She's one of the most famous names in Hollywood history,
best known for Playboy and Baywatch, and a career that began in 1989.
But this actor-turned-activist is more than the brand she created with her bombshell looks. From
relationship drama to her unstoppable career, this is Pamela Anderson's incredible transformation.
Anderson was born in 1967,
in British Columbia, and was raised by her mom Carol and her dad Barry. But despite her loving
family, Anderson experienced a difficult childhood. She told the L.A. Times in 2014,
"I was [assaulted] from age 6 to 10 by my female babysitter. I went to a friend's
boyfriend's house [and] the boyfriend's older brother decided he would teach me backgammon,
which led to a back massage, which led to [assault]."
"We naturally blame ourselves. I didn't tell my mother for a long time. And even when I told her,
she went, 'Oh well that's in the past. Don't even think about it anymore.'"
It took years for her to overcome the trauma, but Anderson came out stronger than ever.
Anderson turned heads during her iconic role on Baywatch,
but years earlier, she actually began making waves with her talents as a model — for Playboy.
"I like to walk in the rain. I mean,
I love walking in the rain. I think it's so romantic but it never rains here."
Anderson's career kicked off when she appeared on the cover in October 1989. Less than two
years later, the model posed for her second cover in February 1991. During her chat with
the outlet at the time, Anderson opened up about pursuing her goals of becoming a star, sharing,
"Hollywood people are dreamers, always grabbing for something big.
I'm a dreamer too, so I guess I belong here."
After finding fast success as a model,
Anderson tried her hand at acting. She made her TV debut in an episode of Charles in Charge in 1990,
and went on to star alongside Tim Allen in Home Improvement, in 1991.
She appeared on the show for two seasons until she landed Baywatch in 1992.
While the series is still considered to be one of the most iconic action dramas in TV history,
landing the gig of C.J. Parker was a piece of cake for Anderson. She told Elle in 2014,
"They were just like, 'Are you Pamela Anderson? You have the job.'"
The model-turned-actress appeared on the award-winning series for five seasons. But
while Baywatch may have led to one of Anderson's most iconic roles ever, it wouldn't be her last.
While Anderson was rising
through the Hollywood ranks, her career talents weren't the only things thrust into the spotlight.
Fans were very much interested in her personal life, and the buzz hit
a fever pitch when she married her first husband, Mötley Crüe rocker Tommy Lee.
The couple famously tied the knot in '95 after knowing each other for only four days.
Their rollercoaster relationship began with a bumpy start when an explicit
tape from their honeymoon was leaked online. But the former couple took the
case to court and ultimately reached a settlement, according to Us Weekly.
"It was stolen property. Neither of us ever made anything from it."
But despite the bad press, the duo experienced plenty of other struggles throughout their
marriage. According to the AP, Lee was arrested for felony spousal abuse and was sentenced to
six months in jail, which he began serving in 1998. The couple divorced that same year.
Still, during their tumultuous five-year relationship,
Anderson became the loving mom of their two kids, Brandon and Dylan.
After stepping back from
her career to raise her family, Anderson bounced back into the spotlight with V.I.P. in 1998. And
throughout the late '90s and into the 2000s, the actor appeared in countless TV shows and films.
"I've seen all of your movies. Really? Not all of them. Some of them."
While dominating the small screen, she also started writing. Anderson made her debut as
an author when she released 2004's Star. The following year, she published a second
book titled Star Struck. And since then, she has released Raw in 2015 and Lust for Love, in 2018.
Anderson's first marriage
ended in turmoil, but she wasn't afraid to give love a second shot with Kid Rock. The actress and
the musician dated on and off for several years, but their marriage lasted only from 2006 to 2007.
Just months after splitting with the crooner, she exchanged vows with Rick Salomon in Las
Vegas in October 2007. But their quickie marriage was annulled four months later.
By this point, things were so complicated that Tommy Lee had
even announced that he and Pam were working on their relationship again.
But Anderson shut down those claims on Ellen, revealing that she and Salomon were
still hooking up. They eventually remarried in 2014, but split for good a year later.
"I have short-term memory. I don't know what it is. I forget the bad times. We all do."
Anderson has crafted
an enviable career, but she also holds several causes close to her heart. Throughout the decades,
she's helped raise awareness for, quote, "human, animal and environmental rights" with the help
of her Pamela Anderson Foundation. And in 2017, she told W magazine she is on the PETA board,
as well as the council for the International Fund for Animal Welfare.
Along with maintaining a presence in the entertainment industry,
in 2020, she married her fourth husband, Jon Peters. Anderson and the film producer
quietly tied the knot on January 20th, but split just 12 days later, according
to The Hollywood Reporter. She then married her bodyguard, Dan Hayhurst, on Christmas Eve, 2020.
"I couldn't resist. She couldn't resist me."
Anderson is living her best life in her 50s, and thanks to her lifelong career hustle and
no-apologies attitude, she's certainly established herself as Hollywood royalty.
"I've made a lot of fun mistakes in my life. No regrets."
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