Pamela Anderson trades iconic Baywatch swimsuit for laughs in The Naked Gun reboot with Liam Neeson

Dubai: When you think of Pamela Anderson, you picture the woman in a red one-piece swimsuit, saving lives in slow motion. That iconic Baywatch run is the stuff of pop culture legend.

But fast-forward to 2025, and this is a world away from the 1990s sex symbol. Anderson has reinvented herself over and over, and now she’s ditched the beach for big laughs in the wacky new reboot of The Naked Gun, out in UAE cinemas this July 31.

Speaking to Gulf News exclusively, Pamela lights up when asked about sharing screen space with Liam Neeson, the man whose voice alone could negotiate with kidnappers and make grown baddies quake.

“He’s such a gentleman,” she said warmly. “Working with a legend like him and doing something this fun — with a sweet love story at its core — was incredible. We really jumped into the unknown together. High comedy takes trust and courage, and this was an unforgettable experience. We’ll be friends for life.”

This time, the slow-motion rescues are replaced by slapstick chaos, thanks to Saturday Night Live alum Akiva Schaffer at the helm.

“I honestly think comedies need to make a comeback,” she said.

“Akiva’s timing is brilliant — comedy is like a science, every beat has to land. We filmed so much material, you could make a couple of movies out of it. Through all the silliness, staying grounded and connected was key. I just hope this film honours the original fans and also pulls in a brand-new audience.

It's a new, unknown territory for Liam Neeson too. After all, he has built a career out of brooding intensity. For decades, he’s been Hollywood’s go-to guy for gravitas: swords, sabers, or a set of “particular skills,” you name it. And that’s exactly why watching him dive headfirst into the delicious absurdity of The Naked Gun is such a trip.

But making people laugh looks easy — but it's not says Pamela.

“The main thing is to keep it real,” she explained.

“You can’t laugh at your own jokes while shooting. It’s all about making sure the connection between characters feels authentic, even when everything around you is completely ridiculous.”

As someone who has seen Hollywood change dramatically over the decades, Pamela has a good sense of what brings people back to theatres.

“People are heading to cinemas again,” she said.

“You want to watch comedy and action on the big screen, to enjoy it with others. Personally, I love emotional films — French, Italian, Hong Kong cinema — but right now feels like the perfect time for a comedy like this.”

For her, The Naked Gun also carries a strong sense of nostalgia.

“I adored Leslie Nielsen,” she recalled alluding to the 1988 classic.

“He started as a dramatic actor, and taking on something so silly was genius. That’s why it’s so much fun seeing Liam in this role. He’s known for serious performances, but he’s naturally funny — and in this, he’s just brilliant.”

The admiration isn't one-sided. In a separate exclusive interview with Gulf News, her co-star Neeson had nothing but praise for Pamela.

“I love the fact that I didn’t know Pamela’s history. I was aware of Baywatch many years ago. I didn’t avidly watch it, but I knew of its popularity. Pamela has a terrific sense of humour. There were no airs and graces, none of that nonsense. She was there to act and to work. She was very available, and I really enjoyed her company. We had a few giggles between takes.”

And for Pamela, it's about the journey and not the destination per se.

Before we wrapped up our call with Pamela, our conversation turned to reinvention — something the bodacious bombshell has mastered.

“I’ve been reinventing myself since I was little,” she said with a laugh.

“Even in my personal life I was always playing different characters. Over the years, I’ve learned to figure out who I really am — my thoughts, my dreams, how I want to present myself to the world. That process has helped me with my roles. Even in a comedy like this, falling in love on screen and feeling those emotions again was incredibly healing.”

Pamela Anderson has built a career on surprises.

With The Naked Gun, she’s added another twist to her legend — proving that, decades later, she still knows how to steal a scene, only now she’s doing it with a wink and a laugh.