After years of being in the limelight, Pamela Anderson feels like she has finally found her place as an actress. The 57-year-old, who became a household name for her role as C.J. Parker in Baywatch, is earning critical acclaim for her performance in The Last Showgirl, a film directed by Gia Coppola. This role marks a new chapter for Anderson, who is now turning her focus to the stage.
Once an icon of Playboy and a pop culture phenomenon, Anderson admitted that she was taken aback by the recognition. “I thought my acting career was done,” she confessed during a recent trip to Paris. “Now, I finally feel like an actress, but before, I wasn’t sure—I was just trying my best.”
A Career-Defining Moment
Anderson’s portrayal of a fading Las Vegas showgirl has been widely praised by critics. The New York Times called her “dazzling,” while The Guardian lauded her for “single-handedly redefining how she is viewed as an actor.” Coppola, who cast Anderson after watching her Netflix documentary Pamela: A Love Story, has played a key role in this new chapter of her career.
This resurgence mirrors the journey of fellow ’90s star Demi Moore, whose powerful role in The Substance last year challenged the way Hollywood treats older actresses. With a Golden Globe nomination to her name, Anderson now feels inspired to pursue even more ambitious goals.
“Being part of pop culture can feel like a curse because you become known for just one thing,” she reflected. “But I’ve always loved cinema, and I’ve always been drawn to theatre. Why not do a Tennessee Williams play one day? I want to keep surprising people.”
A Life of Reinvention
Anderson’s personal life has been as eventful as her professional one. She has been married at least six times, including twice to the same person, and one of her marriages lasted a mere 12 days. Despite the whirlwind nature of her relationships, she holds no regrets. “I appreciate my wild and messy life because it gives me so much to draw from. It hasn’t been boring—hard at times, silly at times, ridiculous at times—but that’s how life is meant to be lived.”
Now living a more peaceful life on Vancouver Island, the place where she grew up, Anderson has embraced a quieter lifestyle. She has taken up plant-based cooking, enjoys making pickles, and even launched her own TV series, Pamela’s Cooking with Love. In addition, she released a cookbook last year.
In addition to acting and cooking, Anderson is still a passionate advocate for animal rights and has found success as an author. Her 2023 memoir delved into her tumultuous childhood and personal trauma, a project she insisted on writing herself, despite initial doubts from the industry. “I can write, you stupid shit, give me some credit,” she humorously remarked in an interview with The Times.
Even with all her current success, Anderson is not overly focused on what lies ahead. “I don’t know what’s next,” she admitted. “But I’m okay with living in the mystery.”