Molly Shannon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Molly Shannon
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Shannon in 2023
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| Born | September 16, 1964 Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
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| Education | New York University (BFA) |
| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1983–present |
| Spouse(s) |
Fritz Chesnut
(m. 2004) |
| Children | 2 |
Molly Shannon (born September 16, 1964) is a famous American actress and comedian. She is well-known for her time on the TV show Saturday Night Live from 1995 to 2001. She has also appeared in many movies and TV shows.
In 2017, Molly Shannon won an award called the Film Independent Spirit Award. She won it for her role as Joanne Mulcahey in the movie Other People. She also won a Screen Actors Guild Award in 2024 for her work in Only Murders in the Building.
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Early Life and Education
Molly Shannon was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on September 16, 1964. Her family is Irish-American Catholic.
When Molly was four years old, she was in a car crash. She and her older sister, Mary, survived. Sadly, her younger sister, Katie, her cousin Fran, and her mother passed away in the accident. This was a very difficult time for her family.
Molly went to St. Dominic School and Hawken School when she was younger. Later, she studied drama at New York University. She graduated from NYU's Tisch School of the Arts in 1987.
Acting Career Highlights
Before joining Saturday Night Live, Molly Shannon worked in restaurants and grocery stores. Her first movie role was in the 1989 horror film The Phantom of the Opera. She also had small parts in TV shows like Twin Peaks and In Living Color.
Joining Saturday Night Live
Molly Shannon got her big break in February 1995. She was hired to be a cast member on Saturday Night Live (SNL). She joined the show to replace another actress, Janeane Garofalo, who left because she was not happy with the experience. Molly was one of the few cast members who stayed when the show changed its cast and writers in 1995.
Famous Roles and Characters
During her time on SNL, Molly Shannon created many memorable characters. One of her most famous was Mary Katherine Gallagher. This character was an awkward Catholic school student who dreamed of becoming a musical superstar. Molly even starred in a movie based on this character called Superstar in 1999.
Another popular character was Sally O'Malley. Sally was a proud 50-year-old dancer who loved to "kick, stretch and kick!" Molly also played characters like Circe Nightshade on "Goth Talk" and Terri Rialto on the "Delicious Dish" radio show.
Molly Shannon is also known for her celebrity impressions. She has impersonated many famous people, including Shania Twain, Marie Osmond, Elizabeth Taylor, and Madonna.
Movies and TV Shows
While on SNL, Molly Shannon appeared in several movies. These include Never Been Kissed (1999), How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000), and Osmosis Jones (2001). She left SNL in 2001.
After SNL, Molly continued to act in many films and TV shows.
- In 2003, she was in the movie My Boss's Daughter.
- She had a role in the TV show Scrubs in 2004.
- In 2006, she appeared in Marie Antoinette and Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.
- She also lent her voice to animated films like Igor (2008) and Hotel Transylvania (2012).
- In 2011, Molly Shannon released her first children's book, Tilly the Trickster.
- She co-starred in the HBO comedy Divorce from 2016 to 2019.
- In 2018, she co-hosted the Rose Parade and the Royal Wedding with Will Ferrell as their funny characters, Tish and Cord.
- She has also appeared in recent TV shows like The White Lotus (2021), I Love That for You (2022), and Only Murders in the Building (2024).
Personal Life
Molly Shannon is married to artist Fritz Chesnut. They got married on May 29, 2004. They have two children together.
Awards and Recognitions
Molly Shannon has received several awards and nominations for her acting.
- She won the Best Supporting Female award in 2016 for her role in Other People.
- In 1998, she was part of the cast that won the Best Acting by an Ensemble for the movie Happiness.
- She has also been nominated for Primetime Emmy Awards for her work on Saturday Night Live and Enlightened.
- In 2024, she won a Screen Actors Guild Award for her role in Only Murders in the Building.
Images for kids
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Shannon in 2023
See also
In Spanish: Molly Shannon para niños
