By Ashley Ross
Melissa McCarthy is famous because she makes us laugh—but beyond just that, she makes us think. She takes the “Get beach body ready!” cover lines on women’s magazines and makes them irrelevant, shedding light on what really matters: her work as a woman, a mother and an actress.
Most recently, she slammed a reporter who mocked her looks in Tammy, calling him out in person at the Toronto Film Festival. She’s also a crusader for change, starting a plus-size clothing line called Melissa McCarthy Seven7 to ensure that all women can dress for their style and mood, no matter her size. As her latest comedy Spy hits theaters Friday, soak up some of her wisdom with her most inspiring quotes.
On fame
On loving life
On body image
On feeling fulfilled
On confidence
On being yourself
On women
On weight
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Inside Elon Musk’s War on Washington
- Meet the 2025 Women of the Year
- The Harsh Truth About Disability Inclusion
- Why Do More Young Adults Have Cancer?
- Colman Domingo Leads With Radical Love
- How to Get Better at Doing Things Alone
- Cecily Strong on Goober the Clown
- Column: The Rise of America’s Broligarchy
Contact us at letters@time.com