Actor Christopher Atkins attributes his nearly four-decade-long sobriety to becoming a father and now finds continued motivation in his grandchildren.
Atkins, who gained fame for his role opposite Brooke Shields in the 1980 film "The Blue Lagoon," shared his personal turning point in an exclusive interview. "I guess the turning point for me was having children, so I wanted to be a dad more than I wanted to be a drunk," he told Fox News Digital.
He is approaching 40 years of sobriety, a milestone he attributes to his family. "So, I did that, cleaned up, coming up to 40 years, so still very active and wouldn't change it for a minute," Atkins said.
The actor explained that his commitment to sobriety evolved as his family grew. He noted that even after his children moved out and he went through a divorce, the thought of starting to drink again was quickly dismissed when his grandchildren arrived. "No, they had grandkids, so now I don't want my grandkids ever seeing their grandpa drunk, you know, so no," he stated.
Atkins has previously discussed how his struggles with alcohol impacted his career, including a missed opportunity for a role in the 1984 film "Footloose." He shared at an earlier event that he was considered for the lead role but was drinking heavily during the meeting with filmmakers, which he believes cost him the part.
Before finding fame in "The Blue Lagoon," Atkins did not initially aspire to an acting career, having entered the entertainment industry through modeling. The overwhelming attention that followed the film's success was a significant adjustment. "There wasn't a place on the planet I could go where I didn't get recognized and people stopped me," he recalled.
Now, Atkins has relocated from California to Connecticut, seeking a quieter lifestyle closer to his children, who live in North Carolina. He enjoys outdoor activities such as fishing, hiking, and woodworking, even developing an interest in creating pieces with wood and epoxy.
Despite physical challenges, including recent shoulder and elbow replacement surgeries, Atkins plans to hike a section of the Appalachian Trail next year. "I think staying physical and staying active is really important to keeping more metal out of your body," he said.