Molly Shannon Biography, Life, Interesting Facts

Childhood And Early Life

Actress and comedian Molly Shannon was born in Shaker Heights, Ohio. Molly Shannon was born the youngest of three days. Her mother Mary Keating was a school teacher, and her father, James Shannon worked in sales.  When Molly Shannon was four years old, tragedy struck the family when Mary Shannon and one of her daughters died in a motor accident which left James Shannon disabled.

Education

As a child, Molly attended a Catholic school, St Dominic School,  followed by Hawken School, Gates Mills. She then went to New York to study at the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University. Shannon graduated with a BA in 1987, having studied drama.

Personal Life And Legacy

Molly Shannon married Fritz Chesnut in 2004, and they have two children.

Religion

Molly was brought up in an American-Irish Roman Catholic family.

Rise To Stardom

Moving to LA, Molly found it tough going at first. She worked in restaurants and auditioned, doing what jobs she could to support herself. She had a small part in The Phantom of the Opera (1989), a walk on part in Twin Peaks (1991) and did some work on In Living Color (1993). Then in 1995, she auditioned for Saturday Night Life and was asked to join the cast.

Career

Molly Shannon found success on Saturday Night Life with characters Mary Katherine Gallagher and Sally O’Malley both reflecting her Irish Catholic roots and upbringing. While working on Saturday Night Life, she starred in some films including  Superstar (1999). Superstar was about a shy Catholic school girl intent on becoming a superstar. It featured one of Molly Shannon famous characters, Mary Katherine Gallagher.  Other films included Never Been Kissed (1999) and How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000).

And after leaving Saturday Night Life in 2001, Molly Shannon, appeared The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006), Evan Almighty (2007), HBO’s Divorce (2106)  Later work includes Enchanted with Laura Dern 2013. And Divorce 2016.  She also had a role in the comedy-drama Other People (2016).

Molly Shannon appeared in Kath and Kim (2008) was an American version of an Australian television comedy series that had been wildly successful in Australia. The show did not resonant with American viewers.

Major Works

Molly is best known for her appearance on the SNL between 1995-2001.

Awards And Achievements

In 2013, Molly was nominated for a Primetime Award again in 2011 for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for Enlightened (2011). And in 2017, she won the Film Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female in Other People (2016)