It’s hard not to think of Baywatch without thinking of Pamela Anderson, and because of her role as Casey Jean ‘CJ’ Parker, she became the unofficial face of the show.
The 57-year-old quickly became an international sex symbol during the 1990s for Baywatch and her stint on Playboy over the years.
However, it’s a persona that seemed to stick with the actor for a long while – and it’s something that she’s made a conscious effort to distance herself from following the show’s end in 2001.
Now in 2024, the red swimsuit and her iconic makeup look has long gone, with Anderson having recently ventured into the world of books by writing her first plant-based cookbook, I Love You: Recipes From The Heart, while also sending her acting career in a completely different direction.
Last year, the former model debuted her Netflix documentary, Pamela, A Love Story, and her latest project, The Last Showgirl, was shown at the San Sebastian Film Festival recently to rave reviews from those in attendance.
Releasing in February 2025, The Last Showgirl sees Anderson joined by Guardians of the Galaxy’s Dave Bautista, Kiernan Shipka, Brenda Song and Halloween’s Jamie Lee Curtis in the new drama.
Pamela Anderson is well-known for her role as CJ Parker in Baywatch (Kypros/Getty Images)
After seeing the incredible reaction to the film at the San Sebastian Film Festival, Anderson spoke to Hello! about how she has stepped back from the sex symbol persona created for her following the show’s success.
She told the outlet: “I think being a woman in your 50s is inspirational. I’ve got off the rollercoaster of emotions over the past few decades. I barely even remember them, but here I am, and with all this experience.”
She continued: “You know, I’m 57 years old. A lot of my career was about physicality, and it’s been a journey, but it’s also been part of the reason I’ve done this experiment with myself; to peel it all back, remember who I am and not be defined by what people do to me, but defined by what I do, and to have passion for the work and not become bitter or jaded — still finding joy in the process, in life and in this business.”
Pamela Anderson says she conducted an ‘experiment’ to ‘peel it all back’ and ‘remember who she is’ (Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Giorgio Armani)
Anderson called the experience of filming The Last Showgirl ‘wonderful’, adding that it was nice to be ‘surrounded by women who genuinely and authentically care about one another, like meeting with Jamie Lee Curtis and having these kind of relationships’.
“It’s so very welcome.” she said.
And after her long career in the spotlight, Anderson has a new outlook on life following all the hardships it has dealt her.
She continued: “Even if people don’t believe in you, you have to believe in you and push yourself because it’s very easy to pigeonhole somebody – so you have to find reasons to keep blowing people’s minds.”
As well as The Last Showgirl, she is also starring in the fifth instalment of the Naked Gun franchise alongside Liam Neeson, who recently admitted to being ‘madly in love’ with the actor – and Anderson was quick to respond.