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Molly Shannon

Molly Shannon has successfully segued from television to the silver screen and has quickly become one of Hollywood's most sought after talents. She can currently be seen starring in Year of the Dog, for writer/director Mike White. The very busy Shannon recently appeared in Keenen Ivory Wayans' comedy Little Man, as well as Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, with Will Ferrell, and had a cameo in the box-office smash Scary Movie 4. In addition, Shannon was recently featured in two independent films, Sue Kramer's Gray Matters and Bruce Leddy's Sing Now or Forever Hold Your Peace.

Among Shannon's most memorable moments on film are her portrayal of Betty Lou Who in Ron Howard's worldwide blockbuster Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas and her title role in Paramount's hit comedy Superstar, portraying everybody's favorite Catholic schoolgirl, Mary Katherine Gallagher-a character Shannon created during her days on Saturday Night Live.

Additional feature film credits include A Night at the Roxbury, a spinoff of the popular head-bopping, nightclubbing brothers sketch on Saturday Night Live; Warner Bros.' comedy Analyze This, opposite Billy Crystal and Robert De Niro; Todd Solondz's controversial Happiness; and Fox 2000's Never Been Kissed, opposite Drew Barrymore.

Additional credits include the CGI/live-action comedy Good Boy!; My Boss's Daughter; Miramax's romantic comedy Serendipity, opposite John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale; the animated comedy Osmosis Jones, co-starring Bill Murray; the independent feature film Wet Hot American Summer, opposite Janeane Garofalo and David Hyde Pierce; and a cameo role in Disney's The Santa Clause 2, opposite Tim Allen.

On television, Shannon was last seen opposite Christopher MacDonald and Jason Schwartzman in the offbeat comedy series Cracking Up. She also starred in the USA Network original film 12 Days of Christmas Eve and appeared in the remake of the classic musical The Music Man, co-starring Matthew Broderick and Kristin Chenoweth.

Her television series credits include multiple guest appearances on Will & Grace and Sex and the City, among many others. Additionally, Shannon spent six seasons as a member of the repertory company on Saturday Night Live, primarily known for the eclectic characters she created. In addition to Mary Katherine Gallagher, she is also praised for her parodies of Courtney Love, Liza Minnelli, Monica Lewinsky and Meredith Vieira, roles that continue to be a highlight among the revitalized ensemble cast.

Prior to joining SNL, she appeared at the Up Front Comedy Theater in Los Angeles in The Rob and Molly Show, an improvisational show she co-wrote with Rob Muir.

Born in Shaker Heights, Ohio, Shannon earned a BFA in drama from New York University's prestigious Tisch School of the Arts. She currently lives in Los Angeles and New York.


Note: This profile was written in or before 2007.
Read earlier biographies on this page.

Molly Shannon Facts

OccupationActress
BirthdaySeptember 16, 1964 (58)
SignVirgo
BirthplaceShaker Heights, Ohio, USA
Height5' 5" (1m65)  How tall is Molly Shannon compared to you?

Selected Filmography

Not available.