Melissa McCarthy Has Choice Words for a Sexist Critic

Melissa McCarthy had a sharp response when a critic took her to task over her appearance in 2014's "Tammy" but later praised her work in another film.

"Tammy" bombed significantly at the box office and with critics, who took to criticizing not only the crummy writing, but McCarthy's appearance, and even her relationship with husband, "Tammy" director Ben Falcone.

McCarthy admits she stopped reading her own negative press. "I've stopped because I finally said, "This is not making me better. This hurts my heart."

Recently, McCarthy has been promoting "Michelle Darnell," which is based upon a character she and husband Falcone created during their days in the Groundlings improv troupe, where they met. With Falcone directing, critics have been at the edge of their seat again, searching for weakness.

Last September, McCarthy claims she took one particularly nasty critic to task for the things he had said regarding her appearance in "Tammy." The critic was there this time to praise her work in "St. Vincent."

"Are you the one who wrote I was only a good actor when I looked more attractive and that my husband should never be allowed to direct me because he allowed me to look so homely?" she asked. "Would you say that to any guy? When John C. Reilly - or any actor - is playing a character that is depressed and dejected, would you say, 'Well, you look terrible!'?"

The mother of an 8-year-old and 5-year-old, both girls, continued, asking if the critic had any daughters of his own. He does.

"Watch what you say to her," she warned. "Do you tell her she's only worthwhile or valid when she's pretty?"

It's a poignant observation from McCarthy, who calls sexism in Hollywood "an intense sickness."

"I'm wildly aware of how deep that rabbit hole goes. But I just don't want to start listening to that stuff. I'm trying to take away the double standard of, 'You're an unattractive b**** because your character was not skipping along in high heels."