Monday, February 22, 2021

Blast from the Past: Christopher Daniel Barnes

Starman

'Author of really disturbing short stories...'


Some of you may have been first introduced to actor Christopher Daniel Barnes in the 1986 short-lived series Starman.  In the series, Christopher, (CB) played the son of an alien (Robert Hays) who returns to earth in search of his wife.  I don't remember Starman, but I do remember crushing over CB after seeing him in the sit-com Day By Day


I don't really remember much about the show, except it co-starred Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Courtney Thorne-Smith.  I do however vividly remembering CB, and following him in teen magazines at the time.  He was adorable, and also a really good actor. Looking back, he reminds me a bit of Charlie McDermott (The Middle) especially when he had longer hair.  


If you don't remember CB from Day By Day, you may remember his turn as Greg in The Brady Bunch Movie and it's sequel.   Christopher also appeared on 7th Heaven, Empty Nest, Beverly Hills 90210, Blossom and  Malcolm and EddieGolden Girls fans also might remember him from his turn as Kevin, the football player that Dorthy refuses to pass in the literature class she's teaching.


Over the past decade or so, the former teen idol has mostly been working behind the scenes, doing voice work and also writing adult short stories.  Voice work isn't new for Christopher, some of you might remember he voiced the original Eric in Disney's The Little Mermaid. (1989)


Day by Day (1988/89)



Prince Eric

The Brady Bunch Movie (1995)

Unfortunately, CB didn't do any nude scenes.  He also didn't seem to do many shirtless scenes.  Although there may be more out there, the only one I could find was from 1996's A Very Brady Sequel. The film takes the Brady's back to Hawaii and puts Greg back on the surf board.  There's also a another shirtless scene while he and Marcia are lusting after one another.  Christopher did post a recently shirtless shot on his Instagram (see below) celebrating his 48th birthday last year. 


Nod to the classic Hawaii trip

Below: A recent shot of Christopher with Starman co-star Robert Hayes at a fan autograph signing event.  Although there's some grey in the beard, that smile and those eyes look exactly as I remember.


'I just turned 48 and lost 24 pounds; but yikes do I need a tan!!!'

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