All Actors Who Played Superman, Ranked From Already Forgotten to Iconic
We already know who the new Superman will be, but do you remember all the actors who have played the superhero before David Corenswet?
Over the years, many actors have donned the red and blue suit, each bringing their own unique interpretation to the role.
Now that it's been revealed that David Corenswet is the new Clark Kent, it's important to pay tribute to the long line of other Supermen.
10. John Haymes Newton, 1988-1989
The series Superboy, which aired from 1988 to 1992, focused on the adventures of young Clark Kent. John Hames Newton originally starred in the show's first season, but did not reprise the role after the second season.
The reason for the actor's unexpected departure was that Newton tried to renegotiate his contract after the first season, which never happened. In addition, it was reported at the time that the show crew was unhappy with his performance.
9. Gerard Christopher, 1989-1992
Christopher was offered the role after Newton had exited Superboy. He played Superman for the remaining three seasons, from 1989 to 1992.
During his time on the show, Christopher reinvented the character and his portrayal was well received by fans.
8. Dean Cain, 1993-1997
Dean Cain starred as Superman in the TV series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, which aired from 1993 to 1997.
This iteration of the character focused on the romantic relationship between Clark Kent and Lois Lane. Cain emphasized the superhero's human side and showed how he balanced his personal life with heroic duties.
7. Brandon Routh, 2006, 2019
In 2006, Superman Returns was released. Routh's performance captured the charm and gravitas of Superman's portrayal, while bringing his own interpretation to the role.
Rooth returned to the character in the crossover Crisis on Infinite Earths, playing an older, more experienced Superman from an alternate universe. He also made an appearance as Clark Kent in Batwoman.
6. George Reeves, 1951-1958
George Reeves played Superman in 1951, starring in Superman and the Mole-Men and then reprising the role in the TV series Adventures of Superman which aired from 1952 to 1958.
Reeves became the favorite Superman of millions of viewers and became one of the most iconic actors to play the superhero.
5. Kirk Alyn, 1948-1950
In 1948, the first film adaptation of the Superman comics was released – the black and white series Superman, and later Atom Man vs. Superman aired.
Alyn portrayed the character in a total of 30 episodes of two series. It was Alyn's image that set the fundament for future actors to play the most popular superhero.
4. Tom Welling, 2001-2011, 2019
Tom Welling starred as Clark Kent in the television series Smallville, which ran for impressive ten seasons from 2001 to 2011.
The series chronicled Clark's early years before he fully embraced the Superman persona. Tom Welling later reprised the role for a cameo in the crossover Crisis on Infinite Earths.
3. Tyler Hoechlin, 2016-…
Tyler Hoechlin first appeared as Superman in the 2016 series Supergirl. Since then, Hoechlin has appeared in many Arrowverse crossovers and has become the star of the ongoing series Superman & Lois, which focuses on Clark and Lois' family life.
2. Henry Cavill, 2013
Cavill played the legendary role of Superman in 2013's Man of Steel, 2016's Batman v Superman, and then again in 2017's Justice League.
Cavill's version of Superman turned out to be rather dark, but this attracted a huge number of viewers, making Henry one of the most popular versions of Superman of all time.
1. Christopher Reeve
Reeve's portrayal of both Superman and his alter ego, Clark Kent, is still considered the best any actor has ever given the character.
Reeve starred in four Superman movies that became DC classics. In 1995, the actor fell from a horse and became paralyzed, but did not leave public activity and opened a center for teaching paralyzed people the skills of independent existence.
Christopher Reeve died of a heart attack in 2004.