One of the most present and recognizable celebrity poker players, Shannon Elizabeth was born on September 7, 1973 in Houston, Texas. She has an interesting heritage, as her father is Lebanese/Syrian and her mother is of Irish, English, German and Cherokee descent.
Shannon’s self proclaimed ‘second career’ takes her to Las Vegas a few times a month to participate in poker tournaments. She’s even had some success at the tables, cashing in four different events spread between the 2006 and 2007 World Series of Poker, and winning a special tournament celebrating the opening of the new Caesars Palace poker room. In 2007, she advanced all the way to the semi-finals of NBC’s National Heads-Up Poker Championship before losing to eventual winner Paul Wasicka. Along the way, however, she defeated some big names, including Barry Greenstein, Jeff Madsen, and Humberto Brenes.
On the silver screen, Elizabeth appeared in Jack Frost and Dish Dogs before being cast in American Pie. She gained popularity for her nude bedroom scene in Pie and went on to star in films like Scary Movie, Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, and Tomcats. She also starred in UPN’s Cuts, which ran for three seasons before being canceled, and guest starred on That 70’s Show for nine episodes.
In 1999, Shannon posed nude for Playboy, further perpetuating her sexy image. In 2000 and 2003, she was featured in Maxim, and in June of 2008 she became a Maxim cover girl.
More recently, Shannon Elizabeth announced that, due to her Lebanese background, she would be playing for Team Lebanon at the World Team Poker event in Las Vegas. Team Lebanon will also include Dany Georges, Freddy Deeb, Joe Awada, and Mark Betor.
