Pamela Anderson’s resurgence in 2025 is marked by her prominent role in the revival of the “Naked Gun” series alongside Liam Neeson. This follows the release of the Netflix documentary, “Pamela: A Love Story,” which revealed significant insights into her life and “The Last Showgirl” in 2024, which garnered her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress. Additionally, Anderson and Neeson are reportedly a couple, having begun dating during the filming of “The Naked Gun.”

Reflecting back to the mid-1990s, Anderson became a household name as lifeguard Casey on “Baywatch,” a role synonymous with her career. However, it’s easy to overlook the fact that her television career didn’t start off with her iconic beach persona. Early on, she appeared alongside future “Friends” star Matt LeBlanc in the brief 1991 sitcom “Top of the Heap,” a spin-off attempt from the late-’80s hit, “Married… with Children.”

In “Top of the Heap,” LeBlanc and Joseph Bologna played Vinnie and Charlie Verducci, a father-son duo trying to climb the social ladder. Anderson made a guest appearance as Ramona, a sultry character whom Vinnie (LeBlanc) tries to woo, fresh from her Playboy cover stint. While the show had its humorous moments, its lack of success paved the way for Anderson’s “Baywatch” fame — and for viewers to eventually enjoy “Friends.”

Though it is often overlooked, Anderson’s major TV breakthrough was not “Top of the Heap” or even “Baywatch.” Her career-defining role came on a different hit sitcom. Shortly after “Top of the Heap,” she was cast as “Lisa the Tool Girl” in the pilot episode of Tim Allen’s “Home Improvement.”

At the time, Anderson might not have realized the significance of the role, as “Home Improvement” had not yet achieved its eventual massive success. Leading up to this, she made guest appearances on “Married… with Children,” “Charles in Charge,” “Days of Our Lives,” and the lesser-known “Married People” from 1990 to 1992. Her role on “Home Improvement” soon expanded into a recurring one, leading to her subsequent casting in “Baywatch.”

In hindsight, it’s fascinating to consider that without “Baywatch,” Anderson might have carved out a niche as a ’90s sitcom regular. But the waves of destiny carried her elsewhere, and Anderson now finds herself thriving again — with “The Naked Gun” not even requiring her to don her iconic beach attire.