Molly Shannon Leaves 'SNL'

Jan. 23, 2001 -- Saturday Night Live will have some long knee socks to fill when cast member Molly Shannon departs next month.

The seven-year SNL vet, who portrayed characters from the armpit-sniffing Catholic schoolgirl Mary Katherine Gallagher to Monica Lewinsky, announced Monday that she is leaving the show for the feature-film world. Her last appearance will be on NBC Feb. 17, The Associated Press noted.

Shannon follows a long line of SNL alumni who've jumped ship for the big screen, including Mike Myers, Adam Sandler, and more recently, Tim Meadows and Cheri Oteri.

"I have had a wonderful time working on Saturday Night Live," Shannon told The Hollywood Reporter.

The outspoken, miniskirt-favoring actress has appeared in Analyze This, Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and Mary Katherine Gallagher's feature film debut, Superstar.