Christopher Atkins, an actor and former model once widely recognized for his leading role opposite Brooke Shields, was recently seen in Southport, Connecticut—a rare public outing for the 64-year-old. Atkins remains best known for his part in The Blue Lagoon (1980), a film that garnered considerable infamy not just for its idyllic island setting, but for its extensive nudity and the significant controversy surrounding the age of his co-star, Brooke Shields, who was only 14 during filming.
In The Blue Lagoon, Atkins and Shields played two cousins marooned on a deserted island after a shipwreck. As the only surviving adults, they were left to navigate their survival, ultimately growing up and falling in love in complete isolation. The film’s provocative nature, particularly its sexualized portrayal of underage characters, drew intense criticism.
Although body doubles were used for Shields’ more explicit scenes, Atkins, then 18, appeared fully nude in several shots. Despite the critical backlash, the movie was a commercial success, pulling in nearly $59 million in North America against a modest $4.5 million budget. Nevertheless, the controversy cast a long shadow over Atkins’ burgeoning career.
Leveraging his newfound fame and sex symbol status, Atkins posed nude for Playgirl magazine in 1982, a bold move that perhaps solidified his typecasting in Hollywood. That same year, he starred in The Pirate Movie, a musical comedy loosely inspired by The Pirates of Penzance. The film was critically panned and failed to cement his popularity into a lasting career.
Atkins found some stability with a recurring role on the television soap opera Dallas in the mid-1980s, but much of his subsequent work consisted of low-budget films and guest appearances on TV. He reconnected with Shields in a 1999 episode of her sitcom Suddenly Susan and later had a cameo in the 2012 contemporary remake Blue Lagoon: The Awakening.
Away from the camera, Atkins has largely maintained a private existence. He married Australian model Lyn Barron in 1985, and they share two children. In a 2009 interview with People magazine, he candidly discussed his struggle with alcoholism during a period of career decline. Fortunately, he sought treatment and has maintained his sobriety for over two decades.
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During his hiatus from the public eye, he pursued various other ventures, including building swimming pools and designing fishing lures, while still taking on roles in independent films
In 2022, Atkins reunited with Shields once more, this time on her podcast Now What?, to reflect on their Blue Lagoon experience. Shields humorously recounted her discomfort on set, jesting about seeing a male body for the first time: “Why do I have to look at this? I’d never seen one before—I’m not going to start now.” She also shared how producers had hoped for a genuine romance to blossom between them, though nothing romantic developed. “We hadn’t even kissed anyone yet,” she remarked. Atkins concurred, adding, “Maybe that was for the best—it gave the film a certain innocence. But you have to admit, the chemistry between us was undeniable.”
This July, Atkins made a noteworthy return to Playgirl magazine, gracing its cover once again—43 years after his initial appearance. While he no longer dominates headlines, Atkins remains active in the entertainment industry. According to IMDb, he currently has five film projects either completed or in post-production.
During his recent Connecticut outing, Atkins was observed fueling his car, dressed casually in a gray-green tank top and floral cargo shorts, with his hair tinted platinum blonde—appearing to be content with a more low-key life after decades in the public spotlight
