Shannon Elizabeth Fadal[1] (born September 7, 1973)[2] is an American actress and poker player. Her film roles solidified her status as a sex symbol of the 1990s and 2000s.[3][4]

Shannon Elizabeth
Elizabeth at the 2021 GalaxyCon
Born
Shannon Elizabeth Fadal

(1973-09-07) September 7, 1973 (age 51)
Houston, Texas, U.S.
Occupations
  • Actress
  • poker player
  • animal activist
  • model
Years active1991–present
Notable workAmerican Pie
Scary Movie
Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back
Love Actually
Spouses
(m. 2002; div. 2005)
  • Simon Borchert
RelativesTamsen Fadal (cousin)

In film, Elizabeth is best known for her role as Nadia in the American Pie film series (1999–2001; 2012), which saw her have a supporting role in the first film, a lead ensemble role in the second film, and a cameo role in the fourth film. Her other notable credits include lead roles in Scary Movie (2000), Tomcats (2001), Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001), Thirteen Ghosts (2001), Cursed (2005), and Night of the Demons (2009), and supporting roles in Love Actually (2003), The Grand (2007), and Jay and Silent Bob Reboot (2019).

In television, Elizabeth had a recurring role as Brooke Rockwell on the Fox sitcom That '70s Show (2003–2005) and a main role as Tiffany Sherwood on the UPN sitcom Cuts (2005–2006).

Elizabeth splits her time between Cape Town, South Africa, and the USA,[citation needed] and runs her non-profit organization, an animal rescue turned conservation organization she co-created in 2001—previously Animal Avengers. The Foundation has also launched One Woman's Legacy, a scholarship program that helps African women break through the glass ceiling in conservation studies.[5] She is a professional poker player, and in 2006 was named "one of the leading celebrity poker players."[6]

Early life

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Elizabeth was born Shannon Elizabeth Fadal in Houston, Texas, to a father of Syrian/Lebanese ancestry,[7][8][9] and to a mother of German, English and Irish ancestry.[10] She was raised in Waco, Texas, from 3rd grade through high school; Elizabeth graduated from Waco High School in 1991.[11] In high school, she was a member of the tennis team and at one point considered a professional tennis career. Elizabeth worked as a model for Ford & Elite models before she began a career in film.[12]

Career

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Elizabeth along with two United States Marine Corps participants of the poker tournament, prior to 2006 tribute troops of the U.S. Military

Elizabeth appeared in several films and television shows before being cast in 1999's American Pie in the role of Nadia. It was a major box office success. Elizabeth subsequently appeared in several Hollywood films, including Scary Movie, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, and Tomcats. Elizabeth starred in the UPN series Cuts until the show was canceled in May 2006. Elizabeth recurred in That '70s Show for a number of episodes.[citation needed]

In 2000 and 2003, she was featured in Maxim.[13] In June 2008 she was Maxim's cover girl. She provided the likeness and voice for Serena St. Germaine in the 2004 video game James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing.[14] Elizabeth was one of the celebrities on an episode of NBC's Thank God You're Here along with Tom Green, Chelsea Handler, and George Takei. Elizabeth was among the cast of the sixth season of Dancing with the Stars, partnered with Derek Hough. Elizabeth was the seventh star eliminated from the competition.

 
Elizabeth at the 2007 NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship

In 2006, Elizabeth described poker as her second career and was called "one of the leading celebrity poker players."[6] At that time, she visited the Las Vegas Valley up to three times each month to participate in poker games with top players. Elizabeth does not appear to have been as active a poker player since scoring 12 tournament cashes from 2006 through 2010 – she has only one tournament cash (in 2013) thereafter.[15]

Elizabeth played in the Main Event of the 2005 World Series of Poker under the guidance of Daniel Negreanu, and won a special tournament celebrating the opening of a new poker room at Caesars Palace hotel in January 2006, beating out 83 celebrities and poker professionals to win $55,000.[16] She also cashed four times in the World Series of Poker in 2006 and 2007, but again busted out of the Main Event early. In 2007, she advanced to the semi-finals of the NBC National Heads-Up Poker Championship in a field consisting of the top poker professionals before losing to eventual champion Paul Wasicka.[15]

Elizabeth was the host of the comedy/burlesque series "Live Nude Comedy" in 2009. Elizabeth also featured in Chris Brown's "Next to You" music video as Brown's girlfriend in 2011. In 2019 she reprised her role as Justice in Jay and Silent Bob Reboot. [17]

In 2022, it was announced that Shannon Elizabeth would star in the comedy film Plan B, alongside Jon Heder, Jamie Lee and Tom Berenger.[18]

Personal life

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Elizabeth was married to actor Joseph D. Reitman from 2002 to 2005.[19] She is now married to Simon Borchert.[20] She is an environmentalist and vegan. She is a cousin of New York-based television host and relationship coach Tamsen Fadal.[21][22] Animal Avengers, a non-profit animal rescue organization founded by Elizabeth and her then-husband Reitman,[12] is dedicated to rescuing and finding a home for homeless pets, reducing pet overpopulation, promoting responsible pet guardianship and preventing animal cruelty.

Among many fundraising events, Team Bodog raised over $50,000 for Animal Avengers in a celebrity poker night on October 8, 2005. The event was hosted by tournament director Matt Savage. In 2016, she began participating in numerous other Bodog-sponsored charity events as well.[23] The organization, based in Brazil, lead 3D printing of prosthetic body parts for animals, including a beak for goose Victoria.[24]

Elizabeth has served as the spokesperson for Farm Sanctuary's Adopt a Turkey program, urging people to adopt a turkey instead of eating one for Thanksgiving.[25] She uses social media, particularly Instagram posts, to raise awareness about rhino poaching at the Poached Rhino fundraiser.[26]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1997 Blast Hostage
Jack Frost Jill Metzner Credited as Shannon Elizabeth Fadal
1998 Blade Squad Nurse Television film
1999 Seamless Nicole
Dying to Live Vanessa Canningham Television film
American Pie Nadia
Evicted Princess
2000 Scary Movie Buffy Gilmore
Dish Dogs Anne
2001 Tomcats Natalie Parker
American Pie 2 Nadia
Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back Justice
Thirteen Ghosts Kathy Kriticos
2002 Survivin' the Island Office Worker Short film; uncredited
Also executive producer
2003 The Crooked E: The Unshredded Truth About Enron Courtney Television film
Love Actually Harriet
2004 Johnson Family Vacation Chrishelle Rene Boudreau
2005 Cursed Becky Morton
Confessions of an American Bride Sam Television film
The Kid & I Shelby Roman
2007 The Grand Toni
2008 Deal Michelle
You Belong to Me Alex Wilson Television film
2009 Night of the Demons Angela Feld
2011 A Novel Romance Adi Schwartz
2012 American Reunion Nadia
A Green Story Kelly
Golden Winter Jessica Richmond
2013 In the Dark Linda Television film
Catch a Christmas Star Nikki Crandon Television film
2014 The Outsider Margo
2015 Marshall's Miracle Cynthia Lawson
2016 Swing Away Zoe Papadopoulos Also executive producer
Gibby Ms. Martin
The Opera Singer Young Opera Singer Short film
2019 Jay and Silent Bob Reboot Justice Faulken
2020 Playing With Beethoven Bryn
2021 Woodstock 99: Peace, Love, and Rage Herself Documentary
Archive footage; uncredited
2023 Death on the Border Maddy
A Home for the Holidays Ella
2024 Plan B Anne McNally

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1996 Arliss Anya Slovachek Episode: "Crossing the Line"
Hang Time Nicole Barrett Episode: "Green-Eyed Julie"
Baywatch Girl at Pier Party Episode: "Baywatch Angels"
1997 USA High Melanie Episode: "Internet Love Story"
Step by Step Cindi Episode: "Can't Buy Me Love"
1998 Pacific Blue Jo Episode: "Damaged Goods"
1999 G vs E Cherry Valence Episode: "Men Are from Mars, Women Are Evil"
2002 Just Shoot Me! Karen Episode: "About a Boy"
Off Centre Dawn Episode: "Addicted to Love"
The Twilight Zone Sondra Lomax Episode: "Dream Lover"
2003–2005 That '70s Show Brooke Rockwell Recurring role (season 67)
2004 One on One Tiffany Sherwood Episode: "Splitting Hairs"
Punk'd Herself Episode: "Carmelo Anthony, Shannon Elizabeth and Jena Malone"
2005–2006 Cuts Tiffany Sherwood Main role
2005 MADtv Herself Episode: "OK Go"
King of the Hill Candee (Voice) Episode: "Harlottown"
2008 Dancing with the Stars Herself Contestant (season 6)
2009 Live Nude Comedy Herself 6 episodes
2013 What Not to Wear Episode: "Shannon Elizabeth"
Melissa & Joey Anita Episode: "The Unfriending"
2018 Celebrity Big Brother Herself Contestant (season 1)

Video games

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Year Title Role Notes
2003 James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing Serena St. Germaine (voice)
2009 Leisure Suit Larry: Box Office Bust Amy Loveheart (voice)

Dancing with the Stars

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Week # Dance / Song Judge's scores Result Ref
Inaba Goodman Tonioli
1 Cha-Cha-Cha / "Shut Up and Drive" 7 7 7 No Elimination
2 Quickstep / "Swing With Me" 8 8 8 Safe
3 Jive / "Goody Two Shoes" 8 8 8 Safe
4 Viennese Waltz / "Keep Holding On" 9 10 9 Safe
5 Samba / "Pon de Replay" 8 8 7 Safe
6 Rumba / "True Colors"
Group Country Western / "Cotton Eyed Joe"
8
No
8
Scores
8
Given
Safe
7 Tango / "Tanguedia II"

Mambo / "Ain't Nothing Wrong with That"

9
8
9
8
9
8
Eliminated

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Nominated work Result
2000 MTV Movie & TV Awards Best Breakthrough Performance American Pie Nominated
Young Hollywood Awards Best Ensemble Cast Won
2001 Hollywood Film Awards Breakthrough Female Performance American Pie 2 Won
Stinkers Bad Movie Awards Worst Supporting Actress Nominated
Most Annoying Fake Accent – Female Nominated
2004 Phoenix Film Critics Society Awards Best Ensemble Love Actually Nominated
2011 New York International Independent Film & Video Festival Best Actress A Novel Romance Won

References

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  1. ^ Hamersly, Michael (March 17, 2006). "He Wants a Piece of the 'Pie'". The Miami Herald. p. 4A. Retrieved May 17, 2024. American Pie actress Shannon Elizabeth...who was born Shannon Elizabeth Fadal...according to papers filed Wednesday in Superior Court.
  2. ^ "Shannon Elizabeth - Movie and Film Biography and Filmography - AllRovi.com". Archived from the original on May 18, 2012. Retrieved January 16, 2012.
  3. ^ Erbland, Kate (July 10, 2019). "'American Pie' Star Shannon Elizabeth Talks Iconic Scene That Never Would Have Happened Post-#MeToo". IndieWire. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
  4. ^ Galindo, Brian (August 20, 2021). "You'll Only Recognize 12/12 Celebs If You're Over 27 Or Just Really Love '90s Movies". BuzzFeed. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
  5. ^ "Actress, animal activist and conservationist Shannon Elizabeth supports Animal Avengers animal activist and conservationist Shannon Elizabeth supports Animal Avengers". April 22, 2016. Retrieved February 15, 2018.
  6. ^ a b "ContactMusic". POKER QUEEN SHANNON ADDICTED TO CARDS. Retrieved July 18, 2006.
  7. ^ "Actress Shannon Elizabeth: I'm proud of the Lebanese side of my life". Lebanese Examiner. July 25, 2018.
  8. ^ Thir13en Ghosts (Collector's Edition): Haunted In CanadaAn Interview With Actress Shannon Elizabeth Partial transcript of interview found at "Marvelous Mrs. Maisel' Star Tony Shalhoub Helped His Costar Rewrite This Movie"
  9. ^ "Glamorous Pro Shannon Elizabeth To Join World Team Poker's Team Lebanon".
  10. ^ NAME DROPPING - Lange Wanted A Challenge, English, John Parkyn, Orlando Sentinel, March 12, 2000
  11. ^ Steven Russell (February 2000). "Shannon Elizabeth: First she heated up American Pie. Now the nubile newcomer is ready for the Hollywood main course". Interviews. Maxim Online. Archived from the original on April 21, 2006. Retrieved September 30, 2006.
  12. ^ a b John Crook (February 13, 2005). "Shannon Elizabeth Curls up with 'Cuts'". TV News. Zap2it. Archived from the original on July 25, 2006. Retrieved September 30, 2006.
  13. ^ "Shannon Elizabeth." Archived October 1, 2008, at the Wayback Machine Maxim.
  14. ^ Steve Groll (June 19, 2003). "007 Insider Update #2: Shannon Elizabeth Voice Over Session - Interview with Senior Publicist Steve Groll". Allmovie. Electronic Arts. Retrieved September 30, 2006.
  15. ^ a b "Shannon Elizabeth". The Hendon Mob. Retrieved December 15, 2016.
  16. ^ "Shannon Elizabeth is better at Poker than you". The Shooting Range. April 14, 2010. Archived from the original on May 13, 2010. Retrieved July 21, 2010.
  17. ^ "Kevin Smith on Instagram: "And Justice for all! It didn't feel like a true sequel until @shannonelizabeth stepped on the set of @jayandsilentbob Reboot. But it's..."". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 26, 2021. Retrieved March 13, 2019.
  18. ^ Complex, Valerie (July 16, 2022). "Jamie Lee & Jon Heder Topline Comedy 'Plan B' For Joke Zero And Future Proof Films". Deadline. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  19. ^ Gardner, Chris (March 7, 2005). "Shannon Elizabeth Splits from Husband". People. New York City: Meredith Corporation. Archived from the original on March 20, 2008. Retrieved February 15, 2018.
  20. ^ "Shannon Elizabeth and Simon Borchert on protecting rhinos and the importance of animal conservation". The Do One Better! Podcast. July 24, 2022. Retrieved June 19, 2023. Together, this dynamic husband and wife duo are protecting rhinos and strengthening the field of conservation through the work of the Shannon Elizabeth Foundation.
  21. ^ "Shansenjew". Archived from the original on March 4, 2016.
  22. ^ Coppola, Mike (April 4, 2012). "Television personality Tamsen Fadal (L) and actress Shannon Elizabeth attends Michael Jackson THE IMMORTAL World Tour show by Cirque du Soleil at Madison Square Garden on April 3, 2012 in New York City". Ottawa Citizen. Ottawa, Ontario, Canada: Postmedia Network. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
  23. ^ "Bodog Charity Event Supports US Soldiers". Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  24. ^ Tappin Coelho, Janet (May 20, 2016). "The Animal Avengers saving injured creatures with futuristic technology". Daily Mirror. London: Trinity Mirror. Retrieved September 15, 2016.
  25. ^ D'estries, Michael (October 19, 2012). "Shannon Elizabeth urges turkey adoption | Mother Nature Network". Retrieved November 12, 2012.
  26. ^ Miller, Hunter (March 6, 2017). "American Pie's Shannon Elizabeth Knows How To Use Her Instagram". comicbook.com. Retrieved May 11, 2017.
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