“I’ll need to get to airports even earlier to get through security,” he joked of the operation.

Blue Lagoon star reveals recent surgery: ‘Got more metal in me’

"I'll need to get to airports even earlier to get through security," he joked of the operation.

By Lauren Huff

Lauren Huff

Lauren Huff is an award-winning journalist and staff writer at ** with over 12 years of experience covering all facets of the entertainment industry.

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January 8, 2026 8:20 p.m. ET

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Christopher Atkins in 'The Blue Lagoon'. Credit:

Columbia Pictures/ Everett

*The Blue Lagoon* star Christopher Atkins is sharing a health update with fans after recently undergoing surgery.

"Surgery went well," Atkins, 64, captioned a picture on Instagram of himself lying on a couch flashing a thumbs up. "Got more metal in me. I'll need to get to airports even earlier to get through security! Lol. Thanks for all your well wishes! Love you!"

In the photo, Atkins appeared to have some sort of bandage and sling situation covering his right arm. While he didn't provide further details on his condition in the post, he offered some clues in the replies.

When a concerned fan commented asking if anyone knew what happened, Atkins replied, "Thousands of baseballs, footballs, and casting for fish! Sports as a kid catching up with me."

He also shed further light on his various operations over the years in a different reply on the post, and also insinuated he has no plans to slow down post-surgery. "Hahahaha yeah I had the shoulder last year, 3 knee, artificial disc and fusion in my back and now a metal elbow," he said. "Happy new year and may it be magic full of health and prosperous!! I'm gonna get a movie made."

Christopher Atkins on Instagram.

Christopher Atkins/Instagram

During an episode of the *Behind the Velvet Rope* podcast in November 2023, Atkins shared that while he's still landing film and television roles, he longs to return to the big screen in another box office hit like 1980's *The Blue Lagoon*. He added, "Because I consider myself an actor, that's what I've done for 43 years, that’s my business, this is what I do, I still, to this day, dream of being in an 'A' movie again.”

At the time, he stated that he also had his sights set on more than just his acting career. He also explained that there are “two boxes that I still have to tick in this business.”

Christopher Atkins was 'jealous' of 'Blue Lagoon' costar Brooke Shields' success

Brooke Shields says she isn't ready to take 'Blue Lagoon' director's call

“I wanna make my own picture. Now I've done everybody else's movie, from tiny little thing to major motion pictures, and I'm in the business and I want my turn,” he said. “And so I have some projects that I'm working on now. And then one just came up and the other thing is I want [to] direct one.”

In addition to *The Blue Lagoon*, Atkins is known for roles in *The Pirate Movie* and *A Night in Heaven*. He also played Peter Richards on the TV series *Dallas*. Most recently, Atkins starred in the 2025 action-thriller *Out for Vengeance *as Detective John Grant.

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