Eliza Dushku, 45, was everywhere in the early 2000s. From Bring It On to Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back, the actress helped define the term Y2K it-girl.
But, 26 years after her iconic portrayal of Missy Pantone in the hit gymnastics film, Eliza decided to leave Hollywood behind. Keep reading to see photos of the former actress now.
© Getty ImagesKirsten Dunst, Nathan West, Eliza Dushku and Huntley Ritter star in Bring It On, released in 2000.
Eliza Dushku after Bring It On
While she was a child actor for years, Bring It On launched Eliza into stardom. After the 2000 film, she appeared in the horror film Wrong Turn and as the lead in the supernatural drama Tru Calling, which ran for two seasons.
The actress, who was often cast as the bad girl, opened up about the typecasting to Maxim in 2001, saying: "It's easy to play a bad girl: You just do everything you've been told not to do, and you don't have to deal with the consequences, because it's only acting."
© Getty ImagesEliza Dushku attends the premiere of "Ghost World" in Hollywood, California.
Eliza and Dollhouse
In 2009, Eliza starred in the sci-fi show, Dollhouse, alongside Harry Lennix and Fran Kranz. But, it was cancelled after just 27 episodes less than a year after it premiered. She went on to voice the character of She-Hulk in the Disney XD animated series Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H.
© Getty ImagesEliza Dushku attends the Dollhouse Fox panel at the 2009 Winter TCA Tour
The actress accused a stunt coordinator of abuse
In 2018, Eliza made a public statement to her Facebook accusing stunt coordinator Joel Kramer of molesting her when she was 12 years old on the set of the Arnold Schwarzenegger action film True Lies.
"Hollywood has been very good to me in many ways. Nevertheless, Hollywood also failed to protect me, a child actress. I like to think of myself as a tough Boston chick, in many ways I suppose not unlike Faith, Missy, or Echo," she wrote in a lengthy post. "Through the years, brave fans have regularly shared with me how some of my characters have given them the conviction to stand up to their abusers. Now it is you who give me strength and conviction. I hope that speaking out will help other victims and protect against future abuse."
© Getty ImagesEliza Dushku as J.P. Nunnelly and Michael Weatherly as Dr. Jason Bull in the Bull season one finale, 'Benevolent Deception'
Eliza Dushku's multi-million settlement
A year after her heartbreaking revelation, Eliza won $9.5 million in a settlement with CBS. The actress was fired from her recurring role on the drama Bull after confronting her cast mate, Michael Weatherly, after he made inappropriate comments that made Eliza uncomfortable.
The settlement amount was calculated to compensate Eliza for her loss of earnings from her planned promotion to a series regular. Her role in Bull was her last on screen appearance.
© InstagramEliza Dushku poses in a floral gown, arm in arm with her husband, Peter Palandjian, ahead of an evening out.
What is Eliza Dushku doing now?
In 2023, Eliza shifted careers and began studying for her master's degree from Lesley University in counseling and clinical mental health, with a focus on psychedelic-assisted therapies and treatment for addiction and mental health.
The actress has officially left Hollywood behind. "I will not be in front of a camera again unless it's in some capacity that is in service of my new work and passion," Eliza told The Hollywood Reporter in December 2025.
