Christopher Reeve's Main TV Roles Show Character(s) Smallville Dr. Virgil … The Carol Burnett Show Christopher… Carol & Company Rex Paula Zahn Now Christopher…

Main Movie Roles 1995 - Above Suspicion 1994 - Speechless 1993 - The Remains of the Day 1992 - Noises Off... 1988 - Switching Channels 1987 - Superman IV: The Quest for Peace 1984 - The Bostonians 1983 - Superman III 1982 - Deathtrap 1980 - Superman II 1980 - Somewhere in Time 1978 - Gray Lady Down 1978 - Superman

BIOGRAPHY:

Christopher Reeve was born September 25, 1952, in New York City. At age four, his parents (journalist Barbara Johnson (XI) and writer/professor Franklin F.D. Reeve) divorced. His mother moved sons Christopher and Benjamin to Princeton, New Jersey, and married an investment banker a few years later. After graduating from high school, Reeve studied at Cornell University, while at the same time working as a professional actor. In his final year of Cornell, he was one of two students selected (Robin Williams (I) was the other) to study at New York's famous Juilliard School of Performing Arts, under the renowned John Houseman (I). Although Christopher is best known for his role as Superman (1978), a role which he played with both charisma and grace, his acting career spans a much larger ground. Paralyzed after a horse riding accident, he died suddenly at age 52, after several years of living and working with his severe disability.


TRIVIA:

• Was only 24 years old when he was cast by 'Richard Donner' (qv) in _Superman (1978)_ (qv), making him the youngest actor ever to play the part of Superman.
• Was roommate with 'Robin Williams (I)' (qv) at Juilliard. They remained close friends for the remainder of his life. Williams helped pay his medical bills during his final years and dedicated his 'Cecil B. DeMille' (qv) lifetime achievement award to Reeve.
• After the critical and box-office failure of _Superman III (1983)_ (qv), he was reluctant to do a fourth Superman film, especially if it was going to be treated as a farce. He eventually agreed to do it when the producers promised him story input and that they would finance a longtime pet project of his, the gritty crime drama _Street Smart (1987)_ (qv), in which he played an amoral reporter.
• Said that after he was paralyzed, it was his wife's support that kept him from choosing death over living on a respirator.
• Son of 'F.D. Reeve' (qv).
• Was slated to direct a fifth Superman film featuring a new actor in the lead role if the fourth film was successful. Since the fourth film did poorly at the box office, the fifth film never materialized.
• Was offered 'Richard Gere' (qv)'s role in _Pretty Woman (1990)_ (qv). When he went in to do a reading, he was not given actress 'Julia Roberts (I)' (qv) to read with, but the casting director, giving a half hearted effort at best. Reeve felt this was extremely unprofessional and chose not to do the film.
• 'Hal Ketchum' (qv)'s "Hang in There, Superman" was written about him.