Christopher Reeve

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ChrisReeve Last Updated: 8/19/25
Real Name: Christopher d'Olier Reeve
Born: September 25, 1952
Died: October 10, 2004 (aged 52)
Height: 6' 3"

Grade: D+
Actor/Movie Star: 80%-20%
Prime Years: 1978, 1980, 1985, and 1987
Most Famous Film: Superman (1978)
Most Infamous Film: Superman III (1983)
Masterpiece: None
Outstanding: Superman (1978) and Somewhere in Time (1980)
Honorable: Superman II (1980), The Aviator (1985), and Street Smart (1987)

Opinion: Tall, big, and conventionally handsome, Christopher Reeve will always be Superman. Typecast or not, it's a fact that he couldn't escape from. Was he a strong overall actor? That I have to say no, being the main reason why he didn't do many films. The biggest issue is his wooden personality. It's quite apparent in Deathtrap, The Bostonians, and, the worst of them all, Switching Channels. However, I was pleased to see him breaking away from it to be more flexible in Somewhere in Time and The Aviator because of the lowered expectations. Otherwise, he tended to stiffen up which may be a cerebral issue. It's too bad about what happened to Christopher Reeve after the horseriding accident that led to his full body paralysis from head down and then premature death nine years later.

Confirmed: Of French heritage, born in New York City to a very wealthy family. Was nicknamed "Tophy" or "Toph." Great-grandfather was CEO of the Prudential Insurance Company. Father was a poet with a bachelor's from Princeton University and a master's and a Ph.D. in Russian from Columbia University, was also an athlete, and had done some acting in plays. Mother was a housewife with no college degree and became a competitive rower later in life. They divorced when Christopher Reeve was 3, and he moved with his mother and little brother to Princeton, NJ. Both parents remarried as well.

Learned how to sail at age 7 and raced competitively. Took piano lessons, making it a lifelong hobby. Volunteered to do a play at age 9 and therefore caught the acting bug. Kept at it throughout his childhood. One of the fellow actors was John Lithgow whose father ran McCarter Theatre. Learned to play the guitar at 13 and played in a band to make money in school dances and parties. Enjoyed playing hockey, baseball, soccer, tennis, scuba diving, skiing, cycling, and gliding. Named Harry Houdini and Charles Lindbergh as his heroes. Was easily allergic and had lifelong skin/hair issues.

Starting at age 15, received formal theatrical training every summer such as Williamstown Summer Theatre and Harvard Summer School Repertory Theater Company. Excelled academically but wasn't good in mathematics. Graduated from Cornell University with B.A. in English and music theory in 1974. During his senior year, transfered to Juilliard School after becoming convinced that acting was what he wanted to do. Did a lot of plays, especially those written by Shakespeare, while in school and refused to do movies until after graduation. Had to audition for one of the two spots in the Advanced Program at Juilliard School and was accepted along with Robin Williams.

In 1974, was hired by CBS to do a soap opera show called Love of Life and did a bit of TV work here and there to make ends meet while in school but dropped out of Juilliard anyway. Had first movie role in Gray Lady Down. Soon after, was selected to play Superman, and the film became a major, major hit, resulting in three sequels. Did all of the stunts himself. One of the positives was meeting terminally ill children as Superman for their last wish.

Right after Superman, appeared in the most underrated, but commercially unsuccessful, movie of his career: Somewhere in Time that made the Grand Hotel on Michigan's Mackinac Island very popular. Continued to perform in plays between films. Had become a licensed pilot which made it a coincidence for The Aviator that allowed him to do a lot of flying himself to save money. Flew solo across the Atlantic Ocean. Acted opposite then-unknown Morgan Freeman who ended up receiving his first Oscar nomination in Street Smart. Did Switching Channels which proved to be the biggest mistake, ruining his career for good, and was thus relegated to a lot of low-budget fares.

Decided to be a competitive rider in 1985 despite being allergic to horses (had to take antihistamines to counteract it) which went away naturally over time. Then, dedicated himself to the sport for a decade. At age 42, was in a horseriding competition in Virginia on May 27, 1995, and got thrown head first, causing his neck and first and second vertebrae (C1-C2) to break, after his horse suddenly stopped prior to jumping over a fence. Didn't suffer from brain damage because the ambulance had reached in time to help him breathe.

Was fluent in French and not religious. Preferred to be independent and didn't believe in marriage for decades. Rejected doing action movies despite the Superman franchise in favor of serious drama films with complex characters. Directed a few movies after the horseriding accident. Was an asshole before being humbled for good.

Rumors: Was gay.