Iconic Actors Who Have Played Superman Over the Years

28 June, 2024 Credit: DevianArt

George Reeves - 1950s

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Christopher Reeve - 1978

[{"selector":"#anim-c2e865ad-36b3-4e24-a0c6-ff9690482d0e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-fdfb3deb-814c-4349-9ea4-22b404897d76","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 143.73217%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d78d2581-c56d-472d-8b67-d9aba78339bd","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-45746416-d6d5-4c8f-b455-216a52e4c9ec","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 295.13866%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f991ebc0-dabe-467c-901a-7334ec76665e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8cdd5704-2876-47a4-888d-014ffb8425f5","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 890.42079%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d8780904-f935-4377-baed-8a387bfc1c4d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-435543ec-8584-4350-a868-54ef638bb878","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -748.24954%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Iconic portrayal in "Superman" films, blending heroism and vulnerability. His performance is often considered the definitive Superman, capturing the essence of both the superhero and Clark Kent. Credit: Reddit

Dean Cain - 1990s

[{"selector":"#anim-e5fb01d0-7b89-419f-b58f-8168c73f89a2","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1f7cf294-180a-4d67-98ff-aa0a34c1151d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 136.68091%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a5818cc4-518e-4bc1-9acc-c3d0d66ae33c","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6255f96a-3781-4dc1-a926-084b49ea011d","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 890.42079%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c4e9dbd8-3113-4ecb-bb15-751a829d6952","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f9f4639a-5186-4363-8ced-320cc11c67b6","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -748.24954%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f68b0f6e-bd2a-4185-a773-49b53988ec0d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-f315dd78-2c02-4a99-acac-cb3fee7589b6","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 257.63847%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Starred in "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman" TV series, focusing on the relationship between Clark Kent and Lois Lane, and presenting a more romantic and humanized version of Superman. Credit: Reddit

Tom Welling - 2001

[{"selector":"#anim-28670e36-f06e-47e5-babb-2a3f5f887aee","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-753e6e64-9366-44e8-8b15-0bec176b97e4","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 151.65838%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5d18ee4a-1584-4e6f-882e-c8677d1b1c87","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a8318d1b-85d0-4465-82cb-66a60c60f493","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 866.28301%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-89dd0afe-1520-42cb-b18d-fbf33d98877b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8fd6087e-082f-40b9-9570-d503eb6b2637","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -748.24954%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-643c3381-2d6c-4089-9c81-5f8b320a26c3","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-700c3876-f708-4222-96fe-2927be7c52c0","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 245.13866%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Portrayed a young Clark Kent in "Smallville," exploring his journey to becoming Superman. The series delved into his early years and the challenges he faced before embracing his destiny. Credit: Reddit

Brandon Routh - 2006

[{"selector":"#anim-82d9558d-80c8-4532-8455-c30228a9bffe","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2b8028db-f049-47eb-92aa-64579920a278","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 156.13598%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2806b621-b1bb-4e21-8fe8-e7713d2633d2","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-bd72557b-48de-4622-8a7c-b73572af0416","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 890.42079%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-62bf23d8-11d4-4089-8b43-100472e05382","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a340bf6e-9a5b-4d1b-8bcf-be0e788c9ec2","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -748.24954%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-65828981-a2bc-422f-95d2-aa58b3b05693","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d7bb2ba4-668d-4e6f-a740-4991aeaa6c75","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 351.38857%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Featured in "Superman Returns," paying homage to Christopher Reeve's portrayal while introducing the character to a new audience. The film served as a quasi-sequel to the original movies. Credit: Reddit

Henry Cavill - 2013

[{"selector":"#anim-cde016ec-1f3a-4cd8-8a99-84f4d3592f87","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b1824306-a7c2-4814-beee-4dfa067aba47","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 158.37480%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-324f8378-bbf3-4cbc-a2fc-d4171afb424a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4f99245f-635b-4f92-8415-2c47735cd984","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 890.42079%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7787de71-cb5c-4c24-8454-21ffb8be27f2","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-006a7e25-d859-44e1-9249-4ad584753a73","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -748.24954%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-242bac60-6c49-45ae-9893-086654d03bc8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4b20a6db-2291-4da9-9799-1fdb124217ae","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 351.38857%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Known for his performances in the DC Extended Universe films, starting with "Man of Steel" (2013). Cavill brought a darker, more complex version of Superman, reflecting modern sensibilities. Credit: Reddit

Tyler Hoechlin - 2016

[{"selector":"#anim-0ae04234-6255-45b6-9785-068ea3f9732a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6e78990f-23ac-4c55-83d7-3a7d3e9ff3a6","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 150.52719%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-76d21b36-0785-40dc-bc77-4b40d83817f8","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1d85905b-a4b0-450a-9b8c-cf1609426ae6","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 866.28301%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d1382a01-a001-4e83-bf37-baf72d0065da","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-07c9f3eb-dadf-4f1d-9a36-77978ba72f3e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -748.24954%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-abdf8b34-7e87-4997-829a-6efab58c2907","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d6a4856f-d2fa-4085-9d34-4f52e0157a56","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 271.89519%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Stars in "Supergirl" and "Superman & Lois," offering a fresh take on the character within the Arrowverse. His portrayal balances superhero duties with family life, providing a grounded and relatable Superman. Credit: Reddit

David Corenswet - 2025

[{"selector":"#anim-ce0bfb57-b41c-4e3a-b673-b895678c2691","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-56c586d1-c308-4413-9b4b-c38787d1f24f","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 156.13598%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-783936a0-42b9-4eee-95c8-5c19ae5c5cbe","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-beca0ee8-3456-442b-ad6d-37554609aee9","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 832.97509%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-2646097c-a20d-4925-8102-3d1f85610a5a","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4ef59dac-ff82-4e46-87f0-922a71c7e6ae","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, -748.24954%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4f5cc550-31ae-4fcc-afdb-dfb2bc01d3d9","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9fe1e0bf-e5e0-44be-b87b-17d9229ea6cb","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 288.88837%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Set to star in "Superman: Legacy," promising a new chapter for the iconic hero. Corenswet's portrayal aims to reboot the character for a new generation while staying true to Superman's core values. Credit: Reddit

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