Last Updated on September 13, 2024
Pamela Denise Anderson is a Canadian-American actress, model, author, and activist.
As an actress, Anderson is best known for her portrayal of “C.J.” Parker on the television series Baywatch (1992 – 1997). Her other notable television appearances include as Lisa in Home Improvement (1991 – 1993, 1997) and as Vallery Irons in V.I.P. (1998 – 2002).
Still in the television industry, Pamela Anderson has featured in several reality shows. They include ‘Dancing with the Stars’ in 2010 and 2012, ‘VIP Brother’ in 2012, ‘Dancing on Ice’ in 2013, and ‘Danse avec les stars’ in 2018.
Anderson’s acting career also includes numerous film appearances. She starred in 1993’s ‘Snapdragon,’ 1994’s ‘Raw Justice,’ and 1996’s ‘Barb Wire, Naked Souls.’ Her most recent noteworthy film credits include in ‘The People Garden’ (2016), ‘The Institute’ (2017), ‘Baywatch’ (2017), and ‘City Hunter’ (2018).
Quick Facts
| Full Name: | Pamela Denise Anderson |
| Popular Name: | Pamela Anderson |
| Gender: | Female |
| Birth Date: | July 1, 1967 |
| Age: | 55 years |
| Parents: | Barry Anderson and Carol Anderson |
| Siblings: | Gerry Anderson |
| Birth Place: | Ladysmith, British Columbia, Canada |
| Nationality: | Canadian-American |
| Ethnicity: | Mixed (Finnish, English, Irish, Russian, and Volga German) |
| Education: | Highland Secondary School |
| Marital Status: | Divorced; previously married to Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee (from February 19, 1995 to 1998), Kid Rock (from 2006 to 2007), film producer Rick Salomon (from October 6, 2007 to 2008 and again from 2014 to 2015), Hollywood producer Jon Peters (for 12 days in 2020), and Dan Hayhurst (from 2020 to 2022) |
| Sexual Orientation: | Straight |
| Wife/Spouse: | N/A |
| Children: | Brandon Thomas and Dylan Jagger (born from her marriage to Tommy Lee) |
| Dating: | N/A |
| Net Worth: | USD 20 million |
| Source of Wealth: | Acting, Modeling, Writing, Television Directing & Producing, and Other Ventures |
| Height: | 5′ 7″ (1.7 m) |
| Weight: | 47 kg; In pounds: 104 lbs |
Early Life and Career Information
Early Life
Pamela Denise Anderson was born on July 1, 1967, in Ladysmith, British Columbia, Canada, to Barry Anderson and Carol Anderson. Her father was a furnace repairman whereas her mother was a waitress.
Anderson Attended Highland Secondary School located in Comox, British Columbia. She graduated from high school in 1985.
Modeling Career
Pamela Anderson rose to the limelight following her selection as Playboy’s Playmate of the Month in February 1990. She went on to appear on the magazine’s cover on numerous occasions.
As at the time of writing, Pamela holds the record for the most Playboy cover appearances by an individual person.
Acting Career
Anderson made her television debut in 1990. She appeared in a number of television sitcoms, including ‘Married… with Children’ and ‘Charles in Charge.’
The following year, Pam made her debut film appearance as a cheerleader in ‘The Taking of Beverly Hills.’ She accepted several other acting roles in the early 90s, including in the films ‘Snapdragon’ and ‘Raw Justice’, as well as in the television series ‘Married People’ and ‘Top of the Heap.’
Which Shows Made Her Famous?
Pamela Anderson’s breakout television role came in 1991 when she began portraying Lisa in ‘Home Improvement.’ She remained in the series until 1993 and then took a break before making a comeback in 1997.
Anderson became a household name on television when she began portraying Casey Jean “C.J.” Parker on ‘Baywatch.’ She appeared in a total of 76 episodes, eventually leaving the show in 1997.
The following are Anderson’s other major film and television credits:
Films
• Baywatch the Movie: Forbidden Paradise (1995)
• Naked Souls (1996)
• Barb Wire (1996)
• Baywatch: White Thunder at Glacier Bay (1998)
• Scooby-Doo (2002)
• Scary Movie 3 (2003)
• No Rules (2005)
• Borat (2006)
• Hollywood & Wine (2010)
• The People Garden (2016)
• Baywatch (2016)
• The Institute (2017)
• City Hunter (2018)
Television Shows
• Days of Our Lives (1992)
• Come Die with Me: A Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer Mystery (1994)
• Royal Rumble 1995 (1995)
• WrestleMania XI (1995)
• Ruby Wax Meets… (1996 – 1997)
• The Nanny (1997)
• V.I.P. (1998 – 2002)
• King of the Hill (2002)
• Less than Perfect (2003)
• Stripperella (2003 – 2004)
• Stacked (2005 – 2006)
• Dancing with the Stars (2010 – 2012)
• VIP Brother (2012)
• Dancing on Ice (2013)
• Danse avec les stars (2018)
• Loose Women (2021)
Writing Career
Pamela Anderson authored her first autobiography in 1997, titled ‘Pandemonium.’ In 2015, she followed up with another autobiography, ‘Raw.’
Anderson also authored three novels before teaming up with Shmuley Boteach to write one nonfiction. The novels include My New School series (2003–2004), Star: A Novel (2004), and Star Struck (2005), while the nonfiction is titled ‘Lust for Love: Rekindling Intimacy and Passion in Your Relationship.’
Pamela Anderson’s Net Worth
Pamela Anderson has been a notable figure in the entertainment industry for close to three decades. Not only has she made a name for herself in the industry. She has also earned millions from her various exploits. As of 2023, Anderson had a net worth of $20 million.
‘Baywatch’ remains one of Pamela Anderson’s highest income earner. At some point, Anderson made as much as $300,000 per episode of the show, translating to around $6.6 million per season or $12 million after adjusting for inflation.
But for someone who has been acting and modeling for around thirty years, it’s evident that Pamela Anderson’s $20 million net worth isn’t commensurate with her long experience. Well, that’s because the actress has faced numerous financial problems over the years.
Shortly after breaking up with Jon Peters, Peters hinted in an interview that financial woes were part of the reason their relationship didn’t work. He claimed to have settled at least $200,000 worth of debt for Anderson.
Anderson’s financial problems also came to the fore in 2009 after the model appeared on California’s list of Top 500 Delinquent Tax Payers. At the time, she had a $1.7 million lien filed for outstanding taxes.
In 2012, Anderson received two tax liens for outstanding taxes for the previous year. According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Pam’s debt was in the region of $260,000 while the state of California claimed that the actress cum model owed $112,000.
Lessons from Pamela Anderson
1. Your past doesn’t define you
Pamela Anderson suffered sexual abuse in her childhood. She was sexually molested by a female babysitter from the ages of 6 to 10 years, defiled by a 25-year-old man when she was 12, and gang-raped when she was 14. Despite her troubled past, Anderson went on to achieve immeasurable success.
2. Give back
Anderson has financially supported numerous charitable causes. Her primary interests are animal rights.
3. Keep going
Pamela Anderson has been around since 1989. Her journey to stardom wasn’t without its setbacks and disappointments. But the Hollywood A-lister has kept pressing on in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.
Quotes by Pamela Anderson
• Eventually you just have to realize that you’re living for an audience of one. I’m not here for anyone else’s approval.
• I’m a good example of someone who can come to Hollywood and keep their feet on the ground with all the rock stars, all the drama that goes with being here. It’s still important to pump your own gas and to be able to vacuum.
• I’ve had lots of things that didn’t work out, like TV shows. You learn a lot through mistakes – I learned that you have to be the captain of your ship. Actually, I own my ship.
• Natural beauty takes at least two hours in front of a mirror.
• People who wear fur smell like a wet dog if they’re in the rain. And they look fat and gross.
The Bottom Line
Pamela Anderson is a household name in the entertainment industry. The actress cum model has dominated the big screen from the early 90s. And although her $20 million net worth doesn’t correspond with her long experience, it’s still enough to sustain her through another lifetime.
