Melissa Ann McCarthy (born August 26, 1970) is an American actress, comedian, writer, fashion designer and producer. McCarthy first gained recognition for her role as Sookie St. James on the television series Gilmore Girls from 2000 to 2007. From 2007 to 2009, she appeared as Dena on the ABC sitcom Samantha Who?. McCarthy was then cast as Molly Flynn on the CBS sitcom Mike & Molly, on which she starred from 2010 to 2016 and earned her a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series as well as two other nominations during subsequent seasons. She has also been nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for her work as host on Saturday Night Live three years consecutively.