Molly Shannon

Born on Sept. 16, 1964, in Shaker Heights, Ohio, Molly Shannon attended NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and earned a BFA before becoming one of the most sought after comedians in Hollywood.

After appearing in a few movies and television shows, Shannon landed in comedy heaven and earned a slot on Saturday Night Live in 1995 where she immortalized characters like Helen Madden, a licensed “joyologist”, and Mary Katherine Gallagher, a nerdy Catholic school girl.

Shannon’s school girl SNL skit was developed into Superstar, where Shannon reprised her role as Mary Katherine Gallagher, starring opposite Will Ferrell, her SNL co-star. Shannon also appeared with Ferrell in A Night at the Roxbury and Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Rick Bobby.

Since her days on SNL, Shannon has appeared opposite Drew Barrymore in Never Been Kissed, Steve Carrell in Evan Almighty, and Tim Allen in The Santa Clause 2. She has also had small re-occuring roles on shows like Will & Grace, Sex & the City and Glee. In 2008, Shannon starred on the U.S. version of the Australian sitcom, Kath & Kim, with Selma Blair. The show only lasted one season.

In May 2004, she married artist Fritz Chestnut. Together the couple have two children: daughter, Stella and son, Nolan.