“American Pie” star Shannon Elizabeth decided to leave Hollywood and make a move to South Africa to show her support for a cause that is very important to her.
Elizabeth shared her decision at the Steel City Con in Pittsburgh last Saturday, where she explained that she relocated to the country eight years ago to dedicate her time to her conservation charity, The Shannon Elizabeth Foundation.
“We’re currently working on establishing a sanctuary,” she informed the audience. “We have already been caring for a blind black rhino, and we plan to bring in more rhinos once we expand.”
THEN/NOW: THE CAST OF ‘AMERICAN PIE’
Shannon Elizabeth decided to move from Hollywood to South Africa nearly a decade ago to focus on her conservation charity. (Jim Smeal/Christopher Polk/Variety via Getty Images)
The 51-year-old actress revealed that following her success in “American Pie,” she embarked on her charity journey, previously known as Animal Avengers. She explained, “I started with dog and cat rescues in LA, which was my comfort zone. However, I soon realized I wanted to establish my own organization to assist a broader range of animals on a larger scale.”
“I delved into exploring the poaching crisis in other regions of the world,” she shared during an interview on the “Life Outside Poker” podcast in July 2024, according to E! News.
Elizabeth established her organization, initially as Animal Avengers, in 2001, transitioning its focus from domestic animals to wildlife preservation in Africa, as detailed on the foundation’s website.
Shannon Elizabeth, alongside Jason Biggs, achieved fame through her role in the 1999 film, “American Pie.” (Getty Images)
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According to the website, “Shannon relocated to Africa in 2016 in order to be more hands-on with her projects and broaden their impact.”
This Texas-born star has not only dedicated herself to her charity work but has also continued her acting career, featuring in movies like “Scary Movie,” “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back,” as well as the recent comedies “Plan B” and “A Home for the Holidays.”
The 51-year-old has juggled her acting career with her philanthropic efforts. (Paul Archuleta/FilmMagic)
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She is also currently in the pre-production phase of a documentary titled “Munu-A Rhino Love Story,” centered around Munu, a male black rhino who requires special care due to being critically endangered and blind, thus unable to forage on his own.
Shannon Elizabeth has been an advocate for animals for a long time, expanding her charity’s focus to include larger wildlife worldwide. (Tiffany Rose/Getty Images for GBK Brand Bar)
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“I thoroughly enjoyed my acting career. Crafting and creating are my passions, and it has been a delightful journey. I am grateful for the opportunities to create works that resonate with people,” Elizabeth expressed.
