Christopher Atkins

Christopher Atkins (born Christopher Atkins Bomann,[1] February 21, 1961)[2] is an American actor, perhaps best known for his debut in the 1980 film The Blue Lagoon.

Christopher Atkins
Atkins attending the Bench Warmer Holiday Party at Empire, Hollywood, California on December 5, 2009
Born
Christopher Atkins Bomann

(1961-02-21) February 21, 1961
OccupationActor
Years active1977present
Spouse(s)
Lyn Barron
(m. 1985; div. 2007)
Children
  • Grant Bomann
  • Brittney Bomann

Early life

Christopher Atkins Bomann was born[2] and raised[3] in Rye, New York. He is the son of Donald Bomann and Bitsy Nebauer, who divorced during his childhood.[4] Atkins was an aspiring baseball player; when his baseball aspirations were derailed by knee problems, he started a modeling career. When he began acting, Atkins dropped the last name Bomann and used his middle name, Atkins, as his last name.[3]

Career

A friend suggested that Atkins audition for The Blue Lagoon.[2] The film's director, Randal Kleiser, stated that Atkins was a sailing instructor with no acting experience when he was cast in the film.[3] In the film, Atkins and co-star Brooke Shields played teenaged cousins who find love while living in an isolated tropical paradise after being marooned as children.[5] Released in 1980, the film grossed over $58 million with a production cost of $4.5 million[6][7][8] but received negative critical responses.[9] Atkins appeared both nude and scantily clad in the film.[5][10][11][4] While Blue Lagoon was controversial due to its nude scenes and sexual content,[12] it nevertheless became a "pop culture phenomenon".[13] Atkins was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year in a Motion Picture – Male for The Blue Lagoon.[14]

Atkins in 1981

In 1982 Atkins posed nude for Playgirl,[4][11] and co-starred with Kristy McNichol in The Pirate Movie (1982), an update of Gilbert and Sullivan's operetta The Pirates of Penzance.[2] His song "How Can I Live Without Her", which peaked at #71 on the Billboard Hot 100, was used in that film. For his performance in the film A Night in Heaven (1983), Atkins won the 1983 Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actor.[15] For one season (1983–1984), Atkins had a recurring role as camp counselor Peter Richards on Dallas.[2]

In 1999, Atkins appeared in the television sitcom Suddenly Susan, which starred Shields.[3] In 2009, Atkins appeared on VH1's Confessions of a Teen Idol, a reality show featuring former teen idols.[16][17] Atkins was ranked no. 76 on VH1's list of 100 Greatest Teen Stars.[2]

Atkins became a luxury pool builder[16] and co-developed the Christopher Atkins Strike Jacket E.F.L. (Extreme Fishing Lure)--"a rubbery slipcovering for traditional baits."[3]

Personal life

Atkins and his daughter on the red carpet at the 62nd Annual Mother Goose Parade in San Diego County, 2008

Atkins married Lyn Barron Weber of Sydney, Australia, on May 25, 1985. The couple have two children: son Grant Bomann and daughter Brittney Bomann.[18][19] The couple divorced in 2007.[20]

In a 2009 interview, Atkins acknowledged his past struggle with alcoholism and stated that he had been sober for 22 years.[20]

Filmography

Film and Television

Year Title Role Notes
1980The Blue LagoonRichard LestrangeNominated—Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year in a Motion Picture – Male
1981Swan LakePrince SiegfriedVoice only, English version
1981Child Bride of Short CreekIsaac KingTV movie
1982Aladdin and the Magic LampAladdinVoice only, English version
1982The Pirate MovieFredericNominated—Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Actor
1983–84DallasPeter RichardsTV series; season 7; 27 episodes
1983A Night in HeavenRick MonroeGolden Raspberry Award for Worst Actor
1985Secret WeaponsAllan CollierTV movie
1985HotelJason FieldingEpisode: "Echoes"
1987Beaks: The MoviePeter
1987Night Rose: Akhbar's DaughterBittermanTV pilot episode
1988Mortuary AcademyMax Grimm
1989Listen to MeBruce ArlingtonGolden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actor
1990Fatal CharmAdam BrennerTV movie
1990ShakmaSam
1991Extralarge: Miami KillerBlakeTV movie
1992Wet and Wild Summer!Bobby McCain
1993The Adventures of the Black StallionDrag RacerEpisode: "Racing in the Streets"
1993Dracula RisingVladDirect-to-video
1993Die WatchingMichael TerrenceDirect-to-video
1993¡Dispara!Spence
1993King's RansomSpenceDirect-to-video
1994Bandit Goes CountryJohnny BruceTV movie
1994Trigger FastDusty Fog
1994Guns of HonorDusty FogTV movie
1994Signal OneMartin Bullet
1995Project Shadowchaser IIISnakeTV movie
1995Smoke n LightninLightnin
1996It's My PartyJack Allen
1996Dead Man's IslandRoger PrescottTV movie
1996Angel Flight DownJack BahrTV movie
1996Silk StalkingsChance ReynoldsEpisode: "Compulsion"
1997High TideRaiderEpisode: "A Rock and a Hard Place"
1997Mutual NeedsAndrew
1998The Fairy King of ArN/AWriter and producer
1999Suddenly SusanTonyEpisode: "Sometimes You Feel Like a Nut"
1999Lima: Breaking the SilenceJeff
1999Deadly DelusionsSam Gitlin
2000Malicious IntentAlfred Russo
2000Stage GhostMatthew Bronson
2001Title to MurderPaul Shaughnessy
2001Dark RealmJack AndersonEpisode: "Emma's Boy"
2001The Little UnicornPC Sid EdwardsDirect-to-video
2001True Legends of the WestTheodore Sutherland
200213th ChildRonDirect-to-video
2002Under the GunBill
2002The StonemanKip Hollings
2002Love Don't Come EasyClay
2002Tequila ExpressDavid Manning
2003QuigleyWoodward Channing
2003Strike ForceRingo
2006Caved In: Prehistoric TerrorJohn PalmerTV movie
2007PaybackSean Walker
2007Spiritual WarriorsKing of Sparta
2008Blind AmbitionWild Bill
2008100 Million BCErik RenoDirect-to-video
2008Chinaman's Chance: America's Other SlavesJacob
2009Forget Me NotMr. Channing
2009Confessions of a Teen IdolHimselfTV reality series, 8 episodes
2010MelissaEllisShort film (directed by his daughter)
2010Stained Glass WindowsDetective Marshall
2011SedonaPierce
2011Family 2.0MichaelShort film
2011Exodus FallWayne Minor
2011Assassins' CodeDaniel Dodd
2011HiddenDian's Husband
2011Harley's HillMr. MillerDirect-to-video
2012Blue Lagoon: The AwakeningMr. ChristiansenTV movie
2013Crazy Kind of LoveMr. Jeffries
2013AmyChrisAlso associate producer
2014Waiting in the Wings: The MusicalPriest
2014Better Late Than NeverN/AShort film (executive producer)
2014Guardian AngelJohn Robertson
2014CSI: Crime Scene InvestigationJimmy TurelliEpisode: "Dead Rails"
2015A Horse for SummerPastor Bob
2015The Sparrows: NestingMike SparrowAction On Film International Film Festival – Best Actor
2015Kids vs MonstersCharles
2015A Tennis Shoe in the StreetLucky / Brandon
2016DefrostGeorge Michael GarrisonShort film
2016The EleventhNeilTV series short, 5 episodes
2016The Unlikely'sDaniel Jacobsen
2018Gathering of Heroes: Legend of the Seven SwordsGarrik Grayraven
2018The City of GoldRichard Davenport
2019Defrost: The Virtual SeriesGeorge Michael GarrisonTV series short, 11 episodes
2019One RemainsSamuel Mahoney
TBALake of FireHenry WaynePost-production
TBAThe Curse of the GorgonBatesPost-production
TBAAttraction to ParisEdwardPost-production

References

  1. "Atkins, Christopher 1961– | Encyclopedia.com". www.encyclopedia.com.
  2. "Happy Birthday To Rye's Christopher Atkins". Rye Daily Voice. February 21, 2014.
  3. Tauber, Michelle (October 9, 2000). "From the Depths". People.com.
  4. Wallace, David (July 11, 1983). "Look Out, J.R.—Chris Atkins Is Muscling in on the Action as Dallas Beefs Up Its Cast". People.com.
  5. McMurrin, Kristin (August 11, 1980). "Too Much, Too Young?". People. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
  6. "The Blue Lagoon (1980) - Financial Information". The-Numbers.com. Retrieved January 4, 2020.
  7. "AFI Catalog of Feature Films: The First 100 Years 1893–1993". AFI.com. Retrieved January 4, 2020.
  8. "The Blue Lagoon". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved January 4, 2020.
  9. "The Blue Lagoon". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  10. "Christopher Atkins: Poster Child for Gay Rights Movement?". Advocate.com. January 9, 2009. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
  11. "Chris Atkins". HollywoodShow.com. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
  12. Bender, Abbey (March 4, 2019). "Sexualized Innocence: Revisiting The Blue Lagoon". www.RogerEbert.com.
  13. Mackie, Drew (July 1, 2015). "Celebrate The Blue Lagoon's 35th Anniversary with 10 Movie Facts You Should Know". People.com.
  14. Andreeva, Nellie (March 8, 2012). "Denise Richards To Co-Star In 'Blue Lagoon' Reboot, Christopher Atkins To Make Cameo". Deadline.com.
  15. Fleming, Andrew (November 27, 2014). "Reliving Reckless by Bryan Adams". Vancouver Courier.
  16. Bierly, Mandy (January 2, 2009). "Christopher Atkins: PopWatch 'Teen Idol' Q&A (Part 4 of 4)". EW.com.
  17. McNamara, Mary (January 6, 2009). "Idol hopes underlie these 'Confessions'" via The Boston Globe.
  18. "Actor Christopher Atkins, wife Lyn Barron, daughter Brittney Bomann and son Grant Bomann". Ron Galella archive. 2012. Retrieved July 31, 2015.
  19. "Christopher Atkins". nndb.com. Retrieved July 31, 2015.
  20. Rizzo, Monica (February 16, 2009). "Christopher Atkins second act". People. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
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