10 Celebrities Who Became Famous by Accident (3 of 6)

Pamela Anderson: the stadium close-up

Pam was a fitness instructor until a tight tee and a stadium jumbotron cameo turned her into a brand’s dream. The massive attention led to modeling gigs and then to Baywatch. Soon after, the whole world knew the name Pamela Anderson, and teenage boys started buying posters in bulk. A single camera pan during the game resulted in numerous slow-motion beach runs.

Jennifer Aniston: a gas-station pep talk

Pre-Friends, Jen had a string of not-so-successful gigs, which made her doubt her skills. But one day, at a Sunset Boulevard gas station, she happened to see NBC’s former chief, Warren Littlefield, gassing up his car and started a casual convo. In the end, she asked, “Will it ever happen for me?” And his encouragement was all she needed, because shortly after, the actress did the Friends audition. We all know very well how that whole thing panned out—she earned instant icon status.