Pamela Anderson, long typecast as a “sex symbol” in Hollywood, is experiencing a career resurgence with the premiere of her new film, The Last Showgirl, at the Toronto Film Festival. Best known for her iconic roles in Baywatch and her numerous Playboy covers, Anderson, 57, says being “underestimated” throughout her career has come with its advantages.
In an interview with Variety at the festival, Anderson reflected on how she was often confined to a certain image in the industry but acknowledged her own role in it. “I underestimated myself, too,” she admitted. “You’ve got to believe in yourself for others to believe in you.”
The Last Showgirl marks a significant moment in Anderson’s career, as the film parallels her real-life experiences. In the movie, she plays a Las Vegas dancer grappling with ageism in the industry, a theme Anderson connects with. “Everything just came at the right time,” she said. “This feels like such a dream experience.”
Anderson’s role in The Last Showgirl follows her 2022 Netflix documentary Pamela, A Love Story, which offered a more personal look at her life behind the camera. The film allowed audiences to see a different side of the actress, breaking away from her “bombshell” image and highlighting the challenges she faced in her career.
Reflecting on the timing of this major role, Anderson joked, “Having nothing to live up to is kind of a good position to be in. You can surprise everybody. Even with a full sentence, you’re a genius!”
Director Gia Coppola, who helmed The Last Showgirl, revealed how she cast Anderson in the lead role. Coppola explained that after watching Anderson’s documentary, she knew Anderson was perfect for the part. “There was this gut feeling of, ‘Well, what about her?’… No one else can be her. I have to go find her.”
Coppola’s instinct paid off, but it wasn’t without hurdles. Anderson’s former agent initially turned down the script within an hour, but Coppola found another way to get the script to Anderson through her son, Brandon Thomas Lee. The rest is history, as Anderson has since signed with a new agency and embraced this opportunity to showcase a different side of her talent.
As Anderson continues to break free from the limitations of her past roles, she’s proving that her story—and career—are far from over.
