Melissa McCarthy (born August 26, 1970) is an American film and television actress, comedian, writer and producer. McCarthy is known for her role as Sookie St. James on the The WB television series Gilmore Girls, where she starred from 2000 to 2007. From 2007 to 2009, she portrayed Dena on the ABC sitcom Samantha Who?. She currently stars in the CBS sitcom Mike & Molly, for which she won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series in 2011. She is also known for her performances in the films The Nines, The Back-up Plan, Life as We Know It, and her breakthrough role in the 2011 comedy hit Bridesmaids.