Shannon Elizabeth Fadal (born September 7, 1973) is an American actress, activist, and poker player. Her roles in the Scary Movie (2000) and the American Pie film series (1999–2001; 2012) solidified her status as a sex symbol of the 1990s and 2000s.
Elizabeth's film credits include 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), Jay and Silent Bob Reboot (2019), and Plan B (2024). In television, she had a recurring role in the Fox sitcom That '70s Show (2003–2005) and a main role in the UPN sitcom Cuts (2005–2006).
Elizabeth is a professional poker player, and in 2006 was named "one of the leading celebrity poker players." She is also noted for her activism.
Early life Elizabeth was born Shannon Elizabeth Fadal in Houston, Texas, to a father of Syrian-Lebanese ancestry,Thir13en Ghosts (Collector's Edition): Haunted In Canada – An Interview With Actress Shannon Elizabeth Partial transcript of interview found at "Marvelous Mrs. Maisel' Star Tony Shalhoub Helped His Costar Rewrite This Movie" and to a mother of German, English and Irish ancestry. She was raised in Waco, Texas, from 3rd grade through high school; Elizabeth graduated from Waco High School in 1991. 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 and Elite models before she began a career in film.
Career Elizabeth appeared in several films and television shows before being cast in 1999's American Pie in the role of Nadia.Variety Staff, ‘American Pie,’ Variety, July 7, 1999 (review and cast listing). It was a major box office success,Box Office Mojo, ‘American Pie (1999) — Domestic and Worldwide Gross.’ and she reprised her role in American Pie 2 (2001) and American Reunion (2012).The Hollywood Reporter, film reviews and cast credits for American Pie 2 (Aug. 9, 2001) and American Reunion (Apr. 5, 2012). Elizabeth subsequently appeared in several Hollywood films, including Scary Movie (2000), Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001), and Tomcats (2001).AFI Catalog entries for Scary Movie (2000), Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001), and Tomcats (2001) listing Shannon Elizabeth in cast. Elizabeth starred in the UPN series Cuts until the show was canceled in May 2006.Los Angeles Times, ‘UPN cancels Cuts,’ May 2006 industry report; CBS/UPN press listings for Cuts (2005–2006) cast and episode guide. Elizabeth also recurred in That '70s Show for a number of episodes.TV Guide, ‘Shannon Elizabeth Credits,’ recurring role as Brooke Rockwell on That ’70s Show (seasons 6–7); Fox press materials episode listings.
In 2000 and 2003, she was featured in Maxim. 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. 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.
In 2006, Elizabeth described poker as her second career and was called "one of the leading celebrity poker players." 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.
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. 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.
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 the Jay and Silent Bob Reboot. In 2022, it was announced that Elizabeth would star in the comedy film Plan B'' alongside Jon Heder, Jamie Lee and Tom Berenger.
Philanthropy
Animal Avengers, a non-profit animal rescue organization founded by Elizabeth and her then-husband Joseph D. Reitman, 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. The organization, based in Brazil, lead 3D printing of prosthetic body parts for animals, including a beak for goose Victoria.
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. She uses social media, particularly Instagram posts, to raise awareness about rhino poaching at the Poached Rhino fundraiser.
Personal life Elizabeth is an environmentalist and a vegan. She is a cousin of New York-based television host and relationship coach Tamsen Fadal.
She was married to actor Joseph D. Reitman from 2002 to 2005. She later married Simon Borchert in 2021. In 2026, she announced that she separated from Borchert in 2025, and filed for divorce, which was finalized in May 2026.
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes 1997 Blast Hostage Jack Frost Jill Metzner Video 1998 Blade Squad Nurse TV movie 1999 Seamless: Kidz Rule Nicole Dying to Live Vanessa Canningham TV movie American Pie Nadia Evicted Princess 2000 Scary Movie Buffy Gilmore Dish Dogs Anne Video 2001 Tomcats Natalie Parker American Pie 2 Nadia Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back Justice Faulken Thirteen Ghosts Kathy Kriticos 2002 Survivin' the Island Office Worker Short 2003 The Crooked E: The Unshredded Truth About Enron Courtney TV movie Love Actually Harriet 2004 Johnson Family Vacation Chrishelle Rene Boudreau 2005 Cursed Becky Morton Confessions of an American Bride Sam TV movie The Kid & I Shelby Roman 2007 The Grand Toni 2008 Deal Michelle You Belong to Me Alex Wilson TV movie 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 TV movie Catch a Christmas Star Nikki Crandon TV movie 2014 The Outsider Margo 2015 Marshall's Miracle Cynthia Lawson 2016 Swing Away Zoe Papadopoulos Gibby Ms. Martin The Opera Singer Young Opera Singer Short 2019 Jay and Silent Bob Reboot Justice Faulken 2020 Playing With Beethoven Bryn 2023 Death on the Border Maddy A Home for the Holidays Ella 2024 Plan B Anne McNally First Witch Mari
Television Year Title Role Notes 1996 Arliss Anya Slovachek Episode: "Crossing the Line" Hang Time Nicole Barrett Episode: "Green-Eyed Julie" 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" 2000 TFI Friday Herself Episode: "Episode #5.25" MTV Rock 'N' Jock Bowling Bash Herself/Co-Host Main Co-Host 2001 Celebrity Adventures Herself Episode: "Ruins of Greece" Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Herself/Contestant Episode: "Celebrity Edition 4, Show 1 & 2" Comedy Central Canned Ham Herself Episode: "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back" 2002 The Hollywood Machine Herself Episode: "The Battle of the Blockbusters" VH-1 Behind the Movie Herself Episode: "American Pie" Just Shoot Me! Karen Episode: "About a Boy" Off Centre Dawn Episode: "Addicted to Love" The Twilight Zone Sondra Lomax Episode: "Dream Lover" 2003 The Greatest Herself/Host Episode: "50 Sexiest Video Moments" MTV Icon Herself Episode: "Metallica" MTV Cribs Herself Episode: "Rachel Hunter, Shannon Elizabeth, Sam Madison" The Bronx Bunny Show Herself Episode: "Episode #1.10" 2003–04 Celebrity Poker Showdown Herself Recurring Guest 2003–05 That '70s Show Brooke Rockwell Recurring Cast: Season 6, Guest: Season 7 2004 Beat Seekers Herself Episode: "Episode #2.18" Punk'd Herself Episode: "Carmelo Anthony, Shannon Elizabeth, Jena Malone" Celebrity Blackjack Herself Recurring Guest One on One Tiffany Sherwood Episode: "Splitting Hairs" 2005 E! Hollywood Hold'em Herself Episode: "Shannon Elizabeth" Mad TV Herself Episode: "OK Go" Living with Fran Heather Episode: "Riley's Ex" King of the Hill Candee (voice) Episode: "Harlottown" 2005–06 Cuts Tiffany Sherwood Main Cast 2007 Thank God You're Here Herself Episode: "Episode #1.4" Dancing with the Stars Herself/Contestant Contestant: Season 6 2009 Live Nude Comedy Herself/Host Main Host 2012 Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives Herself Episode: "A Place Called Home" TMI Hollywood Herself/Host Episode: "American Sketches" 2013 Melissa & Joey Anita Episode: "The Unfriending" 2014 Shark Cage Herself Episode: "Heat 4" 2018 Celebrity Big Brother Herself/Contestant Contestant: Season 1 2026 Fox News Saturday Night with Jimmy Failla Herself/Panelist Episode: "Episode #4.25"
Music Videos Year Artist Song Role 2000 Enrique Iglesias "Be with You" Love Interest 2011 Chris Brown featuring Justin Bieber "Next to You" Herself
Video games Year Title Role Notes 2004 James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing Serena St. Germaine Voice 2009 Leisure Suit Larry: Box Office Bust Amy Loveheart
Dancing with the Stars Week #Dance / SongJudge's scoresResultRefInabaGoodmanTonioli1Cha-Cha-Cha / "Shut Up and Drive"777No Elimination2Quickstep / "Swing With Me"888Safe3Jive / "Goody Two Shoes"888Safe4Viennese Waltz / "Keep Holding On"9109Safe5Samba / "Pon de Replay"887Safe6Rumba / "True Colors"Group Country Western / "Cotton Eyed Joe"8No8Scores8GivenSafe7Tango / "Tanguedia II"Mambo / "Ain't Nothing Wrong with That"989898Eliminated
Awards and nominations
Year Award Category Nominated work Result2000MTV Movie & TV AwardsBest Breakthrough PerformanceAmerican PieYoung Hollywood AwardsBest Ensemble CastStinkers Bad Movie AwardsWorst Supporting ActressScary Movie 2001Hollywood Film AwardsBreakthrough Female PerformanceAmerican Pie 2Stinkers Bad Movie AwardsWorst Supporting ActressMost Annoying Fake Accent – Female2004Phoenix Film Critics Society AwardsBest EnsembleLove Actually2011New York International Independent Film & Video FestivalBest ActressA Novel Romance
References
External links