Pamela Anderson Biography: Pamela Denise Anderson, born on July 1, 1967, is a Canadian-American actress, model, and media personality. She gained widespread fame after being named Playboy’s Playmate of the Month in February 1990, and went on to appear on numerous Playboy covers, holding the record for the most covers by any individual. Anderson’s acting career began with a role on the ABC sitcom Home Improvement (1991–1997), before she became internationally known for portraying “C.J.” Parker on the action-drama series Baywatch (1992–1997), which solidified her status as a sex symbol.
Pamela Anderson Biography
Pamela Anderson has firmly established herself as a cultural icon, captivating audiences with a dynamic and ever-evolving career. She received critical acclaim for her performance as the star and title character in The Last Showgirl, directed by Gia Coppola. The film, which premiered at the 2024 Toronto Film Festival, quickly became one of the most talked-about titles at the event. It will also be showcased at the prestigious San Sebastian and Zurich Film Festivals, where Anderson will be honored with the Golden Eye Award. In July 2025, she will appear alongside Liam Neeson in the highly anticipated Naked Gun film, set to be released by Paramount Pictures. Among her other recent endeavors, Anderson made her Broadway debut in 2022, playing Roxy Hart in Chicago. Her performance garnered widespread critical praise and earned her a Playbill Award.
Pamela Denise Anderson is a Canadian-American actress, model and media personality. She rose to prominence after being selected as the February 1990 Playboy Playmate of the Month. She went on to make regular appearances on the magazine’s cover and held the record for the most Playboy covers by any individual.
Born: 1 July 1967 (age 57 years), Ladysmith, Canada
Spouse: Dan Hayhurst (m. 2020–2022) ·
Children: Brandon Thomas Lee, Dylan Jagger Lee
Height: 7 m
Parents: Carol Anderson, Barry Anderson
Siblings: Gerry Anderson
Net Worth: $20 million
Early life
Pamela Anderson was born in Ladysmith, British Columbia, Canada, to Barry Anderson, a furnace repairman, and Carol, a waitress. Her great-grandfather, Juho Hyytiäinen, was originally from Saarijärvi, Finland, and emigrated to Canada in 1908, changing his name to Anderson upon arrival. On her mother’s side, Anderson has Volga German ancestry; her grandmother, who was ethnically German, was born in Russia in a Mennonite village and moved to Canada in 1901. Anderson garnered media attention right after her birth as a “Centennial Baby,” having been born on July 1, 1967, the 100th anniversary of Canada’s founding under the Constitution Act of 1867. She also has a younger brother, Gerry (born 1971), an actor and producer who has appeared in some of her films and TV shows.
Pamela Anderson’s rise to fame began in an unexpected way. In 1989, she attended a BC Lions football game in Vancouver, Canada, wearing a tight Labatt’s beer T-shirt. She appeared on the jumbotron, sparking a huge reaction from the crowd. This moment led to her being hired as a spokesmodel for the beer company. The attention she garnered from this appearance helped her land a spot on the cover of Playboy in October 1989, and she was later named Playboy’s Playmate of the Month in February 1990, which launched her career.
In 1991, Anderson joined the cast of Home Improvement as Lisa, the Tool Girl, which helped her gain further recognition. But it was her iconic role as C.J. Parker on Baywatch in 1992 that truly made her a household name. Anderson’s portrayal of the lifeguard helped elevate Baywatch’s popularity, and she remained on the show for five seasons until 1997.
Anderson’s ex-husband, Tommy Lee, the drummer of Mötley Crüe, has a higher net worth, estimated at $70 million in 2025, largely due to his success in the music industry and touring revenues. The two were married from 1995 to 1998, and their turbulent relationship, including the infamous stolen sex tape, remains a major part of their public history.
Earnings from the Pam and Tommy Tape
The infamous stolen sex tape, Pamela’s Hardcore Sex Video, earned an estimated $77 million in under a year. However, neither Anderson nor Tommy Lee saw any of the profits, as the tape was released without their permission. Anderson has since spoken about how the release affected her career and personal life, with her son Brandon Thomas Lee noting that his mother could have earned millions if she had agreed to make money from the tape, but chose to focus on her family’s well-being instead.
The exact amount Anderson earned for her role in the 1996 film Barb Wire is unknown, but it’s assumed she was paid a significant amount, likely in the high hundreds of thousands, considering her status at the time. The film, however, was a box office disappointment, grossing under $4 million worldwide.
Earnings from Baywatch
At the start of her time on Baywatch, Anderson was reportedly paid $1,500 per episode, which amounted to $33,000 in her first year. As her fame grew, her salary increased to $60,000 per episode, or $1.32 million per season. By the end of her run, she was making $300,000 per episode, or $6.6 million per season. Overall, she likely earned over $10 million from the show, excluding syndication royalties.
Pamela Anderson did not profit from the Hulu series Pam and Tommy, which depicted her relationship with Tommy Lee. She has openly criticized the project for reopening past trauma, stating that she did not receive compensation for the series and that the creators owe her an apology.
Earnings from The Last Showgirl
The salary Anderson earned for her role in The Last Showgirl is not publicly known. Given the indie nature of the film and its brief shooting schedule, it’s likely Anderson was more focused on making a quality movie than securing a large paycheck.
Pamela Anderson’s Current Work
Today, Anderson remains busy with a variety of projects. She recently starred in The Last Showgirl and has gained attention for her memoir Love, Pamela and Netflix documentary Pamela, a Love Story, both released in 2023. In addition to her acting work, she continues to run her nonprofit, the Pamela Anderson Foundation, which focuses on human, animal, and environmental rights. After several marriages and divorces, Anderson now resides in Vancouver Island, Canada, between projects.
Pamela Anderson has an estimated net worth of $20 million in 2025, according to Celebrity Net Worth. Over the years, she has earned money from acting, modeling, television production, directing, writing, and her advocacy work.
