By Robert Pace
7:33 PM PDT, April 24, 2013
The upcoming Superman reboot Man of Steel is hardly the first to bring the character of "Clark Kent/Superman" to the big screen.
As we continue to countdown the days until Henry Cavill gets his turn at the legendary character, let's take a look back at some of the best actors in Hollywood history to portray Superman.
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5 Super 'Superman' Actors
Warner Bros.
The upcoming Superman reboot Man of Steel is hardly the first to bring the character of "Clark Kent/Superman" to the big screen.
As we continue to countdown the days until Henry Cavill gets his turn at the legendary character, let's take a look back at some of the best actors in Hollywood history to portray Superman.
As we continue to countdown the days until Henry Cavill gets his turn at the legendary character, let's take a look back at some of the best actors in Hollywood history to portray Superman.
Christopher Reeve
Warner Bros.
In 1978, Reeve was the first to portray "Clark Kent/Superman" in a film since George Reeves brought the character to the big screen in 1951.
Reeve starred in the Mario Puzo-written film Superman alongside Marlon Brandon as "Jor-El," Superman's Kryptonian father, Gene Hackman as "Lex Luthor," and Margot Kidder as "Lois Lane."
He would go on to star in three Superman sequels in the succeeding nine years, exiting in the sunrise in his final film, Superman IV: The Quest for Peace.
Reeve starred in the Mario Puzo-written film Superman alongside Marlon Brandon as "Jor-El," Superman's Kryptonian father, Gene Hackman as "Lex Luthor," and Margot Kidder as "Lois Lane."
He would go on to star in three Superman sequels in the succeeding nine years, exiting in the sunrise in his final film, Superman IV: The Quest for Peace.
Tom Welling
CW
A few years after Dean Cain hung up his cape, Welling took on a more modern version of "Superman" in the ever-popular TV series Smallville.
Erica Durance played his "Lois Lane" and current Beauty and the Beast actress Kristin Kreuk played "Lara Lang."
Smallville, which premiered in 2001, lasted an impressive ten seasons, which makes Welling the longest tenured Superman in history.
Erica Durance played his "Lois Lane" and current Beauty and the Beast actress Kristin Kreuk played "Lara Lang."
Smallville, which premiered in 2001, lasted an impressive ten seasons, which makes Welling the longest tenured Superman in history.
George Reeves
Warner Bros.
Reeves was the first actor to bring "Clark Kent/Superman" to film with his 1951 Superman and the Mole Men.
The film was a mere 58 minutes long and was primarily used as a feeler for a TV series, which was green-lighted and launched less than a year later.
The show, which ran until 1958, made Reeves the first Superman to appear in color in 1954.
The film was a mere 58 minutes long and was primarily used as a feeler for a TV series, which was green-lighted and launched less than a year later.
The show, which ran until 1958, made Reeves the first Superman to appear in color in 1954.
Dean Cain
Warner Bros.
A few years after Christopher Reeve's final Superman film, Dean Cain brought the character back to television for Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman.
Although a live-action series called Superboy had aired a few years prior, Lois & Clark was the first time since 1958 that Superman was portrayed in a successful TV series.
With Teri Hatcher alongside as "Lois Lane," Cain starred as Superman for four seasons.
Although a live-action series called Superboy had aired a few years prior, Lois & Clark was the first time since 1958 that Superman was portrayed in a successful TV series.
With Teri Hatcher alongside as "Lois Lane," Cain starred as Superman for four seasons.
Brandon Routh
Warner Bros.
After an almost two-decade hiatus, Routh brought "Clark Kent/Superman" back to the big screen in 2006 in a film aptly entitled Superman Returns.
With Marlon Brando reprising his original role as "Jor-El," Kevin Spacey as "Lex Luthor," and Kate Bosworth as "Lois Lane," the massively budgeted film ($209 million) thrived at the box office with over $391 million worldwide.
Routh wasn't selected to play Superman in the upcoming reboot, Man of Steel, but helped prove that Superman is still a character that resonates well with moviegoers.
With Marlon Brando reprising his original role as "Jor-El," Kevin Spacey as "Lex Luthor," and Kate Bosworth as "Lois Lane," the massively budgeted film ($209 million) thrived at the box office with over $391 million worldwide.
Routh wasn't selected to play Superman in the upcoming reboot, Man of Steel, but helped prove that Superman is still a character that resonates well with moviegoers.