Plainfield native McCarthy nominated for Oscar
By Bob Okon bokon@stmedianetwork.com January 24, 2012 2:20PM
Updated: February 26, 2012 8:11AM
Plainfield native Melissa McCarthy has been nominated for an Oscar, stirring lots of reaction Tuesday at her alma mater, Joliet Catholic Academy.
“It’s the news of the day. We’re just thrilled,” said Sister Barb Kwiatkowski, who works in campus ministry at JCA but was dean of students when McCarthy graduated in 1988 from what was then St. Francis Academy.
McCarthy was nominated as best supporting actress for her performance in the comedy “Bridesmaids.” McCarthy played one of the bridesmaids in the movie that was released in May and was nominated for a Golden Globe award.
But McCarthy told Sun-Times Media late last year that winning awards was “the furthest thing from our minds” when making the movie.
“You know, it was all about being funny — doing something that was bawdy and would make people laugh and have fun, especially women who could relate to the whole wedding planning scene,” she said.
McCarthy won an Emmy in September for her role in the CBS sitcom “Mike & Molly.”
Back at JCA, McCarthy is a big success story and an inspiration to the students.
“Everybody’s excited to hear that she’s having success,” Kwiatkowski said. “In her early days she was told she was never going to make it.”
In her high school days, McCarthy was planning to be a fashion designer not an actor. But she was funny and witty — a real “life of the party” girl, Kwiatkowski said.
As dean, Kwiatkowski got to know McCarthy. The former dean described the Oscar nominee as a “good girl.” But back then, Kwiatkowski said, the school had a strict dress code with a school uniform and McCarthy “was always pushing the envelope.”
But McCarthy appeared to be happy to be back at the old school when she was last there in 2009 to receive an Outstanding Career Achievement Award, Kwiatkowski said. McCarthy made a big impression just by mingling with people after the ceremony.
“She stayed for a long time afterward — signing autographs,” Kwiatkowski said.
In September, McCarthy gave a shout-out to her hometown when she exclaimed after receiving her Emmy, “I’m from Plainfield, Ill., and I’m standing here, and it’s kind of amazing.”
McCarthy is married to actor Ben Falcone. They have two children.
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