He was once scandalised for nudity—now he’s owning it at 64
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An iconic '80s actor—once known for scandal and stardom—was spotted in a rare public outing, looking worlds away from his controversial youth.
His breakout role alongside Brooke Shields still sparks debate more than four decades later.
Despite the backlash, he remained in the industry and even recently revisited his risqué past.
Christopher Atkins, now 64, was seen in Southport, Connecticut, last week as he ran errands—including a stop at a petrol station—during a casual day out.
The former teen idol, best known for his role in The Blue Lagoon, kept cool in a grey-green tank top, floral-print Hawaiian-style cargo shorts, and beige flip-flops.
He wore his trademark blond hair, though it had lightened to a near-platinum hue. Image available here.
Atkins shot to fame in 1980 when he starred opposite 14-year-old Brooke Shields in The Blue Lagoon, a film that ignited outrage for its nudity and sexual themes.
The plot followed two shipwrecked children—who were also cousins—stranded on a remote island without adult supervision.
As they matured in isolation, their relationship turned romantic, and they eventually had a child.
Although Shields’ more explicit scenes were performed by a body double, she did appear topless with her hair glued to her chest.
Atkins, 18 at the time, performed his own nude scenes, including full-frontal shots.
Despite being slammed by critics, the film was a box office success, grossing $58.8 million in North America against a modest $4.5 million budget.
But the controversy lingered, and Atkins struggled to shake the image attached to the role.
In 1982, he posed nude for Playgirl, a move that may have reinforced his public persona rather than expanded his career options.
That same year, he starred in The Pirate Movie, an Australian musical based on The Pirates of Penzance, which also failed to impress critics or audiences.
He did, however, land a recurring role on the hit series Dallas in 1983—one of the few mainstream highlights of his acting career.
The remainder of Atkins' roles largely consisted of low-budget films and television guest appearances.
He married Australian model Lyn Barron in 1985, and the couple share two children.
In a 2009 interview with People, Atkins opened up about his career slump and ongoing struggle with alcoholism, revealing he had since become sober.
In 1999, he reunited with Shields on her sitcom Suddenly Susan, marking a brief return to the spotlight.
He also had a cameo in the 2012 TV remake Blue Lagoon: The Awakening.
Although acting remained a passion, Atkins diversified his career—becoming a swimming pool builder and fishing lure designer.
In 2022, he joined Shields again for her podcast Now What?, where they candidly discussed the filming of The Blue Lagoon.
Source: Instagram/brookeshields
‘Why do I have to look at this? I’d never seen one before. I’m not going to start now,’ Shields joked about Atkins’ on-set nudity.
She added that the crew ‘wanted so desperately for us to fall in love with each other,’ but confessed she had ‘never even kissed anybody.’
Atkins responded: ‘Which was probably great for the film because that’s what it was all about. You have to admit the chemistry between us was just amazing.’
Earlier this month, he revisited his bold past once again—gracing the July 2025 cover of Playgirl, 43 years after his first shoot with the magazine.
He also filmed an episode of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and, according to IMDb, has five completed or in-progress projects slated for release.
Changing how we present ourselves with age can feel bold, personal—and sometimes, even shocking to those watching from the outside.
One well-known actress recently surprised fans with a dramatic new look that’s got everyone talking.
If you’re fascinated by how stars reinvent themselves over time, this one’s worth a look.
Read more: Katie Holmes looks unrecognizable in latest interview – see the shocking transformation!
Would you ever expect a former teen idol to relive their most controversial moment four decades later?
His breakout role alongside Brooke Shields still sparks debate more than four decades later.
Despite the backlash, he remained in the industry and even recently revisited his risqué past.
Christopher Atkins, now 64, was seen in Southport, Connecticut, last week as he ran errands—including a stop at a petrol station—during a casual day out.
The former teen idol, best known for his role in The Blue Lagoon, kept cool in a grey-green tank top, floral-print Hawaiian-style cargo shorts, and beige flip-flops.
He wore his trademark blond hair, though it had lightened to a near-platinum hue. Image available here.
Rare sighting of Blue Lagoon actor. Image source: Instagram/the.bluelagoon
Atkins shot to fame in 1980 when he starred opposite 14-year-old Brooke Shields in The Blue Lagoon, a film that ignited outrage for its nudity and sexual themes.
The plot followed two shipwrecked children—who were also cousins—stranded on a remote island without adult supervision.
As they matured in isolation, their relationship turned romantic, and they eventually had a child.
Although Shields’ more explicit scenes were performed by a body double, she did appear topless with her hair glued to her chest.
Atkins, 18 at the time, performed his own nude scenes, including full-frontal shots.
Despite being slammed by critics, the film was a box office success, grossing $58.8 million in North America against a modest $4.5 million budget.
But the controversy lingered, and Atkins struggled to shake the image attached to the role.
In 1982, he posed nude for Playgirl, a move that may have reinforced his public persona rather than expanded his career options.
That same year, he starred in The Pirate Movie, an Australian musical based on The Pirates of Penzance, which also failed to impress critics or audiences.
He did, however, land a recurring role on the hit series Dallas in 1983—one of the few mainstream highlights of his acting career.
The remainder of Atkins' roles largely consisted of low-budget films and television guest appearances.
He married Australian model Lyn Barron in 1985, and the couple share two children.
In a 2009 interview with People, Atkins opened up about his career slump and ongoing struggle with alcoholism, revealing he had since become sober.
In 1999, he reunited with Shields on her sitcom Suddenly Susan, marking a brief return to the spotlight.
He also had a cameo in the 2012 TV remake Blue Lagoon: The Awakening.
Although acting remained a passion, Atkins diversified his career—becoming a swimming pool builder and fishing lure designer.
In 2022, he joined Shields again for her podcast Now What?, where they candidly discussed the filming of The Blue Lagoon.
Source: Instagram/brookeshields
‘Why do I have to look at this? I’d never seen one before. I’m not going to start now,’ Shields joked about Atkins’ on-set nudity.
She added that the crew ‘wanted so desperately for us to fall in love with each other,’ but confessed she had ‘never even kissed anybody.’
Atkins responded: ‘Which was probably great for the film because that’s what it was all about. You have to admit the chemistry between us was just amazing.’
Earlier this month, he revisited his bold past once again—gracing the July 2025 cover of Playgirl, 43 years after his first shoot with the magazine.
Atkins returns to Playgirl after 43 years. Image source: Playgirl
He also filmed an episode of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and, according to IMDb, has five completed or in-progress projects slated for release.
Changing how we present ourselves with age can feel bold, personal—and sometimes, even shocking to those watching from the outside.
One well-known actress recently surprised fans with a dramatic new look that’s got everyone talking.
If you’re fascinated by how stars reinvent themselves over time, this one’s worth a look.
Read more: Katie Holmes looks unrecognizable in latest interview – see the shocking transformation!
Would you ever expect a former teen idol to relive their most controversial moment four decades later?
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