Pamela Anderson has shared that her upcoming role in the reboot and sequel to The Naked Gun will reveal an unexpected side of her acting abilities. Set to premiere on August 1, the film continues the beloved comedy franchise with a fresh storyline and cast, offering Anderson an opportunity to showcase a different facet of her talent.
The Naked Gun Reboot Stars Liam Neeson and Features a Murder Mystery
The film centers on Lt. Frank Drebin Jr., played by Liam Neeson, who is the son of the original character portrayed by Leslie Nielsen. Drebin Jr. carries on his father’s legacy by investigating a murder that threatens to shut down the police department. Directed by Akiva Schaffer, the movie also includes performances from Paul Walter Hauser, CCH Pounder, Kevin Durand, Cody Rhodes, Liza Koshy, Eddie Yu, and Danny Huston.
Anderson’s character, Beth, is a mysterious woman who enlists Drebin Jr.’s help in solving her brother’s murder, adding intrigue to the comedic narrative. Reflecting on her role, Anderson told Harper’s Bazaar,
“It’s going to show a different side of me.”
Pamela Anderson Reflects on Growth and Personal Healing Through Her Work
Anderson emphasized that her recent film projects have allowed her to explore and heal various aspects of her life, sharing,
“I feel every film I do lately is healing various parts of me. And you need a big, messy life to draw from if you want to make these kinds of things interesting.”
A Family Connection to The Naked Gun Legacy
The original Naked Gun franchise began decades ago, with The Naked Gun 33 1/3 released 31 years before this new installment. Anderson nearly appeared in that earlier film in a very different role. Regarding this, she told Empire magazine,
“The part that Anna Nicole [Smith] played, I almost played. It was just scheduling. I couldn’t do it. But it’s good: I’d rather play this role.”
This new part promises to be a better fit for Anderson’s current artistic direction.
A Renewed Career Momentum Following Recent Acclaim
The reboot arrives at an important moment in Anderson’s career, following her critically recognized performance in The Last Showgirl, which garnered her multiple nominations, including a Golden Globe nod for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama. Anderson’s continued work includes roles in Rosebush Pruning alongside Riley Keough, Callum Turner, and Elle Fanning, and Place to Be, featuring Ellen Bursyn, Taika Waititi, and Édgar Ramírez.
From Early Television Roles to Iconic Baywatch Fame
Anderson’s career began in the early 1990s with guest appearances on shows like Charles in Charge and Married… With Children. In 1991, she secured the role of Lisa in the first two seasons of Home Improvement. A year later, she gained widespread recognition as Casey Jean Parker, or CJ, on Baywatch, a series about lifeguards balancing rescue missions with personal drama.
This role became iconic, and Anderson reprised it for Baywatch the Movie: Forbidden Paradise in 1995 and the TV movie Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding in 2003. The show also featured stars like David Hasselhoff, Yasmine Bleeth, Jeremy Jackson, and Nicole Eggert.
Expanding Her Range Through Film and Television
In 1996, Anderson took on roles in two films, Naked Souls and Barb Wire. The latter cast her as a nightclub owner and bounty hunter navigating a dystopian United States during a second civil war, where she becomes embroiled in danger linked to a former lover.
She soon diversified further, appearing in season four of the sitcom The Nanny before leading the cast of VIP, where she portrayed Vallery Irons. The series, which aired from 1998 until 2002, focused on a young woman inadvertently mistaken for an elite bodyguard who ends up part of a real agency tasked with solving crimes.
A Shift to Reality TV and Guest Appearances
During the 2000s, Anderson expanded her presence to reality television, appearing on shows such as Big Brother Australia, Dancing on Ice, Bigg Boss, and VIP Brother. She also made cameo appearances as herself on various popular programs, including Futurama, Just Shoot Me!, the American version of Kath & Kim, Scooby-Doo, and Borat.
Recent Television and Film Work Reflecting Personal Challenges and Choices
In 2013, Anderson played Dr. Sydney Forbes on the Canadian sitcom Package Deal, which followed three brothers coping with romantic uncertainties. She also appeared in short films like Connected and Don’t Be a Derk, as well as the drama The People Garden.
Her return to television came in 2017 with the French-language miniseries Sur-Vie, portraying Raquel Rose, a Hollywood actress hosting a Quebec reality show. At that time, Anderson told The Montreal Gazette,
“I’ve been offered a lot of film and TV over the years, but I was raising two boys, so no one could ever really get my focus.”
“But they’re grown, and they’re actually in the industry and they want me to work. I’ve done a couple of short films in the last year, and this came up and I thought: ‘I should keep working and see if I still want to do this.’” — Pamela Anderson
She described the role as enjoyable and a departure from playing herself, adding,
“It was a little more of a dramatic role and it was challenging. It’s fun not to play myself all the time.”
Reviving Baywatch and Making a Broadway Debut
In 2017, Anderson reprised her role as CJ Parker in the Baywatch film reboot alongside The Rock, Zac Efron, and Alexandra Daddario, and starred in the horror thriller The Institute. Her acting journey took an exciting turn in 2022 when she debuted on Broadway as Roxie Hart in Chicago.
Describing how the opportunity arose, Anderson recounted to Vogue how director Rob Marshall approached her years before during a surf contest with her sons, encouraging her to consider Broadway. At first skeptical, she later embraced the chance when the timing aligned. She reflected on the experience, saying,
“It feels like synchronicity, it feels very meant to be.”
“Now my kids are grown and they’re so supportive. This is kind of a family project—my kids are my cheerleaders!” — Pamela Anderson
Documentary and Other Ventures Highlight Life and Career
Her story was recently documented in the Netflix film Pamela, A Love Story, released alongside her autobiography Love, Pamela in 2023. Anderson has also explored hosting responsibilities with gardening and cooking shows, releasing a cookbook titled I Love You: Recipes From The Heart. Earlier this year, she appeared in the stage production Camino Real at the Williamstown Theatre Festival.
Ongoing Ambition and Reflection on Her Career
Speaking to Variety last year, Anderson expressed enthusiasm about continuing to work and explore creative opportunities during her career renaissance. She remarked at the Zurich Film Festival,
“I look at it now and it feels like I went from ‘Baywatch’ to Broadway.”
“I don’t know what happened in between, it’s all a big blur. I am just happy to be here, in this moment, because I think I have had depression for a couple of decades.” — Pamela Anderson
She acknowledged a long-standing belief in her potential, stating,
“I always knew I was capable of more.” — Pamela Anderson
Anderson reflected on her role in pop culture fame, saying,
“It’s great to be a part of pop culture, but it’s a blessing and a curse. People fall in love with you because of a bathing suit. It has taken a long time, but I am here.”
Looking Ahead to the Film’s Release
The Naked Gun reboot will arrive in theaters on August 1, presenting fans with a new chapter featuring a mix of familiar homages and fresh comedic energy. Pamela Anderson’s involvement promises to add depth and intrigue, as she takes on a role that challenges previous perceptions and allows her to reveal a different side in a much-anticipated continuation of the iconic franchise.
