Pamela Anderson was a Canadian-American model, actress, and passionate animal rights advocate who gained widespread recognition for her appearances on popular television series such as Home Improvement (ABC, 1991–99), Baywatch (NBC/Syndication, 1989–2001), and V.I.P. (Syndication, 1998–2002). Hailing from British Columbia, she first captured public attention in her early twenties when she was spotted wearing a Labatt’s Beer t-shirt on the jumbotron at a Canadian sporting event. Her striking presence caught the eye of Labatt’s executives, who quickly signed her as a spokesmodel.
Not long after that, Pamela Anderson’s rising visibility caught the attention of Hugh Hefner, who invited her to pose for Playboy magazine. She made her debut on the cover of the 1989 issue, which marked the beginning of a long and iconic association with the brand—eventually setting the record for the most Playboy cover appearances ever.
In 1990, Anderson relocated to Los Angeles to pursue acting. Her big break came in 1991 when she was cast as Lisa “The Tool Time Girl” on the hit sitcom Home Improvement, starring Tim Allen. That role opened more doors, and soon she landed what would become one of her most iconic roles: C.J. Parker, the glamorous lifeguard in Baywatch. Pamela Anderson portrayed C.J. for five seasons, from 1992 to 1997, becoming one of the longest-tenured cast members on the globally popular show.
As the mid-90s rolled in and into the early 2000s, Anderson began expanding her career into film. Some of her most memorable performances during that time include Barb Wire (1996), Scooby-Doo (2002), and Scary Movie 3 (2003). Throughout the 2000s and 2010s, she remained active in entertainment, consistently taking on new projects. In 2017, she returned to her roots by reprising her role as C.J. Parker in the big-screen adaptation of Baywatch.
Beyond her career in entertainment, Pamela Anderson was also deeply committed to animal rights. She was a longtime supporter of PETA and famously posed nude for their 2003 campaign, “I’d Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur.” In 2019, she also made headlines around the world when she voiced her support for Julian Assange on social media. Anderson had visited Assange multiple times while he was residing in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London and often referred to him as a “hero” in interviews and public statements.
Pamela Anderson’s most acclaimed work in terms of ratings would have to be Pamela, a Love Story (2023), which really resonated with audiences. On the flip side, one of her less favorably reviewed projects is The Institute (2017), which didn’t quite hit the same mark. Pamela has had a diverse career, but these two titles definitely stand out when looking at the highs and lows of her filmography.