Login
1961 births › 20th-century American male actors › 21st-century American male actors

Christopher Atkins

Cite Print Download PDF View history
Encyclopedia article
account_circle Created by Unknown
history Last edited

Christopher Atkins Bomann[1] (born February 21, 1961)[2] is an American actor and businessman. He starred in the 1980 film The Blue Lagoon and played Peter Richards on Dallas (1983–1984).

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] 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.[4][5][10][11] While Blue Lagoon was controversial due to its nude scenes and sexual content,[12] it nevertheless became a "pop culture phenomenon".[13] Although Atkins was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year in a Motion Picture – Male for The Blue Lagoon,[14] critical responses to his performance were negative. A TV Guide reviewer wrote that "Atkins looks as if he would be more at home on a surfboard,"[15] and Gary Arnold wrote in The Washington Post that Atkins's performance "evoke[s] modeling sessions and beach-party movies."[16]

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.[17] For one season (1983–1984), Atkins had a recurring role as swimming instructor 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.[18][19] Atkins was ranked no. 76 on VH1's list of 100 Greatest Teen Stars.[2]

Atkins became a luxury pool builder[18] and co-developed the Christopher Atkins Strike Jacket E.F.L. (Extreme Fishing Lure), "a rubbery slipcovering for traditional baits."[3]

In 2023, Atkins appeared in Ladies of the '80s: A Divas Christmas, where he reunited onscreen with his Dallas costar, Linda Gray.

In July 2025, Atkins once again graced the cover of Playgirl. A new Greg Gorman photoshoot was conducted for the issue.[20]

Personal life

Atkins married Lyn Barron Weber of Sydney, Australia, on May 25, 1985. They have two children: son Grant Bomann (b. 1985) and daughter Brittney Bomann (b. 1987).[21][22] They divorced in 2007.[23]

In a 2009 interview, Atkins acknowledged his past struggle with alcoholism and stated that he had been sober for 22 years.[23]

Filmography

Film and television

References

  1. ↑ "Atkins, Christopher 1961– | Encyclopedia.com". www.encyclopedia.com.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Happy Birthday To Rye's Christopher Atkins". Rye Daily Voice. February 21, 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Tauber, Michelle (October 9, 2000). "From the Depths". People.com.
  4. 1 2 3 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. 1 2 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. July 4, 1980. Retrieved January 7, 2018.
  10. ↑ "Christopher Atkins: Poster Child for Gay Rights Movement?". Advocate.com. January 9, 2009. Retrieved August 23, 2018.
  11. 1 2 "Chris Atkins". HollywoodShow.com. Archived from the original on August 23, 2018. 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 Hollywood.
  15. ↑ "The Blue Lagoon Reviews". TV Guide. Red Ventures. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
  16. ↑ Arnold, Gary. "Depth Defying". The Washington Post. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
  17. ↑ Fleming, Andrew (November 27, 2014). "Reliving Reckless by Bryan Adams". Vancouver Courier.
  18. 1 2 Bierly, Mandy (January 2, 2009). "Christopher Atkins: PopWatch 'Teen Idol' Q&A (Part 4 of 4)". EW.com.
  19. ↑ McNamara, Mary (January 6, 2009). "Idol hopes underlie these 'Confessions'". The Boston Globe.
  20. ↑ Norcen, Luca (July 10, 2025). "Christopher Atkins: The Blue Lagoon Turns 45". Playgirl. Retrieved July 10, 2025.
  21. ↑ "Actor Christopher Atkins, wife Lyn Barron, daughter Brittney Bomann and son Grant Bomann". Ron Galella archive. 2012. Retrieved July 31, 2015.
  22. ↑ "Christopher Atkins". nndb.com. Retrieved July 31, 2015.
  23. 1 2 Rizzo, Monica (February 16, 2009). "Christopher Atkins second act". People. Retrieved August 23, 2018.