
In 2007, Melissa McCarthy starred in 'The Nines', and also starred as Dena Stevens on the ABC sitcom 'Samantha Who?'.
2010: Starred in Mike & Molly
In 2010, Melissa McCarthy played Molly Flynn on the CBS sitcom Mike & Molly (2010–2016).
2010: Played supporting roles in The Back-up Plan and Life as We Know It
In 2010, Melissa McCarthy played supporting roles in films The Back-up Plan and Life as We Know It.
June 2011: Hosted Women in Film Crystal + Lucy Awards
In June 2011, Melissa McCarthy hosted the Women in Film Crystal + Lucy Awards.
October 1, 2011: Hosted Saturday Night Live
On October 1, 2011, Melissa McCarthy hosted Saturday Night Live.
2011: Breakout Performance in Bridesmaids and Emmy Award
In 2011, Melissa McCarthy had a breakout performance in the comedy film Bridesmaids, receiving wide critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination. In the fall, she received her first Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her role on Mike & Molly.
2011: Academy Award Nomination for Bridesmaids
In 2011, Melissa McCarthy received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role as a comedic bridesmaid in the comedy Bridesmaids.
June 2012: Invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
In June 2012, Melissa McCarthy was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences along with 175 others.
April 6, 2013: Hosted Saturday Night Live
On April 6, 2013, Melissa McCarthy hosted Saturday Night Live.
June 28, 2013: The Heat Released
On June 28, 2013, The Heat, starring Melissa McCarthy and Sandra Bullock, was released in the United States and Canada to both critical and commercial success.
2013: Founded On the Day Productions
In 2013, Melissa McCarthy and her husband Ben Falcone founded the production company On the Day Productions, with 'Tammy' as their first project.
2013: Starred in Identity Thief and The Heat
In 2013, Melissa McCarthy starred in the commercially successful comedies Identity Thief and The Heat.
February 1, 2014: Hosted Saturday Night Live
On February 1, 2014, Melissa McCarthy hosted Saturday Night Live.
2014: Starred in Tammy and St. Vincent
In 2014, Melissa McCarthy starred in the commercially successful comedies Tammy and St. Vincent.
2014: Tammy Released and Starred in St. Vincent
In 2014, the film Tammy, co-written by Melissa McCarthy, was released, and she also starred in the comedy-drama film St. Vincent.
May 2015: Received Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
In May 2015, Melissa McCarthy received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
August 2015: Ranked as Third Highest-Paid Actress
In August 2015, Forbes ranked Melissa McCarthy as the third highest-paid actress of 2015, with earnings of $23 million.
August 2015: Debuted Melissa McCarthy Seven7 Clothing Line
In August 2015, Melissa McCarthy's clothing collection, Melissa McCarthy Seven7, debuted on the Home Shopping Network.
2015: Launched Clothing Line and Received Hollywood Walk of Fame Star
In 2015, Melissa McCarthy launched her own clothing line for plus-sized women, named Melissa McCarthy Seven7, and she received a motion picture star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
2015: Starred in Spy
In 2015, Melissa McCarthy starred in the commercially successful comedy Spy.
February 13, 2016: Hosted Saturday Night Live
On February 13, 2016, Melissa McCarthy hosted Saturday Night Live.
April 7, 2016: Announced Return to Gilmore Girls Revival
On April 7, 2016, Melissa 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.
November 25, 2016: Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life Released
On November 25, 2016, the series Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life was released on Netflix, and Melissa McCarthy appeared in one of its four episodes.
2016: Starred in Mike & Molly
In 2016, Melissa McCarthy continued her role in the CBS sitcom Mike & Molly.
2016: Mike & Molly ended
In 2016, Melissa McCarthy played Molly Flynn on the CBS sitcom Mike & Molly ended.
2016: Recorded "Anything You Can Do (I Can Do Better)" with Barbra Streisand
In 2016, Melissa McCarthy 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.
2016: Starred in The Boss and Ghostbusters Reboot
In 2016, Melissa McCarthy starred in the comedy film The Boss and the all-female reboot of Ghostbusters.
May 12, 2017: Hosted Saturday Night Live
On May 12, 2017, Melissa McCarthy hosted Saturday Night Live.
May 13, 2017: Hosted Saturday Night Live
On May 13, 2017 Melissa McCarthy hosted Saturday Night Live portraying Sean Spicer.
2017: Won Emmy for Saturday Night Live Hosting
In 2017, Melissa McCarthy won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for hosting Saturday Night Live.
May 11, 2018: Life of the Party Released
On May 11, 2018, Life of the Party, starring and produced by Melissa McCarthy and directed by Ben Falcone, was released.
August 24, 2018: The Happytime Murders Released
On August 24, 2018, The Happytime Murders, starring Melissa McCarthy, was released.
2018: Starred in Can You Ever Forgive Me?
In 2018, Melissa McCarthy starred as celebrity biographer Lee Israel in the dark comedy-drama film Can You Ever Forgive Me?, receiving high praise for her performance.
June 28, 2019: In talks to play Ursula in The Little Mermaid
On June 28, 2019, it was announced that Melissa McCarthy was in talks to play Ursula in Disney's film The Little Mermaid.
2019: Starred in The Kitchen
In 2019, Melissa McCarthy starred in the crime film The Kitchen. The film received mostly negative reviews from critics and was a box-office bomb, though McCarthy's performance was praised.
February 18, 2020: Confirmed casting as Ursula in The Little Mermaid
On February 18, 2020, Melissa McCarthy confirmed her casting as Ursula in Disney's film The Little Mermaid during an interview on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
2020: Produced Super Intelligence
In 2020, Melissa McCarthy and her husband Ben Falcone collaborated on the comedy film Super Intelligence through their production company, On the Day Productions.
August 2021: Joined 40x40 Campaign
In August 2021, Melissa McCarthy joined the 40x40 campaign launched by Meghan Markle to mentor women reentering the workforce.
2021: Produced Thunder Force
In 2021, Melissa McCarthy and her husband Ben Falcone collaborated on the comedy film Thunder Force through their production company, On the Day Productions.
2021: Starred in Thunder Force and The Starling
In 2021, Melissa McCarthy starred in the superhero comedy film Thunder Force and the comedy-drama film The Starling, both of which were released on Netflix.
2021: Leading Role in Nine Perfect Strangers
In 2021, Melissa McCarthy took a leading role in the miniseries Nine Perfect Strangers.
2022: Co-starred in God's Favorite Idiot
In 2022, Melissa McCarthy co-starred with Ben Falcone in the Netflix comedy series, God's Favorite Idiot.
2023: Played Ursula in The Little Mermaid
In 2023, Melissa McCarthy played Ursula in the musical fantasy film The Little Mermaid.
2023: The Little Mermaid Release
In 2023, The Little Mermaid, starring Melissa McCarthy as Ursula, was released and grossed over $569 million worldwide.
2024: Guest Role in Only Murders in the Building
In 2024, Melissa McCarthy had a guest role in the comedy series Only Murders in the Building.
December 6, 2025: Hosted Saturday Night Live
On December 6, 2025, Melissa McCarthy hosted Saturday Night Live.
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