Billy Gardell Reveals How Melissa McCarthy Taught Him to ‘Trust’ in Romantic Moments on ‘Mike & Molly’
In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Billy Gardell, the star of ‘Bob Hearts Abishola,’ opens up about the invaluable lessons he learned from his time on the hit sitcom ‘Mike & Molly,’ specifically crediting Melissa McCarthy for teaching him the importance of trust in both comedic and romantic scenes.
Gardell, now 54, fondly recalls his six seasons on ‘Mike & Molly,’ which ran from 2010 to 2016 and earned the duo widespread acclaim. While the sitcom was celebrated for its humor, Gardell emphasizes that it was the trust between him and McCarthy that made the romantic scenes authentic.
“The funny is easy, but when you have to play a romantic moment or a sad moment, you have to really trust your partner’s going to be there for you,” Gardell explains. “I learned from Melissa to trust and be able to do those romantic scenes, which I didn’t think I would be able to do. But because of the trust level with her, she made it safe to do that.”
The Emmy-winning ‘Mike & Molly’ catapulted both actors into stardom, and while McCarthy has found continued success in film and TV, Gardell has gone on to headline the CBS sitcom ‘Bob Hearts Abishola,’ currently in its fifth and final season.
Reflecting on his career trajectory, Gardell expresses gratitude for the rare achievement of landing back-to-back sitcoms. “The idea that I got back-to-back sitcoms is just staggering,” he says. “I mean, you should rub me for luck.”
Gardell’s journey to Hollywood was far from instantaneous. Raised in Pittsburgh and having experienced the divorce of his parents in 1978, he moved to Florida with his mother and siblings during high school. Gardell started working at age 15 to support his family, leading to a janitorial job at a comedy club and eventually his introduction to stand-up comedy.
“I did five minutes and was really funny, and then I just sucked for two years, but the bug was in me,” he shares, reflecting on the early days of his comedy career.
After nine years on the road, Gardell’s move to L.A. marked a turning point. Success in stand-up and appearances on shows like ‘Yes, Dear’ paved the way for ‘Mike & Molly,’ where he portrayed one half of a couple who meets at an Overeaters Anonymous meeting.
Recalling the impact of ‘Mike & Molly,’ Gardell acknowledges, “Man, that was a once-in-a-lifetime meteor. … That cast lifted me to a height that I didn’t know I was capable of.” He expresses immense luck and gratitude for those who recognized his talent and paved the way for his success.
Beyond the glitz of Hollywood, Gardell pays tribute to his wife of 23 years, Patty, and their 23-year-old son William, calling Patty “the reason I’m a decent human being.” He shares a valuable insight into their lasting marriage, quoting his wife: “My wife always says marriage isn’t a ‘give and a take.’ It’s a ‘give and a give.’”
As Billy Gardell continues to shine on ‘Bob Hearts Abishola,’ his journey from stand-up comedy to sitcom stardom stands as a testament to talent, perseverance, and the meaningful partnerships that shape a career.
In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Billy Gardell, the star of ‘Bob Hearts Abishola,’ opens up about the invaluable lessons he learned from his time on the hit sitcom ‘Mike & Molly,’ specifically crediting Melissa McCarthy for teaching him the importance of trust in both comedic and romantic scenes. Gardell, now 54, fondly recalls his…