In the early 1980s, the most beautiful couple in the world could have been Christopher Atkins and Cindy Gibb.
The “Blue Lagoon” heartthrob dated the Ford model — a Staples student — for 4 years. They were a paparazzi’s dream.
Cindy Gibb and Christopher Atkins, back in the day.
After shedding his Lagoon loincloth, Christopher Atkins lost his life savings to an embezzling manager, had an alcohol-related breakdown, and is finally back acting in movies and TV shows (including former “Lagoon” co-star Brooke Shields’ short-lived “Suddenly Susan”).
Cindy Gibb led a smoother life.
She spent 2 years on the soap opera “Search for Tomorrow,” then had a lead in the hit series “Fame.”
She starred opposite Rob Lowe and Patrick Swayze in “Youngblood,” and worked with Oliver Stone, Burt Reynolds, Jean-Claude Van Damme and Robert Guillaume. She played Karen Carpenter in the biopic of the anorexic singer’s life.
She has worked as an actress, dancer and singer for 30 years. Her credits include 13 features, 3 network series, 24 TV movies, countless TV pilots, commercials, voiceovers and print work.
Cynthia Gibb today
Her work demanded she be in California. This fall, however, her shooting schedule has brought her back East. Cindy — now known as Cynthia Gibb — has been living in Westport.
She loves it.
Her children are in elementary school here — gaining a far better education, she says. The weather is spectacular. And she’s developed a master class, offering singers, actors and public speakers instruction in vocal technique, along with performance coaching and career management advice.
She looks forward to working with aspiring talent in the area.
Her return to her hometown — and the recent death of Patrick Swayze — has caused her to reflect on where she’s been, where she is now, and what lies ahead.
“I am aware of how abunding the blessings have been in my life — not the least of which has been to chase my dreams and makek them realities,” she says.
“My children and my career both fall into this category. The incredible people, places and experiences that my work and family have afforded me are too many to list. Suffice it to say that they have colored who I am today, for which I am so grateful.”
(For more information, click on www.cynthiagibb.me).