When “The Blue Lagoon” first came to theaters in 1980, it became an instant yet controversial classic. Starring a 14-year-old Brooke Shields and the up-and-coming Christopher Atkins, this survival romance meets coming-of-age tale tells the story of two shipwrecked kids growing up together on a tropical island. The film was controversial because of its mature themes with young teens, but also cemented both actors as A-listers and household names for years to come. Now, 46 years later, you might be wondering…what came of those young stars, and where are they today?
What happened to Brooke Shields?
Before she made a name for herself as an actor in Hollywood, Brooke Shields was already a known name in fashion. After the movie exploded in popularity, Shields continued to flourish in a decades-long career that spanned fashion, film, TV, Broadway, and writing.
In 2026, at 61 years old, she’s just as busy. She recently starred in the mystery series “You’re Killing Me” on Acorn TV, playing novelist and amateur sleuth Allie Chandler. She also played Lana in Netflix’s “Mother of the Bride” and joined the cast in Ryan Murphy’s “All Fair.” The actor has also become a vocal advocate for women in midlife, discussing taboo topics like menopause, aging, and confidence in interviews as well as through a variety of her entrepreneurial ventures. One of them is the haircare brand Commence, specifically designed for women in midlife.
Beyond her acting and business ventures, Shields is a proud mother to her daughters, Rowan and Grier, whom she shares with her longtime husband, Chris Henchy. On social media, she gives fans glimpses into her life and her shockingly youthful appearance—even almost half a century later, she’s just as stunning.
What happened to Christopher Atkins?
“The Blue Lagoon” was this actor’s debut, and a spectacular one at that. He was just 18 years old when he earned a Golden Globe nomination for portraying Richard Lestrange, and that soon snowballed into him becoming one of the most recognizable faces of the 80s. Following the success of the movie, Atkins appeared in a variety of TV shows and movies, including “Dallas,” “Murder, She Wrote,” and “The Pirate Movie.” Fun fact: he also posed nude in Playgirl!
Compared to Brooke Shields, he mostly stepped away from the mainstream spotlight, but he’s still had an active role attending fan conventions, pursuing roles behind the camera, and taking on acting roles. Now, at 65 years old, he still enjoys engaging with fans and often shares updates of his life, both personal and professional, online.
He enjoys spending his free time in the outdoors and has documented treks all over, from the snowy mountains of Switzerland to Bali and Australia. In recent interviews, he’s discussed the unique experience of being thrust into overnight stardom at such a young age and the lasting impact of “The Blue Lagoon.”
“The Blue Lagoon” still ignites conversations and controversy
Over four decades after it was released, this film still remains one of Hollywood’s most memorable and controversial coming-of-age movies in a class of its own. Its stars have spoken openly about their experiences on and off set, with Shields in particular discussing the challenges of growing up so young in the public eye and being treated like a sex symbol when she was still going through her childhood. While it’s clear that these two have moved on from this infamous chapter in their lives, they still remain an integral part of cinema history, connected to one of the film industry’s most unforgettable cult classics of all time.
