28
Shed stopped auditioning and was considering real estate.
But then a call came that changed her life.
As the vice president began an earnest speech, someone scurried in and out of view behind her.
Their energy was frenetic, like an over-eager mouse that had spotted some cheese.
Was it Ella Emhoff?
Or campaign managerJulie Chavez Rodriguez?
Harris turned to the interloper:Mary Katherine Gallagher.
They instantly loved the armpit-sniffing, made-for-TV-movie monologue-spouting, romance-craving Catholic schoolgirl.
But as the character gained fans, Shannon was ready to quit showbiz.
I was like, Nothings happening.
I dont know if I have the heart to do this anymore.
Theres so much rejection in show business, and Ive been trying so hard.
I was getting really down, really unhappy.
So she spent that year working at a bakery and meeting up with friends for coffee.
She contemplated getting her real estate license or becoming a teacher.
I tried to lay low, chill out, and stop grasping so tightly.
I hadnt done my show for a year, so we set it up just for Marci.
Got the drinks, got the band, packed the house, and the show wentgreat.
She went on to create some ofSNLs most indelible characters.
But her fearless physicality masked a tender heart.
I couldnt believe how people connected with it so much, says Shannon.
If I just get through the darkness, I can get to the sun.
That lesson in perseverance is personal.
She and her older sister, Mary, then 6, survived.
I love that the new Samsung campaign spoofs early 90s sitcoms.
You were in your late 20s at that time.
What pop culture are you obsessed with from that era?
Well, I love watching classics from the 90s and sketches that I did.
At 28, you were living in L.A., right?
Right, I worked as a hostess at a restaurant called Cravings on Sunset Boulevard.
We were all really good friends.
We would eat together, have parties together, and it was the most fun.
If I had an audition, they could usually cover my shift.
Jennifer Aniston came in she was a customer!
and I studied her the way I would study any wonderfulsuperstar.
I was like, Thats Jennifer Aniston with all her agents!
I would kind of watch how she conducted her business and take notes.
Julia Roberts came in and ordered just sausage for breakfast, and I was like, Thats so interesting!
Im thinking, Maybe she already had another breakfast?
I was like, She looks fabulous.
Just sausage for breakfast, OK!
They didnt know me.
I was just a hostess.
Are you friends with either of them now?
Do they remember those moments?
I actually just saw Julia at a party, so I should have told her.
But I have not told either of them.
But I was a very happy waitress.
It made me very happy to serve food.
You like taking care of people.
Thats probably part of it.
And I would give customers samples.
If they couldnt decide, I was like, Do you want samples of the soup?
Even though we werent supposed to do that.
So everybody loved Johnny.
Hes so nice to everyone, so kind and thoughtful and really thinking about the waiters.
I worked at Melrose Baking Co., where I had tomakecappuccinos and froth the milk.
But then I couldorderthem.
Im still very grateful for that.
[But the pivotal moment] was when Marci Klein flew out to see my stage show.
Thats when my life changed.
It was 1994, I guess, because I started on SNL in 95.
It was in that period when I was letting go that it came to me.
They say the same thing about love.
Like when you stop looking for it, youll find it.
You cant be holding on too tightly.
And trust that everything was going to be OK.
I also want to tell you, knowing the tragedy youve overcome is incredibly inspiring.
That youve held on to your joy and your lightness and your sweetness is so admirable.
Thank you, Suzanne.
Is that something you have in common with Mary Katherine Gallagher, the sadness and vulnerability underneath the silly?
Fans of the character are like, I felt like that weird girl.
Going through that early loss was so hard.
That rug got pulled out from under me when I was 4.
I have a very positive attitude and appreciate time on Earth with people.
I dont take that for granted.
And the character, she has hard times but shes hopeful.
Thats really what its about.
Its like a dance of survival and overcoming trauma and letting yourself cry and get through it.
Its a very deep, emotional character for me, even though its comedy.
I did that character in my stage show for years when I was a waitress.
I developed it and developed it like, OK, that works.
That gets a laugh.
And then it was like, Boom!
It really took off.
It was a great lesson as a writer, to write from within.
That is so funny.
Its another example of taking something dark and twisting it into comedy.
When we first started, our group atSaturday Night Livedidnotget good reviews.
Terrible reviews, like He is the worst newcomer!
But it took the power out of it.
It taught me a lot.
There are always going to be people who dont like your style of performance or writing.
Thats OK, you know?
you might still go on.
You had a moment beforeSNLwhen your friend got cast onGrowing Painsand you were super jealous.
But then you had an epiphany.
I was living in a dumpy apartment in the San Fernando Valley.
I was like, How comehegets a part onGrowing Painsand I get nothing?!
I was like, This issohard.
Then I went on a walk and had an epiphany.
I thought, I was born and raised in Cleveland.
I am pursuing what I love.
A lot of people Id gone to college or high school with had given up and moved back home.
I was like, At least Im out here trying for my dreams.
I care about performing and acting.
Maybe Ill just keep trying, even till Im a grandmother!
I let myself have a good cry and felt better when I came back from the walk.
A lot of them are insecure.
They feel theyre only as good as their last movie.
I know people who were trying to like their parents and went into businesses theyre not happy with.
In their 60s, theyre like, Why am I trying to c’mon my father?
He will never approve of me.
So Im proud that I took a chance and am able to make money doing what I love.
Now, if I go on a book signing and 10 people show up, Im like, Yay!
I think, At least Im doing work that Im proud of.
Those are things that make for a happy, good life.
And here you are.TheWhite Lotus.Only Murders in the Building.
Whats the best part about being asupahstahat this point in your life?
Shes such a pro and a delight.
She just laughs and laughs.
And she lets me doanything.
Like in one scene, I surprised her and [Shannon makes a smooching sound] kissed her!
She just goes with it.
I love performing with her; shes just an absolute gem.
Werethose insultsfrom right now improvised, or scripted?
The specific [one], like, Do you wanna know what I think about youracting?
I did ask them if I could do that.
[I improvised] the parts about Your little slippers and your special actress food.
And its low calorie, low-salt, and prepared in special little containers, and its just for actresses.
And of course I got to meet and perform with Meryl Streep!
It was a bucket list [moment].
Its like they cast a superfan on a TV show.
I was so excited.
It was everything you’re free to imagine.
Shes everything you would ever want her to be and more.
It was just an absolute joy to be on that set.
It was an absolute ball.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
