Having previously been nominated for 'Bridesmaids', Melissa McCarthy just got her second Oscar nod for 'Can You Ever Forgive Me?'
In 'Can You Ever Forgive Me?', Melissa McCarthy plays real-life author Lee Israel. It is a decidedly more dramatic role than we're used to seeing from the comedic actress.
Admittedly, McCarthy has been in a few stinkers such as 'The Happytime Murders' and 'Ghostbusters'. Her movies vary from okay ('The Heat', 'Spy') to below average ('Tammy', 'Identity Thief', 'The Boss'), but she always outshines the material.
The actress has delivered some great roles across TV and film across her career. These are what we think have been her five best performances.
5. Molly Flynn in 'Mike and Molly'
Before her breakout in 'Bridesmaids', McCarthy's career was on the up thanks to roles in 'Samantha Who?' and 'Mike and Molly'. She became particularly renowned for the latter, with Billy Gardell playing the other half of the eponymous couple who meet in an Overeaters Anonymous group and fall in love. McCarthy won an Emmy for her performance in 2010.
4. Sookie St. James in 'Gilmore Girls'
If you grew up in the early to mid 2000s, then 'Gilmore Girls' was probably the show that introduced you to Melissa McCarthy. As the clumsy and upbeat Sookie, it was a joy to watch the character meet 'the one', get married and start a family, all while always being a best friend and supportive business partner to Lorelai.
3. Sean Spicer in 'SNL'
Easily the best role Melissa McCarthy has had on SNL - in fact aside from Alec Baldwin's Trump, it's their best impersonation in recent years - is Sean Spicer. McCarthy brought the White House Press Secretary to life across about a handful of sketches in 2017. The sense of outrage she brings to the part is palpable and seriously, it's genuine comic gold.
2. Lee Israel in 'Can You Ever Forgive Me?'
McCarthy's latest role sees her play a one-time bestselling author who starts forging letters from deceased writers and playwrights to make a living. Even though her character can be unpleasant, and you know that her financial woes are largely the result of stubbornness, McCarthy plays her in such a way that you sympathize with and root for her. Living on the dowdy, grimy side of the stereotypically glamorous city of New York, she epitomizes the rejected artist.
1. Megan in 'Bridesmaids'
All the talented actresses of 'Bridesmaids' made the comedy a success, yes, but you can't deny that McCarthy stood out. Aside from the scene below, her best moments in the film included meeting Annie (Kristen Wiig) for the first time, flirting with Air Marshall Jon (played by real-life husband Ben Falcone), her sitdown with Annie about her "pity party" and, of course, stealing all the puppies. Living the dream that is.
