Former ’80s Heartthrob Reveals the Career Mistake That Changed Everything

A former ’80s heartthrob recently opened up about losing an iconic movie role that ultimately went to Kevin Bacon. The Blue Lagoon star Christopher Atkins said he was slated to play Ren McCormack in Footloose, and he didn’t even have to audition for it. However, alcohol cost him the opportunity. Now, nearly 40 years sober, Atkins is looking back on that time with remarkable honesty.

As People shared, Atkins told fans what happened during an appearance at the Knoxville, Tennessee Fanboy Expo. He admitted, “I was a mess back then.”

He explained that he had essentially been cast as Ren McCormack for the 1984 movie, and the filmmakers wanted to meet with him before making it official.

Unfortunately, Atkins recalled, when he was called in, he initially resisted. “I said … ‘I can’t go in right now. I’ve been drinking and carrying on.’ And they said, ‘No, they need to see you.'”

Atkins went to the meeting, but it did not go well. “I just blew that audition … I mean, it wasn’t even an audition — I had the part, but I was so messed up that they said, ‘Yeah, we’re going to have to pass on this guy.'”

Looking back now, Atkins says that his early fame from The Blue Lagoon, which came at a young age, became overwhelming. Heavy partying soon followed. Today, he’s been sober for nearly four decades.

The actor was just 18 when he starred in The Blue Lagoon with a 14-year-old Brooke Shields. A few projects later, Atkins landed a role on Dallas, playing Peter Richards for 27 episodes.

Starring in Footloose, which Bacon is still remembered fondly for, could have changed the trajectory of Atkins’ career.

Luckily, Atkins made changes in his life after losing the Footloose role. He said at the recent event, “I’m almost 40 years sober, so there you go.”

Atkins also admitted that when he was cast in The Blue Lagoon, he was completely new to acting. “I’d never done anything before. Never wanted to be an actor — only wanted to play baseball. That was my dream,” he explained.

He started modeling, and that led to the opportunity to do The Blue Lagoon. His “whole life changed” after that movie, Atkins admits. “We were young, and so you’re constantly getting this notoriety … All of a sudden you’re nothing and then you’re on every single grocery store magazine,” he added.

While missing out on Footloose remains one of the biggest “what ifs” of his career, Atkins now says he’s grateful for the life he rebuilt after getting sober.