CHRISTOPHER ATKINS - I'm Still a DREAMER

The Dallas and Blue Lagoon star shares his life today with Closer

- William Keck

Christopher Atkins was just 18 when he co-starred with Brooke Shields in The Blue Lagoon, a teenage coming-of-age movie, in 1980. “That turned out to be more than a movie. It was a life experience for me,” Christopher tells Closer. “We all lived in tents on the island, except they built an actual structure for Brooke!” The hit film opened up a lot of doors for the actor, who received a Golden Globe nomination for his role. Before long, he was drinking beers with Paul Newman, taming lions and kissing Linda Gray on Dallas.

Christopher, 63, relishes his quieter life today. In between fishing expeditions and whittling, this proud grandpa is working on a screenplay that has a role in it he’d like to play. “People think I’m crazy for still being a dreamer,” he says. “I say, ‘Well, yes I am.’ I still have a few boxes to check off.”

What did you want to be as a kid?

I had three knee operations in high school that took me out of baseball, which was my dream. It destroyed me. I never in a million years thought I’d go into show business. But destiny’s got a plan for you, and that’s just the way it is.

You beat out 4,000 other hopefuls to win the role in The Blue Lagoon. Why do you think they chose you?

I wish I could tell you. I was lean and muscled out. And I know the director was looking for a “Greek Adonis,” which is why they curled my hair.

Was there ever talk of a sequel?