Molly Shannon opens new memoir with accident that killed mother, sister: 'It changed our lives forever'

The Unsinkable Molly Shannon

How 'SNL' alum Molly Shannon found profound healing after childhood tragedy

Molly Shannon

Cover of the New York Times bestselling memoir "Hello, Molly!" by Molly Shannon

Hello Molly! Cover

Hello, Molly!

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Comedic genius Molly Shannon spent six seasons as a member of the repertory company on Saturday Night Live, where she starred alongside Will Ferrell, Adam Sandler, Cheri Oteri, Tracy Morgan, and Jimmy Fallon, among many others. Shannon is primarily known for the eclectic characters she created, such as Mary Katherine Gallagher and Sally O’Malley. In 2000, she received an Emmy nomination for “Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program.” In 2017, she was awarded the Independent Spirit Award for “Best Supporting Actress” for her performance in the highly acclaimed drama Other People, written and directed by SNL writer, Chris Kelly. Shannon recently inked a first look development deal with HBO Max.

Just released, her New York Times best-selling memoir Hello Molly is a candid, compulsively readable, hilarious, and heartbreaking memoir of resilience and redemption. At age four, Shannon’s world was shattered when she lost her mother, baby sister, and cousin in a car accident with her father at the wheel. Held together by her tender and complicated relationship with her grieving father, she was raised in a permissive household where her gift for improvising and role-playing blossomed alongside the fearlessness that would lead her to become a celebrated comedic actress. From there, Molly ventured into the wider world of New York and Los Angeles show business, where she created her own opportunities and developed her daring and empathetic comedy.

Shannon can be seen in the Netflix drama Horse Girl, alongside Alison Brie and directed by Jeff Baena; as well as recently making a hilarious cameo role in the film, Jay and Silent Bob Reboot. She was also seen in the crime drama Promising Young Woman, with Carey Mulligan and Bo Burnham.

Born in Shaker Heights, Ohio, Molly earned a BFA in drama from New York University’s prestigious Tisch School of the Arts. She currently lives in California with her husband and two children.