Pamela Anderson admits she was "beating [herself] up" for not working "hard enough" before making her comeback in 'The Last Showgirl'

The former Playboy cover star admits that until she landed the role, she had little ambition, but the movie's success has made her determined to leave behind a "legacy" her family can be proud of.

She told OK! Magazine: "I don't consider myself a very ambitious person, but I've learnt that life happens, and you have to make the most of it. Before I found this role, I was beating myself up, thinking, 'I just didn't work hard enough. This wasn't meant to be.' I navigated it the best I could to get here, but now I'm excited again. I want to leave behind a legacy my kids and my family can be proud of. They've always known I was capable of more."

Despite giving herself a hard time in the past, Pamela relished the "hard work" that went into her complex character.

And the 'Barb Wire' actress has her sons to thank for encouraging her back to acting.

She said: "I'm just happy that The Last Showgirl is resonating with people. I'm really happy that people are appreciating the hard work that goes into creating a three-dimensional character like this - a character who is interesting and touching.

"These last few years have been an incredible ride. It's been very hard work, but I love hard work, so I guess it's all about timing really. I have to thank my children, Brandon and Dylan, who are partners in this. We do a lot of businesses together, but they took it upon themselves to help set me up so that I could finally shine."

The 57-year-old model and actress feels like she is at the start of her career again and has only "begun to scratch the surface".

Asked if she wants to do more indie films, she said: "I feel like this is just the beginning of my career. When I went home, I gave up and thought, 'I guess I'm just never going to be able to do or be what I'm capable of'. I guess I really f***** up. Whatever. I'll figure it out.' But then I got this role and I figured I had nothing to lose. This might be the only movie I ever do in my life, but I know I'm capable of more, so that's what pushed me. But I do feel like I've just begun to scratch the surface."

Pamela's upcoming projects include the fourth film in the 'Naked Gun' comedy franchise and the thriller 'Rosebush Pruning'.