Molly Shannon To Leave `SNL'

NEW YORK (AP) â€” ``Saturday Night Live's'' favorite Catholic schoolgirl is graduating. <br><br>Molly Shannon, the actress best known for playing the hyperactive Mary Katherine Gallagher on

Monday, January 22nd 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

NEW YORK (AP) â€” ``Saturday Night Live's'' favorite Catholic schoolgirl is graduating.

Molly Shannon, the actress best known for playing the hyperactive Mary Katherine Gallagher on a recurring basis on NBC's comedy, said Monday she's leaving the show.

Shannon, 36, has been a regular on ``SNL'' since 1995. Her last show will be on Feb. 17.

She leaves the show in the midst of a renaissance: Saturday's episode with Mena Suvari as host drew the highest ratings since a May 1999 show with Monica Lewinsky and Ricky Martin.

The busy Shannon, who most recently portrayed Betty Lou Who in the movie ``Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas,'' has completed roles in three upcoming feature films. In 1999, she played Mary Katherine Gallagher in ``Superstar,'' a film version of the ``SNL'' sketch.