Pamela Anderson has always been "very curious about the craft of acting".

The 57-year-old actress shot to international stardom as Casey Jean 'C.J.' Parker in the action drama series 'Baywatch' in the early 90s - but Pamela always knew that she could "be more than [she] was doing".

The Hollywood star told Variety: "I was always very curious about the craft of acting, but I didn't have to apply myself when I was running around in a bathing suit on 'Baywatch'.

"I was curious about it - I would be sitting on the floor of Samuel French, reading Tennessee Williams and Eugene O'Neill plays. I didn't know how to get from there to there, but I just had this dream. I always kept it a secret that I could be more than I was doing."

Pamela has received critical acclaim for her recent performance in 'The Last Showgirl'.

The actress feels director Gia Coppola gave her the perfect platform to showcase her acting skills.

She said: "Gia could see the hunger in me as a woman who wanted to express herself; I attribute a lot to her for having that vision.

"I always tell her, 'You saved my life.' Because I would have hated to never get my chance to do something that was meaningful to me."

Pamela previously confessed to being "grateful" for all the troubles she's experienced in her life.

The former 'Baywatch' star - who has been married five times - told The Sunday Times newspaper: "I don't think I've failed.

"Every love, every experience, is a learning experience, and I'm grateful for everything. But in hindsight I look and I see a person that had some trauma early in her life."