Molly Shannon, born on September 16, 1964, in Shaker Heights, Ohio, is an American actress and comedian known for her work on "Saturday Night Live" and in films like "Superstar" and "The White Lotus." She grew up in a family of Irish descent and faced tragedy at a young age when her mother and sister died in a car accident caused by a drunk driver when she was just four years old.

Molly Shannon was raised by her aunt and attended St. Dominic School and Hawken School in Ohio. She later studied drama at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, graduating in 1987.

She began her career in comedy and acting by performing at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York City. She gained national recognition as a cast member on "Saturday Night Live" from 1995 to 2001, where she created memorable characters like Mary Katherine Gallagher and Sally O'Malley.

Her performance on the show earned her an Emmy nomination in 2000. She has also appeared in numerous films, including "Never Been Kissed," "Year of the Dog," "Evan Almighty," and "Hotel Transylvania."

Molly Shannon has also written a children's book titled "Tilly the Trickster" and continues to perform stand-up comedy. She is married to actor Fritz Chesnut, and they have two children together.