5 Things You Didn’t Know About Christopher Reeve
Best known for playing the title role in 1978’s Superman and its sequels, Christopher Reeve was one of the most memorable and beloved actors of his era — and one we lost far too soon.
After a horse-riding accident in 1995, Reeve became a quadriplegic. Following his injury, he and his family became advocates for spinal cord research and disability rights, creating the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. Reeve also received cutting-edge treatment focused on allowing him to regain his ability to move, with some success.
Sadly, Reeve passed away on Oct. 10, 2004, but he left behind an impressive legacy as well as three children. A new documentary about his life, Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story, has shed light on his life story — one with many interesting twists and turns.
1. He Started Out in Theater
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Before becoming a movie star, Reeve, like many other actors, started out in the theater. He performed in Broadway shows Fifth of July, The Marriage of Figaro and A Matter of Gravity, as well as several off-Broadway shows. He retained a love of Broadway and was often seen watching plays, frequently with his close friend Robin Williams.
2. He Turned Down Some Impressive Roles
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After the success of Superman, Reeve was offered many lead roles in action films. However, he was very picky and reluctant to star in films that would get him typecast as a muscle-bound hero. He reportedly turned down lead roles in American Gigolo, Splash, Fatal Attraction, Body Heat, Romancing the Stone, Lethal Weapon and more.
3. He Was an Environmental Activist & Supported Many Causes
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Reeve was always passionate about saving the environment, a true Superman move. He served as a board member for the Charles Lindbergh Fund, promoting environmentally safe technologies, and also supported causes such as Amnesty International, the Natural Resources Defense Council and People for the American Way. In 1989, he was an early member of the Creative Coalition, an organization that uses the arts and entertainment community to lobby for public good.
4. He Was a Licensed Pilot
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He was a pilot with environmental organization the Environmental Air Force and often gave government officials and journalists air tours over areas that had environmental damage. He also flew solo across the Atlantic twice and would race his sailplane for fun.
5. He Had Alopecia
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Unfortunately, Reeve suffered from some health problems earlier in life, too, including asthma and allergies throughout childhood. At 16 years old, he was diagnosed with alopecia areata, a condition that causes patches of hair to fall out. This eventually led him to wear a wig for the third and fourth Superman movies. After his accident, he kept his head shaved.
What other interesting facts have you learned about Reeve? Share them in the comments!
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