08/27/2026
Happy 56th Birthday, Melissa McCarthy! đđ
Born on August 26, 1970, in Plainfield, Illinois, Melissa McCarthy has become one of Hollywoodâs most recognizable comedy stars while also proving her range as a dramatic actress, writer and producer.
Disney fans know her as the wonderfully wicked sea witch Ursula in the 2023 live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid. Starring opposite Halle Bailey as Ariel, Melissa brought her own theatrical energy, humor and menace to one of Disneyâs most iconic villains. đđ
Ursula offers Ariel the chance to become human in exchange for her voice, concealing a plan to seize King Tritonâs crown and rule the seas. Melissa also performed a powerful new rendition of the classic villain song âPoor Unfortunate Souls,â originally written by Disney Legends Alan Menken and Howard Ashman. đ¶đź
Director Rob Marshall believed Melissa made perfect sense for the role. Bringing the tentacled sea witch to life required her to work closely with dancers and stunt performers, whose synchronized movements helped create Ursulaâs dramatic underwater presence. The performance introduced the beloved villain to a new generation while honoring the character made famous by Pat Carroll in Disneyâs 1989 animated classic.
Melissa first became widely known as the warm and quick-witted Sookie St. James in Gilmore Girls. She later starred as Molly Flynn in Mike & Molly, winning the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. đșđ
Her unforgettable performance as Megan in Bridesmaids earned her an Academy Award nomination and helped establish her as a major movie star. She followed it with hit comedies including The Heat, Tammy, Spy, The Boss, Life of the Party and the 2016 Ghostbusters. đđŹ
Melissa also demonstrated her dramatic ability as author Lee Israel in Can You Ever Forgive Me?, earning a second Academy Award nomination. Her other work includes St. Vincent, Nine Perfect Strangers, Little Big Shots and Only Murders in the Building.
Happy 56th Birthday, Melissa McCarthy! đ