Jenny McCarthy

Jenny McCarthy at E3 2006

Jenny McCarthy Addresses Audience

Jenny McCarthy is an American actress, model, television host, author, and anti-vaccine activist. Born on November 1, 1972, in Evergreen Park, Illinois, McCarthy first gained fame as a Playboy model, winning the title of Playmate of the Year in 1994. She subsequently embarked on a television and film career, becoming known for her roles in various MTV shows, including Singled Out, and films such as BASEketball and Scary Movie 3.

Early Life

Jenny McCarthy was born into a working-class Catholic family in the Chicago area. She attended Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School and later went on to study nursing at Southern Illinois University. However, her career took a different path when she decided to pursue modeling, leading to her breakthrough in Playboy magazine.

Career

Television and Film

After her success in modeling, McCarthy moved to television, hosting the dating show Singled Out on MTV from 1995 to 1997. Her outgoing personality and comedic timing helped her transition into acting, with roles in various sitcoms and movies. McCarthy has also been a co-host on The View and has had her own talk shows, including The Jenny McCarthy Show.

Author

McCarthy is an author of several books, including memoirs and books on parenting. Her book Louder than Words: A Mother's Journey in Healing Autism is based on her experience with her son, Evan, who was diagnosed with autism. In it, she advocates for alternative medical treatments for autism, a stance that has been met with criticism from the medical community.

Controversy

McCarthy's advocacy against vaccines, particularly her claim that vaccines cause autism, has been highly controversial. Despite a lack of scientific evidence supporting a link between vaccines and autism, McCarthy has remained a prominent figure in the anti-vaccine movement. Her public statements have been criticized by health professionals and scientists who argue that they have contributed to public fear and confusion about vaccines, potentially leading to lower vaccination rates and outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases.

Personal Life

McCarthy has been open about her personal life, including her marriage to actor and director John Asher, with whom she has a son, Evan. The couple divorced in 2005. In 2014, she married actor and singer Donnie Wahlberg.

Filmography

McCarthy's filmography includes a mix of comedy, horror, and television appearances. Notable works include:

• BASEketball (1998)
• Diamonds (1999)
• Scary Movie 3 (2003)
• Dirty Love (2005)
• Santa Baby (2006) TV Movie

Bibliography

McCarthy has written several books, both autobiographical and on the subject of parenting and autism. Some of her notable publications include:

• Jen-X: Jenny McCarthy's Open Book (1997)
• Belly Laughs: The Naked Truth about Pregnancy and Childbirth (2004)
• Louder than Words: A Mother's Journey in Healing Autism (2007)
• Mother Warriors: A Nation of Parents Healing Autism Against All Odds (2008)

Legacy

Jenny McCarthy's career has been marked by her versatility in entertainment and her controversial stance on vaccines and autism. While she has enjoyed success in television, film, and writing, her advocacy work has sparked significant debate and criticism.