Saturday Night Live has spawned many stars over the decades, from Eddie Murphy to Will Ferrell and Gilda Radner to Kate McKinnon. Another SNL great is Molly Shannon, who rose to fame on the show in the ’90s. Shannon’s most vital contribution was arguably her character Mary Katherine Gallagher, the awkward Catholic schoolgirl with numerous nervous tics. Since leaving SNL in 2001, the actor/comedian has opened up about her time on the show, often discussing what inspired Mary Katherine Gallagher and the demands of playing the character.
What inspired ‘SNL’ star Molly Shannon to create Mary Katherine Gallagher?
Shannon joined SNL in 1995, launching the character of Mary Katherine Gallagher not long after. Mary Katherine, nervous and eager to please, was unique in the series. And as it turns out, some of her mannerisms came directly from Shannon’s history.
