If you were a teen in the early ’80s, there’s a good chance you remember the sun-drenched, controversial romance of The Blue Lagoon.
Fast-forward more than four decades, and Christopher Atkins — yes, that blond heartthrob — has been spotted out and about again, this time in Southport, Connecticut.
On a low-key day, Atkins was seen running errands, including a quick gas station stop.
The now 64-year-old actor kept it casual in beach-ready gear: a faded green tank, floral cargo shorts, and flip-flops.
And yes, his trademark blond hair — now a soft platinum — is still part of his signature look.
The Movie That Sparked Decades of Debate
Christopher Atkins shot to fame in 1980 when he starred opposite Brooke Shields in The Blue Lagoon.
The plot followed two young cousins who are shipwrecked on a remote island and, over time, grow up, fall in love, and become lovers — all while avoiding indigenous inhabitants.
While Atkins was 18 during filming, Shields was only 14, which made the movie controversial from the start.
Although her more explicit scenes were handled by an adult body double, and creative camera tricks were used (like gluing hair to her chest), many viewers and critics still found the nudity and premise unsettling.
Despite harsh reviews, the film was a box office success, raking in nearly $59 million in North America on a modest $4.5 million budget.
Fame, Playgirl, and the Price of Iconic Roles
Following the film’s popularity, Atkins embraced his sex-symbol image.
In 1982, he took a bold leap by posing nude for Playgirl, just two years after Blue Lagoon.
But while the photos made headlines, they also seemed to typecast him, possibly limiting his career options.
He starred in a few more projects, like voicing characters in English dubs of Japanese animated films and taking the lead in The Pirate Movie, a campy musical adaptation of The Pirates of Penzance.
Unfortunately, the film flopped critically and commercially.
A year later, he landed a recurring role on the hit show Dallas, but after that, most of his roles were in low-budget films or one-off TV appearances.
Life Off Screen and Personal Battles
In 1985, Atkins married Australian model Lyn Barron, and the couple had two children.
But off screen, life wasn’t always smooth. During a dry spell in his career, he opened up about battling alcoholism.
In a 2009 People interview, he revealed that he had entered rehab and was proudly sober for over 20 years.
His passion for acting never faded, but he also explored other pursuits — like designing fishing lures and building swimming pools.
Talk about versatile!
A Look Back and a Full-Circle Moment
In 1999, Atkins had a nostalgic reunion with Brooke Shields on her sitcom Suddenly Susan.
They shared the screen again briefly in 2012 for Blue Lagoon: The Awakening, a modern TV movie remake of their classic film.
In 2022, the pair reunited again — this time on Shields’ podcast Now What?.
They candidly discussed their awkward early days on set, with Shields laughing about how uncomfortable she was filming around a constantly nude Atkins.
She admitted, “I’d never seen one before. I’m not going to start now!”
Atkins chimed in that their innocent, inexperienced chemistry probably made the film more authentic.
Still Going Strong and Gracing Magazine Covers
Now in his sixties, Atkins hasn’t slowed down. According to IMDb, he has five film projects in the works or completed.
And to the surprise — and delight — of fans, he even made a return to Playgirl, appearing on the July 2025 cover, more than 40 years after his original spread.
Whether you remember him as the dreamy teen from The Blue Lagoon or appreciate his journey through Hollywood’s highs and lows, Christopher Atkins continues to stay true to himself — quietly working, occasionally posing, and always marching to the beat of his own drum.