Christopher Atkins says his drinking cost him the chance to play the lead role in the 1984 film Footloose, which eventually went to Kevin Bacon and became one of his breakout hits. “I was a mess back then,” said the 65-year-old actor, who has now been sober for nearly 40 years.
Christopher Atkins opened up about the alcohol-fueled mistake that cost him Footloose
During a recent appearance at the Fanboy Expo Knoxville in Tennessee, Atkins shared that the filmmakers behind Footloose wanted to meet with him before finalizing the cast, but he was unable to follow through, reports People.
“I was a mess back then. I was partying it up way too much, and they called me in. 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.’ And I went in, and 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,” the actor revealed, adding, “And I’m almost 40 years sober, so there you go.”
The actor recalled how his breakout role in The Blue Lagoon at just 18 years old unexpectedly changed the course of his life and career. Atkins said that acting was never part of his plans; he had always dreamed of playing baseball instead. However, he ended up modeling for Ford Models in New York City and auditioning for The Blue Lagoon.
Atkins recalled going through multiple rounds of auditions before finally hearing back months later. The filmmakers eventually asked him to bring a “blond curly wig” to the final audition. He ultimately landed the life-changing role opposite teen superstar Brooke Shields. The actor said he had no acting experience when he arrived in Fiji to film The Blue Lagoon. He recalled how the movie’s success changed his life and brought sudden fame.
Since then, the former teen heartthrob has appeared in more than 80 films and television projects. He married Australian model Lyn Barron in 1985, and they later divorced. The couple has two children, Grant and Brittney, as per Now To Love.
TELL US – DO YOU THINK CHRISTOPHER ATKINS COULD HAVE CHANGED THE COURSE OF FOOTLOOSE?
Originally reported by Meenakshi Sengupta on Reality Tea
