Pamela Anderson has scrapped plans to swap her famous last name for her Finnish grandfather’s surname, confirming on the January 11, 2026 Golden Globes red carpet that she is “sticking with Anderson.”
At a Glance
- The actress told Entertainment Tonight she will keep her stage name
- She once mused about becoming “Pamela Hyytiäinen” to honor her Finnish heritage
- Anderson was a 2025 Golden Globe nominee for The Last Showgirl
- Why it matters: Fans hoping for a rebranding of the pop-culture icon will see the familiar name on future projects
The reversal ends speculation sparked by a December 2025 Vogue Scandinavia cover story in which the 58-year-old star revealed she had considered adopting the surname Hyytiäinen, her late grandfather Herman’s Finnish name.
“Sometimes I don’t want to be Pamela Anderson. I want to be Pamela Hyytiäinen,” she told the magazine, adding that bureaucratic hurdles had stalled any switch. “I would like to change my name, but they won’t let me.”
Speaking with Entertainment Tonight ahead of the 83rd annual Golden Globe Awards, Anderson walked those comments back.
“That is my grandfather’s Finnish name. I felt like it was a little exotic, I liked it. But… sticking with Anderson. For now it’s Anderson,” she said.
Career Momentum
Although not nominated at the 2026 ceremony, Anderson’s profile has surged since her 2025 Best Actress in a Drama nomination for The Last Showgirl. The recognition, she told News Of Losangeles in December, ushered in “happy surprises” throughout the year.
Highlights from her recent slate include:
- A praised comedic turn in The Naked Gun opposite Liam Neeson
- A stage appearance in Tennessee Williams’s Camino Real at the Williamstown Theatre Festival
- Filming Love Is Not the Answer, Michael Cera’s directorial debut
For the Cera project she temporarily dyed her hair red, but has since returned to her signature blonde.
Personal Control
The Baywatch legend, mother to sons Brandon, 29, and Dylan, 28, emphasized that reclaiming authorship of her image has been central to her latest chapter.
“I’m making the choices in my career and the way I look,” she told News Of Losangeles. “I’m in control.”
Looking ahead, Anderson remains bullish on what lies ahead. “Let’s just hope this is just the beginning,” she said. “I’m ready for action and have this whole new inspiration and love of this industry-and life! It’s a rebel move to be happy.”
The 2026 Golden Globe Awards took place at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles and aired live on CBS and Paramount+.
Key Takeaways
- Anderson’s flirtation with “Hyytiäinen” is officially over
- The actress credits her recent professional resurgence to taking charge of her choices
- With multiple completed projects and a positive outlook, she shows no signs of slowing down
