“Gilmore Girls,” a very popular comedy-drama television show, premiered 23 years ago, on Oct. 5, 2000.

But, did you know that Melissa McCarthy, who plays Sookie St. James in the show, is from Plainfield, Illinois?

McCarthy was born on Aug. 26, 1970, in Plainfield. She was raised on a corn and soybean farm in a large Catholic family. She graduated from St. Francis Academy, now Joliet Catholic Academy. She also attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale.

McCarthy began her performing career as a stand-up comedian in New York City. She worked on her acting skills at the Actors Studio, and appeared in stage productions. Later, McCarthy moved to Los Angeles. But McCarthy’s big break came when she was cast as Sookie St. James, Lorelai Gilmore’s best friend in the show “Gilmore Girls.”

McCarthy’s success on “Gilmore Girls” may be her claim to fame, but her most notable role is the character Megan in the 2011 film “Bridesmaids.”

McCarthy has received several nominations and awards for her roles in the CBS sitcom “Mike & Molly” and “Bridesmaids.”