Christopher Atkins was a teen idol at just 19, a TV pool builder at 47, and now a doting grandfather in his 60s. His life has been full of ups and downs, marked by fame, betrayal, addiction, and redemption. He was born on February 21, 1961, in Rye, New York. Before becoming famous, he was a fresh-faced model with no acting experience. In 1980, at age 19, Christopher was chosen to star in The Blue Lagoon. The movie, co-starring Brooke Shields, shocked audiences with its bold story of two cousins shipwrecked on a deserted island who discover love and intimacy.
Critics criticized the film for its nudity and controversial themes, but it became a big box office success. This role made Christopher an overnight teen idol. Fame came quickly, and with it, constant attention. He said that many men, more than women, showed interest in him, calling gay men his “biggest fan base.” Despite the overwhelming spotlight, he kept moving forward. Christopher added several roles to his resume. He acted in the TV movie Child Bride of Short Creek (1981) and gave his voice to animated films like Swan Lake and Aladdin and the Magic Lamp in 1982. He took risks with roles like the pirate in The Pirate Movie and a stripper in A Night in Heaven (1983).
In 1983, he landed a popular role on the famous soap opera Dallas, playing Peter Richards for 27 episodes. This cemented his status as a TV star. However, by the mid-1980s, Christopher’s fame began to fade. He appeared more in TV movies and supporting roles, such as Secret Weapons (1985) and a guest spot on Hotel. Behind the scenes, he faced serious personal struggles. After marrying Australian model Lyn Barron, Christopher was betrayed by his manager, Mick Schneider, who stole up to $500,000 from celebrity clients. This left Christopher nearly broke. He later said, “There is nothing worse than having your whole life pulled out from under you.”
This pain led to an alcohol-fueled breakdown in 1986, and Christopher entered rehab. This was the start of a long journey toward sobriety. Despite these challenges, he continued acting in smaller projects such as Night Rose: Akhbar’s Daughter (1987), Beaks: The Movie (1987), and Mortuary Academy (1988). He stayed busy with films like Listen to Me (1989) and Fatal Charm (1990). By the early 1990s, Christopher was balancing acting with fatherhood, raising two children, Grant and Brittney. In 1993 alone, he appeared in multiple films and TV shows.
Throughout the late 1990s, he worked steadily in TV and direct-to-video movies. His roles included parts in Bullet Down Under (1994), Guns of Honor, Trigger Fast, and others. Entering the 2000s, Christopher took on more independent films, showing his versatility. Between 1999 and 2002, he appeared in many movies and TV projects, proving his dedication to his craft. In 2007, Christopher divorced Lyn Barron. Since then, he described himself as a serial monogamist, with two long-term relationships.
In 2009, at age 47, Christopher appeared on VH1’s reality show Confessions of a Teen Idol. He saw it as a chance to prove he still had what it takes. That year, he proudly announced 22 years of sobriety and reflected on his past, saying, “I wouldn’t change a thing. It’s who I am today.” Alongside acting, Christopher developed a passion for building luxury swimming pools. His designs often reflected the lagoon theme of his famous movie. He explained, “You have to do what you need to do. Life is an adventure.”
By the 2010s, he balanced pool building with steady acting in indie films like Forget Me Not (2009) and Sedona (2011). In 2012, he returned to his roots by appearing in Blue Lagoon: The Awakening. Christopher also worked on family and faith-based projects, including The Sparrows: Nesting (2014) and TV appearances in CSI: Miami. Now 64, Christopher remains active on screen and social media, where fans still praise his charm and good looks. He has acted in recent films such as Lake of Fire (2020) and Ladies of the ’80s: A Divas Christmas (2023). He also has upcoming projects in development.
Christopher has ambitions beyond acting. He has worked as a producer and writer on various projects and hopes to direct and produce more in the future. But the role he cherishes most is being a grandfather. By 2021, he had three grandsons, whom he enjoys taking on adventures like camping and fishing. From Hollywood heartthrob and survivor to pool builder and proud grandfather, Christopher Atkins has faced life’s challenges with courage and grace. Though his career has had highs and lows, he remains sober, family-focused, and ready for new chapters. At 64, he shows that life after fame can still be full of joy and purpose.