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Molly Shannon Biography

Birth Name:Molly Helen Shannon

Birth Place:Shaker Heights, Ohio, United States

Profession Actress, Soundtrack, Writer

Fast Facts

Won the 2016 Spotlight Award at the Savannah Film Festival
Earned her BFA in Drama from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts in 1987
Has two children with artist Fritz Chesnut
Supported herself with odd jobs for nine years before she got her first steady acting job
Acted in several films based off of "Saturday Night Live" characters, such as "Superstar" and "A Night at the Roxbury․"
Known for playing the characters of Mary Katherine Gallagher and Helen Madden on "Saturday Night Live․"
Her wedding dress was designed by the head of the "Saturday Night Live" wardrobe department, Dale Richards
Presented at the 2000 GLAAD Media Awards
Appeared in the music video for "A Change (Will Do You Good․)"
Published a children's book called "Tilly the Trickster․"
Was a spokesperson for Expedia․com in 2012

Awards

1997OFTA Television Award-Best Host or Performer in a Variety, Musical, or Comedy Series: nominated
1998NBR Award-Best Acting by an Ensemble: winner
2000Blockbuster Entertainment Award-Favorite Actress - Comedy: nominated
2000OFTA Television Award-Best Host or Performer in a Variety, Musical, or Comedy Series: winner
2000Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program: nominated
2001Blockbuster Entertainment Award-Favorite Supporting Actress - Comedy: nominated
2006TV Guide Award-Editor's Choice: winner
2013BTVA Feature Film Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a Feature Film: nominated
2013Critics' Choice TV Award-Best Guest Performer in a Comedy Series: nominated
2013Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2016ACCA-Best Actress in a Supporting Role: nominated
2016IFJA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2016WAFCA Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2017Movies for Grownups Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
2017Independent Spirit Award-Best Supporting Female: winner
2017Gold Derby Film Award-Supporting Actress: nominated
2018FilmOut Festival Award-Best Actress: winner
2018Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Guest Actress: nominated
2018OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2018Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2019INOCA TV-Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2020Critics Choice Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2020OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2022Critics Choice Award-Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: nominated
2023Independent Spirit Award-Best Supporting Performance in a New Scripted Series: nominated
2025Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: winner