Samantha Who? (Mondays, 9:30-10:00 p.m., ET)
MELISSA MCCARTHY
Dena on the ABC Television Network's "Samantha Who?"
Born and raised in Plainfield, Illinois -- just outside of Chicago - Melissa McCarthy first made her mark on the comedy stage, performing stand up in New York at The Improv and Stand Up New York. At the same time, she received dramatic training from The Actors Studio in New York and starred in a variety of stage productions throughout the city.
Since moving to Los Angeles, McCarthy's quick wit gets a workout almost every weekend as a member of The Groundlings Main Company, a world-renowned improv and sketch troupe.
McCarthy is best known for her role as the clumsy culinary genius, Sookie St. James, in "Gilmore Girls." She also guest starred in "Curb Your Enthusiasm." On the big screen, she held a leading role in the film "The Nines," starring Hope Davis and Ryan Reynolds, directed by John August; and supporting roles in the independent films "Just Add Water," starring Danny DeVito and Dylan Walsh, directed by Hart Bochner, and "Pretty Ugly People," starring Josh Hopkins, Missi Pyle and Allison Janney. She appeared in "The Life of David Gale," with Kevin Spacey, "White Oleander," with Michelle Pfeiffer, "Pumpkin," with Christina Ricci, and "Go," directed by Doug Liman. In addition McCarthy starred in John August's short film, "God," as a young woman having gossipy phone conversations and a short-lived spat with the Almighty.
Recently turning her creative attentions to writing, directing and producing, McCarthy created the short film "Polk Valley," and played the main character.
McCarthy currently lives in Los Angeles.
PERSONAL INFORMATION
HOMETOWN Plainfield, IL
BIRTHDATE August 26
