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Introduction

An American Icon

     I'm very excited to have looked more in depth into the life of Pamela Anderson.  She

came to America from Canada and became a star.  The first time I remember hearing

about her is from her Baywatch days and it was very interesting to research and find out

so much more about this Canadian Centennial Babe.  

     American Icons are the ones that have significantly inspired and impacted American

society.  Being famous and winning a few awards doesn't make you an American Icon,

you have to pass the test by answering yes to one or more of the following questions:

    • Do they pass the one-name test? (Pam or Pamela)
    • Can you dress up as them for Halloween? (Yes, and I have!)
    • Did they blaze a trail in pop culture? (Everyone talks about her)
    • Did they create a signature character in pop culture? (Baywatch days- the image of her in the red bathing suit and floating device in hand always comes to mind)
    • Did "SNL" create a sketch satirizing them? (yeppers)
    • Did someone write a song about them? (Not sure ?)
    • Was or is there merchandising/paraphernalia that bears their image? (definitely!)
    • Can they be connected to Kevin Bacon? (Pamela has a Bacon number of two. She appeared in 1996's "Barb Wire" alongside Clint Howard, who co-starred with Bacon in 2000's "My Dog Skip."  (Williamson)

Following after Bugs Bunny, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Robin Williams, Pamela

Anderson is ranked #80 on the top "200 Greatest Pop Culture American Icons" list,

which was created by VH1 (VH1's "200 Greatest Pop Culture Icons").

     Pamela Anderson is always popping up in the entertainment section of the media. 

From her image being portrayed on the wide screen at a Canadian football game, to her

commercial days as the "Blue Zone Girl", to "Home Improvement", to her movies, porn

star days, cartoons, and rocker relationships, Pamela Anderson can be considered an

American Icon in a variety of different ways.  Whether they're shown in a positive or

negative light (which Pamela has been shown in both) American Icons are shown and

created through the media.