Actors who played Superman in live-action films and television series
Alter ego: Kal-El (Kryptoan name) / Clark Kent (Earth adapted name)
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Created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster in DC Comics' Action Comics #1 (April 1938)
Details coming soon.
Created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster in DC Comics' Action Comics #1 (April 1938)
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- Starting his show business career as a chorus boy on Broadway and an entertainer in vaudeville, Kirk Alyn played bit parts and minor supporting roles in several low-budget films before getting his big break playing the title role in the serial Superman (1948). He wasn't able to sustain a film career after the serial ended, however, and after small parts in a few movies, retired to Arizona.Films:
1. Superman (1948)
2. Atom Man vs. Superman (1950) - Actor
- Director
- Additional Crew
George Reeves was born George Keefer Brewer in Woolstock, Iowa, to Helen Roberta (Lescher) and Donald C. Brewer. He was of German, English, and Scottish descent. Following his parents' divorce and his mother's remarriage to Frank J. Bessolo, Reeves was raised in Pasadena, California, and educated at Pasadena Junior College.
He was a skilled amateur boxer and musician. He interned as an actor at the famed Pasadena Playhouse, performed in dozens of plays, and was discovered there by casting director Maxwell Arnow. He was cast as Stuart Tarleton in Gone with the Wind (1939). While shooting the film, he appeared in another play at the Pasadena Playhouse and was seen there and signed by Warner Bros. studios. Over the next ten years he was contracted to Warners, Fox and Paramount.
He achieved near-stardom as the male lead in So Proudly We Hail! (1943), but war service interrupted his career, and after he returned it never regained the same level. While in the Army Air Corps he appeared on Broadway in "Winged Victory," then made training films. Career difficulties after the war led him to move to New York for live television. It was television where he achieved the kind of fame that had eluded him in films, as he was cast in the lead of the now-iconic Adventures of Superman (1952). He got a few film roles in the early 1950s, but he was mostly typecast as Superman, and other acting jobs soon dried up. His career had slid to the point where he was considering an attempt at exhibition wrestling when he committed suicide by shooting himself.
Controversy still surrounds his death, due mainly to the fact of his longtime affair with Toni Mannix (aka Toni Mannix), the wife of MGM executive E.J. Mannix. Many of Reeves' friends and colleagues didn't believe that he had committed suicide but that his death was related to the Mannix situation. However, no credible evidence has ever been produced to support that contention.Films:
Superman and the Mole Man (1951)
Stamp Day for Superman (1954) (short)
The Flash (2023) (cameo, archive footage)
Television series:
Adventures of Superman (1952-1958)- John Rockwell was born on 15 February 1938 in the USA. He is an actor, known for The Adventures of Superboy (1961), Too Soon to Love (1960) and Another Chance (1988).Television series:
The Adventures of Superboy (1961) (pilot) as Superboy - Lee Quigley was born on 13 August 1976 in Lambeth, London, England, UK. He was an actor, known for Superman (1978). He died on 10 March 1991 in Eastbourne, England, UK.Film:
Superman (1978) as Baby Kal-El - Aaron Smolinski was born on 30 May 1974 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He is an actor, known for Superman (1978), Man of Steel (2013) and Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut (2006).Film:
Superman (1978) as toddler Clark Kent - Actor
- Writer
- Producer
Jeff East was born on 27 October 1957 in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. He is an actor and writer, known for Superman (1978), Pumpkinhead (1988) and Tom Sawyer (1973). He has been married to Pascale Lambert East since 23 October 2015. He was previously married to Lori East.Film:
Superman (1978) as teenage Clark Kent- Actor
- Producer
- Additional Crew
Christopher D'Olier Reeve was born September 25, 1952, in New York City, to journalist Barbara Johnson (née Barbara Pitney Lamb) and writer/professor F.D. Reeve (Franklin D'Olier Reeve). He came from an upper-class family; his paternal grandfather was CEO of Prudential Financial, and one of his maternal great-grandfathers was Supreme Court Associate Justice Mahlon Pitney.
When Reeve was four, his parents divorced. His mother moved him and his brother 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 at Cornell, he was one of two students selected (Robin Williams was the other) to study at New York's famous Juilliard School, under the renowned John Houseman. 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.Films:
Superman (1978)
Superman II (1980)
Superman III (1983)
Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987)
Superman II: The Richard Donnor Cut (2006)
The Flash (2023) (cameo, archive footage)- Actor
- Soundtrack
John Newton was born on 29 December 1965 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA. He is an actor, known for Alive (1993), The Christmas Card (2006) and Melrose Place (1992). He has been married to Jennifer Newton since 7 October 2006. They have one child.Television series:
Superboy (1988-1989) as Superboy- Actor
- Writer
- Soundtrack
Gerard Christopher was born on 11 May 1959 in New York City, New York, USA. He is an actor and writer, known for Superboy (1988), Dangerously Close (1986) and General Hospital (1963).Television series:
Superboy (1989-1992) as Superboy- Actor
- Director
The 15th screen Tarzan (if you don't count Gordon Griffith) was to have played a Tarzan impersonator in a projected Mike Henry television show, which never materialized. He had been tested fourteen months earlier when Henry got the part. Prior to Tarzan, Ron had numerous parts in movies and television, including the copilot in South Pacific (1958) and had co-starred in TV's brief series "Malibu Run" (The Aquanauts (1960)). He played the title role in the TV series Tarzan (1966), and in two movies made from that series in 1970. He refused to use a stunt double in his vine-swinging or animal fights and was often injured. It has been noted that Ron's physical appearance and dialogue were much more like those of Edgar Rice Burroughs' character than could be said for any other Tarzan. In addition to occasional parts in TV series and movies, several made in Germany, Ron hosted the "Miss America" pageant on television 1979-81, replacing Bert Parks.Television series:
Superboy (1991) as adult Men of Steel from an alternate reality - 2 episodes- Actor
- Producer
- Writer
Dean Cain was born Dean George Tanaka in Mount Clemens, Michigan, to actress Sharon Thomas Cain and Roger Tanaka. His mother married his adoptive father, director Christopher Cain, when Dean was three. Though he grew up in Malibu and attended Santa Monica High School, his career plans favored professional football over acting. While at Princeton, he completed a history major, dated Brooke Shields for two years, and set a Princeton record for interceptions in a season (12). After signing with the Buffalo Bills, a knee injury ended his pro career before it began. Though he had already played a part in his father's The Stone Boy (1984), he went through the usual route of commercials and tv-parts (notably, Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990) in 1990) before landing his break-through role as Superman/Clark Kent in the series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1993).Television series:
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1993-1997)- Actor
- Producer
- Director
Tom Welling is probably best known for playing Clark Kent on the hit television series Smallville (2001).
He was born Thomas Joseph Welling in Putnam Valley, New York, to Bonnie and Thomas Welling, who is a retired executive for General Motors. He has a younger brother, Mark Welling, who is also an actor, and two older sisters. He is of three quarters German and one quarter British Isles (mostly Irish) descent. Welling graduated from Okemos High School in Okemos, Michigan, when he was eighteen years old. Before that, he spent his freshman year in the Salesianum School in Wilmington, Delaware. He played a lot of varsity soccer in his high school and received "fair" grades on his exams. But even so, Tom did not want to go to college. He wanted to be a construction worker and after graduation worked in a construction service site.
Tom eventually moved on to modeling after spending a period of time working in the construction business. While modeling, he met fellow celebrity and model Ashton Kutcher while they were booked for a project together. The two eventually become good friends. Even though both Ashton and Tom were famous models, Tom decided to be an actor. He had an offer from a guy who worked in the agency he was signed with to be an actor. Tom attended a few casting calls and not too long later, became an actor.
The acting gigs that he received eventually made directors take more notice of him. Tom Welling was asked to play the role of Clark Kent in the hit series Smallville (2001). What many people probably don't know is that Tom turned down the role twice. He said that the reason he turned down the role wasn't because the story wasn't good, but it was because he thought the role was bigger than he was and he didn't want people to think that he wasn't a good enough actor.
Even so, Tom ended up taking the role because he had the feeling that the show was going to be a great hit and he would be a fool not to take it. Tom even said he felt some sort of connection between himself and his character, Clark Kent. Therefore, Tom made himself a household name.
Other than only becoming a face on television, Welling also acts in other movies. The movie with which he is probably most associated is Cheaper by the Dozen (2003), in which he starred with Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt, and its sequel, Cheaper by the Dozen 2 (2005), in which he repeated his prior role. Tom has also starred in a B-grade horror flick, The Fog (2005), together with Lost (2004)'s star, Maggie Grace. Although that movie didn't really achieve box-office success, Tom's acting talents still got noticed by the critics. More recently, he co-starred in the fictional historical drama Parkland (2013) with Zac Efron, whom he befriended.
Tom married Jamie White, one of his closest friends, on July 5, 2002. Tom has said that the person he respects the most is his wife, because she has the greatest heart. According to reports, while working on Smallville, he lived with his wife in Los Angeles, and relocated to Vancouver for filming. Tom and Jamie separated in 2013.Television series:
Smallville (2001-2011) as Clark Kent
Batwoman (2019) as Clark Kent (Earth-167)- Actor
- Producer
Brandon James Routh (pronounced like "south") was born in Des Moines, Iowa, and grew up in nearby Norwalk. He is the son of Catherine (Lear), a teacher, and Ronald Routh, a carpenter. He has English, Scottish, and German ancestry. Brandon attended the University of Iowa and starred in many productions at the Norwalk Theater of Performing Arts. His first professional acting role was in the ABC television series Odd Man Out (1999), and he went on to guest star in the series Gilmore Girls (2000) and Undressed (1999). He came to fame with Superman Returns (2006) and DC's Legends of Tomorrow (2016). In his spare time, Routh enjoys playing soccer and basketball, swimming, biking and reading.Film:
Superman Returns (2006)
Television series:
1. The Flash (2019) as Clark Kent/Superman (Earth-96)
2. Legends of Tomorrow (2019) as Clark Kent/Superman (Earth-96)
3. Batwoman (2019) as Clark Kent/Superman (Earth-96)- Actor
- Additional Crew
Born in a small town in Missouri, Stephan came to Los Angeles, California in January 2005 to work with his manager and prepare for working in Hollywood. He went to his first audition not knowing what to expect; and was called back to meet with Brian Singer for the role of young Clark Kent in Superman Returns. Stephan loved working on the film, it was demanding physically and he got to work with some of the best people in Hollywood.
He has 2 sisters one older and one younger who help keep him grounded. Stephan graduates high school in 2007 and plans to attend college with engineering as a possible major. He loves acting and hopes to continue in this field, but wants to be prepared for tough times. As a matter of fact he actually apprenticed as a plumber in his home town to earn money during the summer. He said it was a pretty "crappy" job at times. Currently he takes classes for acting and enjoys being busy.Film:
Superman Returns (2006) as 15-year-old Clark Kent- Actor
- Additional Crew
- Producer
Henry William Dalgliesh Cavill was born on the Bailiwick of Jersey, a British Crown dependency in the Channel Islands. His mother, Marianne (Dalgliesh), a housewife, was also born on Jersey, and is of Irish, Scottish and English ancestry. Henry's father, Colin Richard Cavill, a stockbroker, is of English origin (born in Chester, England). Henry is the second youngest son, with four brothers. He was privately educated at St. Michael's Preparatory School in Saint Saviour, Jersey before attending Stowe School in Buckinghamshire, England.
His interest in acting started at an early age with school play renditions of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream", and Sonny LaTierri in "Grease". He also starred and directed Shakespeare's "Hamlet" in the BBC documentary "40 Minutes". It was at age 17 when Henry was discovered by casting directors at school who were looking for a young boy to play Albert Mondego in The Count of Monte Cristo (2002). He went on to star in Vendetta (2001), appear in BBC's The Inspector Lynley Mysteries (2001), the television film Goodbye, Mr. Chips (2002), and the television series Midsomer Murders (1997).
When Henry was 20 years old, he gained starring roles in I Capture the Castle (2003), Hellraiser: Hellworld (2005), Red Riding Hood (2006) and Tristan + Isolde (2006). He also had a minor role in the fantasy-adventure epic Stardust (2007) alongside Sienna Miller and Ben Barnes. During 2007-2010, Henry had a leading role on the television series The Tudors (2007) as Charles Brandon, 1st Duke of Suffolk. The series was a success and was nominated for a Golden Globe Award in 2007 and won an Emmy Award in 2008. Entertainment Weekly named him "Most Dashing Duke".
He also starred in Blood Creek (2006) and Woody Allen's comedy film Whatever Works (2009). On January 30, 2011, it was announced that Henry Cavill had been cast as the next Superman in Man of Steel (2013), making him the first non-American actor to play Superman. The movie was directed by Zach Snyder, produced by Christopher Nolan, and scripted by David S. Goyer. On November 7, 2011, Henry starred in Tarsem Singh's fantasy-adventure epic Immortals (2011) alongside Mickey Rourke, Freida Pinto and Luke Evans. On September 7, 2012, Henry starred in the action-thriller Cold Light of Day (2003) alongside Bruce Willis and Sigourney Weaver.
On June 10, 2013, Man of Steel (2013) kicked off its world premiere in New York City followed by London, Bailiwick of Jersey, Sicily, Madrid, Shanghai, Sydney and Tokyo. The movie became the highest-grossing Superman film to date, and the second-highest-grossing reboot of all time behind The Amazing Spider-Man (2012). Glamour magazine ranked him the #1 "Sexiest Man". In August 2014, Henry became the Ambassador for Durrell Wildlife Park and created a website and social media called #CavillConservation to help raise funds and awareness for his love of animals and conservation. On November 3, 2014, it was announced that Cavill, his brother Charlie, and London-based producer Rex Glensy, have formed their own British production company, Promethean Productions.
On August 7, 2015, The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (2015) began its premiere tour with a people's premiere at the famous Somerset House in London, followed by its world premiere in New York City, then Toronto, and Rio de Janeiro. Cavill reprised his role as Superman in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) and Justice League (2017).Films:
1. Man of Steel (2013)
2. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016)
3. Justice League (2017)
4. Zach Snyder's Justice League (2021)
5. Black Adam (2022) (uncredited cameo)
6. The Flash (2023) (uncredited cameo)- Actor
- Camera and Electrical Department
- Editorial Department
Film:
Men of Steel (1978) as 9-year-old Clark Kent- Actor
- Writer
- Producer
Native Texan Dylan Sprayberry, originally from Houston, began his acting career at the tender age of nine. After a move to Los Angeles and several television appearances, Dylan was cast as the Young Clark Kent in Zack Snyder's Man of Steel at the age of 13. Co-starring with Amy Adams, Michael Shannon, Diane Lane, and Kevin Costner, the film earned over $650 million at the box office. He later joined Teen Wolf in the fourth season, quickly becoming a global fan favorite with hysteria continuing to this day. Dylan appears in the revival film, Teen Wolf: The Movie, currently streaming on Paramount+.
Shortly after Teen Wolf, Dylan booked a series regular in the 2018/2019 Hulu series Light as a Feather, in which he portrayed Henry Richmond. This supernatural series was nominated for eight Emmys from 2019 to 2020 and continues to have an active fanbase. His most recent project is the short film "The Boy That Couldn't Feel Pain," directed by Eugen Merher. He plays the antagonist in this simple yet poignant depiction of friendship and manipulation. This film was recently announced as a finalist for the Student Academy Awards.
Dylan stars in the Miramax thriller Sick, penned by the writer's of Scream and directed by John Hyams. Sick premiered this year at the Toronto International Film Festival. This was not his first project in the horror/thriller space. In 2021, Dylan starred in the found-footage style film; Malibu Horror Story, directed by Scott Sloane. This film went on to win Best Horror at the Los Angeles Film Awards, Malibu Film Festival, and New York International Film Awards in 2022. Additionally, it garnered the stamp of approval from horror film purists, winning awards such as "Scariest Film" and "Best Feature" at HorrorFest International and Hollywood Blood Horror Festival.
After years of constantly honing his craft, studying with top coaches, and working with a stellar list of directors, Dylan discovered that acting was not his only passion in the film industry. In February of 2021, Dylan and his writing partner wrote a short, "Flower Boy," which they went on to direct and produce in France. "Flower Boy" tells the coming of age story of a young man, Cypress, who moves to France to live with his father after his mother's passing. Dylan's directorial debut won best drama and best narrative short at the LA Film Awards in 2021. Dylan now has several projects in development, both in film and television, and will be focusing on these ventures in 2023.
In his free time, Dylan enjoys rock climbing, camping, horseback riding, and training in the art of Muay Thai. He currently resides in Los Angeles, California.Film:
Men of Steel (1978) as 13-year-old Clark Kent- Actor
- Producer
- Soundtrack
Tyler Lee Hoechlin is an American actor. Initially earning recognition for starring as Michael Sullivan Jr. in the 2002 film Road to Perdition, Hoechlin went on to star as Martin Brewer on 7th Heaven between 2003 and 2007. In television, he is also known for portraying Derek Hale on Teen Wolf and Superman in the Arrowverse series Supergirl and Superman & Lois.Television series:
1. Supergirl (2016-2019) - 6 episodes
2. The Flash (2018-2019) - 2 episodes
3. Arrow (2018-2020) - 2 episodes
4. Batwoman (2019) - 1 episode
5. Legends of Tomorrow (2020) - 1 episode
6. Superman & Lois (2021-2024)- Actor
- Producer
- Director
Nicolas Cage was born Nicolas Kim Coppola in Long Beach, California, the son of comparative literature professor August Coppola (whose brother is director Francis Ford Coppola) and dancer/choreographer Joy Vogelsang. He is of Italian (father) and Polish and German (mother) descent. Cage changed his name early in his career to make his own reputation, succeeding brilliantly with a host of classic, quirky roles by the late 1980s.
Initially studying theatre at Beverly Hills High School (though he dropped out at seventeen), he secured a bit part in Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) - most of which was cut, dashing his hopes and leading to a job selling popcorn at the Fairfax Theater, thinking that would be the only route to a movie career, but a job reading lines with actors auditioning for uncle Francis's Rumble Fish (1983) landed him a role in that film, followed by the romantic lead in Valley Girl (1983), which was released first and truly launched his career.
His one-time passion for method acting reached a personal limit when he smashed a street-vendor's remote-control car to achieve the sense of rage needed for his gangster character in The Cotton Club (1984).
In his early 20s, he dated Jenny Wright for two years and later linked to Uma Thurman. After a relationship of several years with Christina Fulton, a model, they split amicably and share custody of a son, Weston Cage (b. 1990). He also has a son with his ex-wife, Alice Kim Cage.Film:
The Flash (2023) (cameo)- Actor
- Writer
- Producer
David Corenswet was born on 8 July 1993 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. He is an actor and writer, known for Pearl (2022), We Own This City (2022) and The Politician (2019).Film:
Superman (2025)