Melissa McCarthy: 2011’s Unlikely Breakout Star

Yep, I know what you're thinking. But Melissa McCarthy isn't a "breakout" star. She's a "Gilmore Girls" veteran and the sweetheart of CBS sitcom "Mike and Molly." But forget all that. It is kind of weird to think of Melissa McCarthy as a breakout star, considering she's been on the entertainment scene for-freakin'-ever. True Melissa McCarthy fans have been following her since her teeny role in the action-comedy, "Go" in 1999. She was the spazzy chick who was amused by her gay roommate's romantic love triangle. Melissa barely had two seconds of screen time. But that's all it took. A string of movie roles followed. Nonetheless, it was McCarthy's run as Megan in 2011's "Bridesmaids" that officially put her on the map---again. These examples from the movie shall prove it.

Girls + Flatulence = Cool

Bet you never thought you'd see these three words in a sentence together. "Bridesmaids" just wouldn't be the same without them. Her goofy character makes a foul sound and must apologize to her pals:

"I'm not even confident in which end that came out of…"

Awww. She even makes us love untoward little bodily functions.

Air Marshall Scene

We're used to seeing adolescent men making crude come-ons to the voluptuous actresses in romantic comedies. Melissa flips the script, as she tries to coerce an "Air Marshall" on a flight into a mile-high liaison. In a scene opposite her real life husband, she pushes the limits of female public decency. (This is really putting it nicely.)

Female Fight Club

"We grease up. Surprise!!! Beat the crap out of her…" This was Megan's idea for the Bachelorette party. (She totally rocks.)

Switching Gears

What perhaps really made Melissa McCarthy a household name is her ability to switch gears in this female raunch-fest. Although she spends much of the time spewing gross one-liners, she shifts effortlessly into Annie's wise, caring friend. Her inflection and posture changes almost imperceptibly---the mark of "serious" actress.

The Cruise Ship Story

In one scene, Megan tells her cruise ship story; somehow she took a long hard fall, breaking several bones. The story continues to spiral madly out of control; she ultimately reveals having a telepathic connection with a dolphin that saved her life. But we don't really care about the twisted details of the story. We just can't stop looking at her. Those twitchy gestures and insane facial expressions are simply priceless.

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