Melissa McCarthy's amazing transformation

By Wonderwall.com Editors 8:42am PDT, Aug 24, 2017

We love that comedy star Melissa McCarthy — who's lost more than 50 pounds since 2012 — oozes with confidence at any size. In honor of her 46th birthday on Aug. 26, 2017, Wonderwall.com is taking a look back at her amazing transformation. Keep reading to see how she and her style have changed over the years!

The year 2000 was a big one for Melissa McCarthy. In addition to appearing in films "Drowning Mona," "The Kid" and "Charlie's Angels," she also debuted as perky chef Sookie St. James on Season 1 of The WB's "Gilmore Girls." The actress reportedly lost more than 50 pounds between the third and fourth seasons of the show but was forced to wear pads when her on-screen alter ego got pregnant. "That's the irony," she told TV Guide in 2003.

Melissa McCarthy starred on "Gilmore Girls" until 2007. She then had roles on "Samantha Who?" and "Rita Rocks" before "Mike & Molly" debuted in 2010. The actress's specific look helped her win the lead role on the sitcom, which centered around an elementary school teacher and a police officer who fall in love after meeting in a Chicago Overeaters Anonymous group. The series aired until May 2016.

Melissa McCarthy scored her first major movie breakthrough with the 2011 comedy "Bridesmaids." She wore this black long-sleeved dress with a lacy bodice to the film's Los Angeles premiere in April 2011.

At the time this photo was taken at the Hollywood premiere of "Tammy" in June 2014, Melissa McCarthy seemed indifferent about her weight. "I could eat healthier, I could drink less," she told Rolling Stone. But not long after, her nonchalant attitude changed…

By August 2014, Melissa McCarthy was already showing signs of shaping up. She revealed a more defined waist in a tulle Marchesa gown during the Emmy Awards.

The incredible shrinking woman! People noticed when Melissa McCarthy showed up to the P.S. ARTS Express Yourself event in November 2014 looking much slimmer. Whatever she had done in the last five months was definitely working.

New year, new Melissa McCarthy! In January 2015, the actress stepped out looking fabulous in a curve-accentuating leather-embellished jacket during the People's Choice Awards.

Can you see the difference? Melissa McCarthy struck an oh-so-confident pose in a look she actually put together herself for the Golden Globe Awards in January 2015. It only makes sense that she launched her own fashion lin e just a few months later.

Melissa McCarthy's waist just kept shrinking during 2015. She looked svelte in a sparkling black gown — again cinched around her middle — during the "Saturday Night Live" 40th Anniversary special taping in New York City that February.

Melissa McCarthy's weight loss was really evident in her face during the SXSW premiere of "Spy" in Austin, Texas, in March 2015. She beamed while flashing a winning grin on the red carpet.

Melissa McCarthy continued to show off her weight loss — this time in a lovely purple and nude frock– during her Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony in May 2015. There her waist goes, getting smaller again…

Melissa McCarthy wore edgy brown leather leggings during the German premiere of "Spy" in May 2015. Show off those gams, girl!

Melissa McCarthy just kept getting more fierce and fit. She rocked a gorgeous snakeskin-print gown during the London premiere of "Spy" in May 2015.

Melissa McCarthy looked pretty in pink in a floor-length dress from her Seven7 collection during the New York City premiere of "Spy" in June 2015.

White isn't always the most forgiving color, but shrinking Melissa McCarthy rocked it while out and about in New York City in June 2015. Work it!

Even in layers — a long fringe cardigan and a scarf over jeans and a turtleneck top — Melissa McCarthy looked trim while arriving for an appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" in November 2015.

So cute! We salute Melissa McCarthy for the adorable outfit — a long-sleeved shirt with shoulder embellishments tucked into a patterned A-line skirt — she donned in an advertisement for her Seven7 line's holiday 2015 collection.

Melissa McCarthy beamed at the 73rd Annual Golden Globe Awards in January 2016 in a dress she designed with collaborators from her Melissa McCarthy Seven7 label. "I had just finished designing the spring collection for my line, which was inspired by Studio 54 and all things Bowie," the funny woman told Vogue. "I've always been obsessed with the drape and sex appeal of certain 1970s dresses. The second we saw that metallic panne velvet, we all thought 'kimono dress.'" Bravo!

Melissa McCarthy had us seeing green when she arrived at the 21st Annual Critics' Choice Awards in January 2016 in this stunning printed gown from her eponymous fashion line.

Melissa McCarthy somehow pulled off a floral-print jumpsuit — an impressive feat for any fashionista — during the Sydney premiere of "The Boss" in March 2016.

Melissa McCarthy was a vision in white in a pleated maxiskirt and a blouse with a front-tie peep-hole detail from her Seven7 line during the Los Angeles premiere of "The Boss" in March 2016.

YAS, queen! Melissa McCarthy rocked a jumpsuit comprised of a leather bustier and harem pants while picking up the Comedic Genius Award during the MTV Movie Awards in April 2016. Bow down!

Melissa McCarthy continued her love affair with prints during a visit to the BBC Radio 2 studios in London in June 2016. She wore a pretty blush-hued blouse tucked into a pleated zig-zag print skirt that accentuated her new figure. "Clothing has that remarkable ability to make us feel good about ourselves," she told People magazine around the time this photo was taken. "It should show off your personality!"

Even in a relaxed, layered, off-duty ensemble, Melissa McCarthy looked fabulous while traveling through LAX Airport in June 2016. Look at that smile! Girl knows she looks good.

Mellow in yellow? Hardly! Melissa McCarthy stunned in a fit-and-flare dress of her own design during the Los Angeles premiere of "Ghostbusters" in July 2016. "It's an elegant version of new and old Hollywood," stylist Judy B. Swartz, who helped create the look with the actress, told Pret-a-Reporter. "And the takeaway from that look for any woman is not to be afraid to experiment and to always keep your look evolving." Cheers to that!

Lovely in lace! Melissa McCarthy looked trim and confident when she attended the Gilda Radner Award for Innovation in Comedy event in July 2016 wearing a black ensemble with a curve-hugging skirt and a nude bodice with a black lace overlay and bell sleeves. Très chic!

Melissa McCarthy flaunted her figure in curve-hugging floral-print separates during the People's Choice Awards in January 2017. A unique — and tough! — look to pull off, but she did it like a pro.

What's black and white and watched all over? Melissa McCarthy in a long-sleeved, black-and-white print, midi-length dress (her preferred silhouette!), which she wore while hosting "Saturday Night Live" in May 2017. Things sure have changed for our favorite funnywoman over the years!