Jenny McCarthy was born on November 1, 1972, in Evergreen Park. She attended Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School and went on to study at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, giving her early years a Midwestern foundation before she moved into American entertainment.

McCarthy began her career in 1993 as a nude model for Playboy magazine. She was named Playmate of the Month and was later named Playmate of the Year, recognition that helped establish her public profile. From modeling she moved into presenting and acting, with Singled Out standing among her notable works from that period. She has also worked as a film producer and screenwriter, and she is an autobiographer.

Her screen work drew mixed critical responses. She received the Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actress and the Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Screenplay, indicating pointed criticism of certain projects. She also received the Golden Apple Award. McCarthy works in English and holds United States citizenship.

Beyond entertainment, McCarthy has been publicly active as an anti-vaccine activist, a role that has drawn considerable attention and debate. She remains a living subject, identified across the FACTS as a model, actor, presenter, film producer, screenwriter, and autobiographer, with her career having begun in Playboy in 1993 with her first appearance as a nude model.