"Baywatch" was once the most-watched television series in the world, and it continues to be viewed all around the world via syndication on streaming services, TV and cable networks. You'd think the stars of the show would be rolling in the dough with residual checks, but you would be wrong — at least in Pamela Anderson's case.
In fact, despite Amazon purchasing the rights to the show in the United States, Australia and Canada in 2019, Pam is only getting $4,000 a year in residual checks.
While promoting her Netflix documentary, "Pamela: A Love Story," the actress and her son Brandon Lee spoke of her "Baywatch" pay discrepancies, something her son says is criminal.
"When I go back and I even look at past deals and residual checks people would be shocked to find out how people really took advantage of her and took advantage of a young girl making a bad deal on a big show, and she was the biggest star in the world at the time," he told "Extra." "I think a lot of people made a lot of money off that, people are going to have to have their day when we come knocking… when she makes $4,000 a year off of 'Baywatch?' That's a crime."
Along with David Hasselhoff, Pamela was among the most notable names to star on the beachside drama, having portrayed lifeguard C.J. Parker for six years.
"When a big company like [Amazon] buys the rights to the 'Baywatch' box set and she doesn't get a dollar? You tell me if that's right," he adds. "She is 'Baywatch.'"
Pam, however, said she's not really worried about the money.
"I always say, 'You can't take me away from me,'" the 'Barb Wire" actress said. "I'll always find my way."
Still, Brandon argues that his mother deserves to "get what's right."
"If it's your work and your face and your image, you deserve something," he said. "You couldn't get away with that today. There's no actress in the world that that would happen to today."