90s star lands first ever Golden Globe nomination in shock career comeback

Pamela Anderson’s ‘role of a lifetime’ in Gia Coppola’s The Last Showgirl has scored her a Golden Globe nomination for the first time ever.

The former Playboy model, 57, became a household name as part of the hit series Baywatch which ran from 1989 to 1999.

Throughout the 90s and 00s, Pamela appeared in several iconic TV shows and films such as Barb Wire, Scary Movie 3 and Stacked – cementing herself as a US cultural icon.

In recent years, her life story has taken centre stage whether through her hit Netflix documentary Pamela, a Love Story or Disney Plus’ controversial series Pam & Tommy.

But now, Pamela is reclaiming the fictional narrative in her ‘continued career renaissance’ in what critics are calling her ‘most-layered’ and impressive role yet as lead star Shelley in The Last Showgirl.

And her recent Golden Globe nomination for best performance by a female actor in a motion picture – drama proves just what an unexpected powerhouse performance this was.

The re-emerging actor has stiff competition as she goes head-to-head with Kate Winslet, Tilda Swinton, Angelina Jolie and more in a stacked category.

The cultural icon famously starred in Baywatch in the 90s (Picture: Fremantle Media/Shutterstock)

The cultural icon bares her soul in her new movie The Last Showgirl(Picture: Roadside Attractions)

And has now landed a Golden Globe nomination amid the Oscars buzz (Picture: Roadside Attractions)

In a statement to People reacting to the news she added: ‘I share this beautiful nomination with The Last Showgirl Family, my family, and my hard-working companions on this interesting journey.  

‘It is never too late to dream, to start again, to stay open to possibilities – we are not all so lucky.

‘I wish everyone my love and thanks while I navigate this new exciting chapter.’

The recently-released teaser trailer – set to the Miley Cyrus’ also nominated original song Beautiful That Way – shows a distressed-looking Shelley preparing to go on stage for the final performance of Le Razzle Dazzle.

And as reckons with her life as a ‘Las Vegas showgirl’ Pamela debuts a series of glitzy and glamorous outfits.

A synopsis provided by Deadline reads: ‘A seasoned showgirl must plan for her future when her show abruptly closes after a 30-year run.

‘As a dancer in her fifties, she struggles with what to do next. As a mother, she strives to repair a strained relationship with her daughter, who often took a backseat to her showgirl family.’

The film also stars Jamie Lee Curtis, Dave Bautista, Billie Lourd, Kiernan Shipka and Brenda Song and debuted at Toronto International Film Festival in September to rave reviews.

‘The Last Showgirl is both the role of a lifetime for Anderson, one that can fully capture her incredible emotional intensity and vulnerability, and (we can only hope) the start of a brand new career for her,’ IndieWire wrote in a review.

The BBC hailed her a ‘revelation’ and TheWrap called it ‘a triumph for Anderson at a time when Hollywood is poised for comebacks.’

She admitted work has dried up recently and her agent almost passed on this award-worthy role (Picture: Roadside Attractions)

Aside from smaller roles in recent years, Pamela also released a candid Netflix documentary (Picture: Getty)

Entertainment Weekly has even posed awards buzz, writing: ‘Pamela Anderson, Oscar nominee, is probably not a combination of words most people thought they would ever hear.

‘But with her raw and beautiful performance in The Last Showgirl, it just might happen.’

As the hype increases, fans have shared their sheer excitement at seeing Pamela shine on the silver screen.

‘This is going to change me,’ @s4intfelina wrote on X.

‘I have a feeling tears will be shed and applause will be given,’ @nysocialbee added.

‘Pamela and Miley, both long overlooked by their industries, have now teamed up?! This is gonna be legendary,’ @alishaishere_ echoed.

The film nearly passed Pamela by, as she recalled to Deadline: ‘[My agent] thought it wasn’t right for me. He thought I couldn’t do it. At that point, I was being offered nothing. But also, I’d kind of given up too, in a way.’

But Gia fought to have Pamela see the script after watching her Netflix documentary and seeing ‘a woman that was bursting at the seams of wanting to express herself creatively’.

The latest role comes alongside other exciting projects for the actor including Liam Neeson’s The Naked Gun reboot and Karim Aïnouz’s film, Rosebush Pruning.

‘I just can’t believe it. I’m just starting my career at 57. It’s taken me all this time to just be myself,’ she concluded.

She is not the only 90s star to stage a career resurgence. Demi Moore, 62, has landed her second Golden Globe nomination for her role in The Substance.

It comes nearly 30 years after her last nomination for TV movie, Is The Walls Could Talk.

The Last Showgirl arrives in cinemas across the US on January 10, 2025. It will air in the UK on February 28, 2025.

This article was first published on November 15, 2024.

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