8 More Actors Who Got Famous Off Just One Scene

2. Shannon Elizabeth - American Pie

The Mask
Universal

American Pie made the careers of numerous actors who appeared in it - Jason Biggs, Seann William Scott, Alyson Hannigan, Natasha Lyonne, and Tara Reid, to name just a few.

That's not to forget Shannon Elizabeth, who made waves in the supporting role of Nadia, an exchange student from Czechoslovakia who quickly becomes the object of Jim's (Biggs) lust.

Her most memorable scene is also the center-piece of the entire movie, where Nadia comes over to Jim's house to "study," and upon the urging of his pals (namely Stifler), he sets up a webcam to broadcast the shenanigans.

Though Nadia does ultimately invite Jim to join her in stripping off, he strikes out in two separate bouts of premature climax, a feat witnessed by everyone in school when the video goes viral.

While Elizabeth herself admitted the scene likely couldn't be made today, it did nevertheless instantly establish her as a sex symbol of early 2000s Hollywood, after which she appeared in numerous high-profile comedies including Scary Movie, the second and fourth American Pie movies, and both Jay and Silent Bob films.

Today Elizabeth is more-or-less retired, instead devoted to animal rescue and conservation efforts around the globe, but to many, she'll always be Nadia first.

Contributor
Contributor

Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.