Shannon Elizabeth

Shannon Elizabeth

Elizabeth in 2012
Born Shannon Elizabeth Fadal
(1973-09-07) September 7, 1973
Houston, Texas, United States
Occupation Actress, model
Years active 1996–present
Spouse(s) Joseph Reitman (2002–2005)
Relatives Tamsen Fadal (cousin)

Shannon Elizabeth Fadal (born September 7, 1973),[1] known professionally as Shannon Elizabeth, is an American actress and former fashion model. Elizabeth is well known for her roles in comedy films such as American Pie, Scary Movie and Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back. She is also known for her work in horror films such as Thirteen Ghosts, Cursed, and Night of the Demons. She became widely known as a sex symbol for her role in the 1999 comedy film American Pie. She also had a cameo in the film Love Actually and in Catch a Christmas Star in which she sings for the first time on camera.

Early life

Born Shannon Elizabeth Fadal, Elizabeth's father is an Arab Christian[2] of Syrian [3] and Lebanese[4] origin and her mother is of German, English and Irish ancestry.[5] She was born in Houston, Texas, and raised in Bellmead, Texas.[6] In high school, she was very much interested in tennis and at one point even considered a professional tennis career. She worked as a model for Ford & Elite models before she began a career in film.[7]

Career

Acting and modeling

Elizabeth in July 2005.

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. Cuts and its parent show, One on One, were two of the many shows not to be picked up by The CW. Elizabeth recurred in That '70s Show for a number of episodes.

In 2000 and 2003, she was featured in Maxim.[8] 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.[9] 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 was the host of the comedy/burlesque series "Live Nude Comedy" in 2009. Shannon also featured in Chris Brown's "Next to You" music video as Brown's girlfriend in 2011.

Poker

Elizabeth describes poker as her "second career" and has been called "one of the leading celebrity poker players."[10] She visits the Las Vegas Valley up to three times each month to participate in poker games with the top players of the United States. 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.[11]

She has also cashed four times in the World Series of Poker in 2006 and 2007,[12] 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. Among the four opponents she defeated were three World Series of Poker multiple bracelet winners: Jeff Madsen, Barry Greenstein, and Humberto Brenes.

Personal life

Elizabeth in March 2009

After the September 11 attacks, Elizabeth recorded a public service announcement in which she said, "I'm half Arabic [sic], but I am 100 percent American. What is going on affects me the same as everyone else."[13]

Elizabeth was married to actor Joseph D. Reitman from 2002–2005.[14] After being eliminated from Dancing with the Stars in April 2008, Elizabeth began dating Derek Hough, her dancing partner on the show. Their relationship reportedly lasted until August 2009.[15] She is an environmentalist and vegan. Elizabeth has been dating fellow vegan and environmentalist Russell Simmons since early 2014.[16] Elizabeth is the cousin of the TV host and relationship coach Tamsen Fadal.[17]

Charity work

Animal Avengers, a non-profit animal rescue organization founded by Elizabeth and her then-husband Reitman,[7] is dedicated to rescuing and finding a home for homeless pets, reducing pet overpopulation, promoting responsible pet guardianship and preventing animal cruelty. Among the 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 noted tournament director Matt Savage. In 2016, she began participating in numerous other Bodog-sponsored charity events as well.[18] The organization, based in Brazil, lead 3D printing of prosthetic body parts for animals, including a beak for goose Victoria.[19]

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.[20]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1997 Jack Frost Jill Metzner Credited as Shannon Elizabeth Fadal
1997 Blast Hostage
1998 Blade Squad Nurse TV film
1999 Seamless: Kidz Rule Nicole
1999 Dying to Live Vanessa Canningham TV film
1999 American Pie Nadia
2000 Scary Movie Buffy Gilmore
2000 Evicted Princess
2000 Dish Dogs Anne Shot and completed in 1998, Direct-to-DVD release
2001 Tomcats Natalie Parker
2001 American Pie 2 Nadia
2001 Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back Justice
2001 Thir13en Ghosts Kathy Kriticos
2002 Survivin' the Island Office worker Uncredited
2003 The Crooked E: The Unshredded Truth About Enron Courtney TV film
2003 Love Actually Harriet, the sexy one
2004 Johnson Family Vacation Chrishelle Rene Boudreau
2005 Cursed Becky Morton Cameo
2005 Confessions of an American Bride Sam TV film
2005 The Kid & I Shelby Roman
2007 The Grand Toni
2008 Deal Michelle
2008 You Belong to Me Alex Wilson TV film
2009 Night of the Demons Angela Feld
2011 A Novel Romance Adi Schwartz
2012 American Reunion Nadia Cameo
2012 A Green Story Kelly
2012 Golden Winter Jessica Richmond
2013 In the Dark Linda TV film
2013 Catch a Christmas Star Nikki Crandon TV film
2014 The Outsider Margo
2015 Marshall the Miracle Dog Cynthia Willenbrock Post-production
2016 Swing Away Zoe Papadopoulos Executive Producer

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1996 Arliss Anya Slovachek Episode: "Crossing the Line"
1996 Hang Time Nicole Barrett Episode: "Green-Eyed Julie"
1997 USA High Melanie Episode: "Internet Love Story"
1997 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"
2002 Off Centre Dawn Episode: "Addicted to Love"
2002 The Twilight Zone Sondra Lomax Episode: "Dream Lover"
2003–2005 That '70s Show Brooke 9 episodes
2004 One on One Tiffany Sherwood Episode: "Splitting Hairs"
2004 Punk'd Herself Episode: "Carmelo Anthony, Shannon Elizabeth and Jena Malone"
2005–2006 Cuts Tiffany Sherwood 31 episodes
2005 MADtv Herself Episode: "OK Go"
2005 King of the Hill Candee (Voice) Episode: "Harlottown"
2008 Dancing with the Stars Herself Season 6 contestant; finished 6th
2009 Live Nude Comedy Host 6 episodes
2013 What Not to Wear Herself Episode: "Shannon Elizabeth"
2013 Melissa & Joey Anita Episode: "The Unfriending"

Video Games

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)

References

  1. http://www.allrovi.com/name/shannon-elizabeth-p240643
  2. "Glamorous Pro Shannon Elizabeth To Join World Team Poker's Team Lebanon".
  3. http://english.alarabiya.net/en/life-style/art-and-culture/2016/01/18/10-world-famous-celebs-you-didn-t-know-were-of-Arab-origin-.html
  4. NAME DROPPING - Lange Wanted A Challenge , English , John Parkyn, Orlando Sentinel, March 12, 2000
  5. 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 2006-04-21. Retrieved 2006-09-30.
  6. 1 2 John Crook (2005-02-13). "Shannon Elizabeth Curls up with 'Cuts'". TV News. Zap2it. Retrieved 2006-09-30.
  7. "Shannon Elizabeth." Maxim.
  8. Steve Groll (2003-06-19). "007 Insider Update #2: Shannon Elizabeth Voice Over Session - Interview with Senior Publicist Steve Groll". Allmovie. Electronic Arts. Retrieved 2006-09-30.
  9. "ContactMusic". POKER QUEEN SHANNON ADDICTED TO CARDS. Retrieved July 18, 2006.
  10. The, Marksman (2010-04-14). "Shannon Elizabeth is better at Poker than you". The Shooting Range. Retrieved 2010-07-21.
  11. "Shannon Elizabeth". The Hendon Mob. Retrieved March 9, 2007.
  12. Movie & TV News. IMDB.com News. Retrieved October 7, 2007.
  13. http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,1035301,00.html
  14. "Shannon Elizabeth, Derek Hough Split" "Us Magazine"/ August 9, 2009/
  15. "Vegan love! New couple Shannon Elizabeth and Russell Simmons tuck into an animal friendly meal in West Hollywood" "Daily Mail Online"/ February 17, 2014/
  16. NY PIX Morning News Blog: PIX Family Feast: Tamsen Fadal & Her Cousin.
  17. "Bodog Charity Event Supports US Soldiers". Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  18. Janet Tappin Coelho (20 May 2016). "The Animal Avengers saving injured creatures with futuristic technology". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 15 Sep 2016.
  19. Mother Nature Network: Shannon Elizabeth urges turkey adoption. Retrieved November 12, 2012
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