Whatever Happened To Shannon Elizabeth?

The late '90s and '00s movie scene was dominated by risqué teen comedies that were provocative in a way audiences had never seen before. While there are many out there that we could name, such as "Scary Movie" and "Road Trip," one franchise stood head and shoulders above the rest: "American Pie." The lead roles may have gone to names like Jason Biggs and Alyson Hannigan, but there's one star who made a huge splash, even in a minor role: Shannon Elizabeth. The brown-eyed brunette beauty played Biggs' initial love interest, exchange student Nadia. With her Eastern European accent and endless legs, it's hardly surprising that viewers fell in love with her and were keen to see her in more projects. 

However, Elizabeth's career never reached the stratospheric heights some of her castmates' did. Though she has continued to work over the years, she never landed a hit sitcom like Hannigan or appeared in a Netflix hit like Biggs. Instead, she chose to focus on other things aside from acting. In fact, the Houston native has had quite an eventful life since she first appeared on the scene. 

Over the years, Elizabeth has made a name for herself as a force to be reckoned with when it comes to helping animals, dedicating so much time to the cause that she said goodbye to the United States for good in 2016 to heed the call of the wild! Let's see what she's been up to since the height of her fame. 

There are many celebrities out there who use their platform for the greater good. Kate Middleton's inspiring charity work is just one example, while Elton John's dedication to his AIDS Foundation is another. Shannon Elizabeth may not have the same level of star power, but she hasn't let that stop her. The Shannon Elizabeth Foundation dates back to 2001, not long after Elizabeth became a household name. Though it started out as a cat and dog rescue charity in Los Angeles, it wasn't long before Elizabeth recognized there was more work to be done to help animals of all kinds, both at home and abroad. It took some time, but by the late 2010s, Shannon's charity was focusing on helping animals in Africa.

It's a long way from Los Angeles, but Shannon's efforts are incredibly worthwhile, proving that celebrities can make a huge impact away from the glittering lights of Hollywood. According to the foundation's website, Shannon was spurred on by the developing poaching crisis in Africa, leading her to expand the foundation. 

Not only did this interest help her shape her charity work, but it also had a massive impact on her personal life — but we'll get to that! 

When someone's pet dies, it's absolutely devastating. These creatures are part of our families, often seeing us through the tumultuous ups and downs of life. For actors, who often face with lots of variables and inconsistencies, their pets can be the one thing that keeps them grounded. For Shannon Elizabeth, this couldn't have been more accurate. She had 14 years with her beloved dog, Peanut, who even moved to Cape Town alongside her. Sadly, all good things must come to an end, and Elizabeth shared the news with her followers that Peanut died in September 2023. 

The heartfelt Instagram post showed multiple photos of Peanut in cute bow ties and other accessories over the years, but it's the caption that really tugged at our heartstrings. "Peanut, you were so much more than our doggie; you were an inseparable part of our lives," wrote the actress. "From the moment you bounded into my life, those tiny paws and wagging tail instantly stole my heart ... I love you my baby, Peanut ... always & forever. Thank you for choosing me."

This touching tribute is further testament to just how highly Elizabeth values animals.

There are plenty of simple hobbies you can start right away, but poker isn't exactly something you can dive straight into. Poker players often spend their careers perfecting their game, which takes a lot of skill. Shannon Elizabeth has been playing for years, even heading out to tournaments and other events to showcase her talents. PokerNews states that Elizabeth has over $247,000 in total live earnings and has been sponsored by CarbonPoker and MANSION Poker. In 2007, she came in third in the NBC National Heads-Up Championship, which made her a cool $125,000. 

When talking to PokerListings in 2006, the actress explained that she first learned how to play poker when Bravo did a celebrity poker showdown. "I went to the producer's office and he taught me the basics ... and [I] just made the minimum for my charity because I didn't know what I was doing." From there, Elizabeth found herself attracted to the game purely because she could keep earning money for her animal activism — though she soon found herself hooked. 

Elizabeth still posts photos to her Instagram profile of herself at different poker events, so she's still a very active player, all these years later. 

Acting can be a fickle profession. The more you play the game, the more roles come your way. Though Shannon Elizabeth acted steadily throughout the aughts, by the 2010s, she was seen on-screen less often as she focused more on her animal charity. In 2013, she starred in just three projects, including an episode of Melissa Joan Hart's "Melissa & Joey." In recent years, Elizabeth has seemed to take on just the occasional role, appearing in just four projects so far in the 2020s.

While she hasn't announced a retirement from the screen, Elizabeth still seems busy enjoying her other pursuits. Living and working on her charity in South Africa could make traveling back to the United States for work a little tiresome, and then she has her poker hobby to keep up. 

Whatever she has planned for the future, something tells us that Elizabeth will always keep herself busy.