First published 2022
Molly Shannon opens her story at age four, when a devastating car accident claimed her mother, baby sister, and cousin while her father drove. This tragedy shaped everything that followed. Raised by her grieving father in a household with few rules, Shannon discovered her talent for improvisation and character creation. Her fearless approach to performance eventually carried her to New York and Los Angeles, where she carved out opportunities in show business. The memoir traces her rise to Saturday Night Live, where she worked alongside Will Ferrell, Adam Sandler, and Jimmy Fallon. Shannon shares previously untold stories about encounters with figures like Whitney Houston and Monica Lewinsky. Throughout, she grapples with her complex relationship with her father, a man who nurtured her creative gifts while struggling to raise his children alone. Written with Sean Wilsey, the book reveals how Shannon transformed personal pain into comedic brilliance, offering an honest portrait of resilience and artistic drive.
Genres: biography, drama, autobiography, biography-memoir, comedy
Vibes: emotional-atmospheric, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: personal-growth, resilience
291 pages · Hardcover · Ecco
Content warnings: mental-illness