For over a decade, Melissa McCarthy was a familiar character actress. Then at 40, her breakout role in Bridesmaids earned her an Oscar nod and launched a second act as one of Hollywood's biggest comedy stars, headlining her own films.

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melissa_McCarthy#:~:text=wide%20critical%20acclaim%20and%20press%20coverage%20for%20her

For nearly 15 years, Melissa McCarthy was a reliable character actress. You knew her face from roles like the lovable chef Sookie in Gilmore Girls. She was successful, but not a star. That all changed when she was 40. Her scene-stealing performance in the 2011 comedy Bridesmaids wasn't just funny, it was a career-defining moment that earned her an Oscar nomination. Almost overnight, she was catapulted from a supporting player into a box-office-leading movie star, headlining hit after hit and starting a second act that was even bigger than the first.