Actors From Superman Movies Who Have Passed Away

The Superman film franchise has featured many legendary performers who brought the world of DC Comics to life on the big screen. Over the decades several key cast members from the original series and its sequels have left a lasting legacy through their memorable roles. These actors helped define the characters of Metropolis and the Smallville farm for generations of fans. Their contributions remain a vital part of cinematic history and the superhero genre.

Christopher Reeve

Christopher Reeve portrayed the title character in four films starting with ‘Superman’ in 1978. He became synonymous with the Man of Steel through his portrayal of both the powerful hero and the mild mannered Clark Kent. After a horse riding accident in 1995 he became a prominent activist for people with spinal cord injuries. The actor passed away in 2004 at the age of 52. His legacy continues to inspire fans and future actors who take on the legendary red cape.

Margot Kidder

Margot Kidder starred as the intrepid reporter Lois Lane alongside Christopher Reeve in the first four films of the series. She was known for her sharp wit and her romantic chemistry with the titular hero. Kidder also made an appearance in the television series ‘Smallville’ later in her career. She remained a beloved figure in the fan community for her portrayal of one of the most famous women in comics. The actress passed away in 2018 at the age of 69.

Marlon Brando

Marlon Brando appeared in the 1978 film ‘Superman’ as the biological father of Kal El named Jor El. His involvement in the project brought significant prestige to the production and helped legitimize superhero films in Hollywood. Brando recorded additional footage that was later used in ‘Superman II The Richard Donner Cut’ and ‘Superman Returns’. He was widely considered one of the greatest actors of his generation for his work in various classic films. Brando passed away in 2004 at the age of 80.

Jackie Cooper

Jackie Cooper played the role of Daily Planet editor Perry White in all four films starring Christopher Reeve. He portrayed the character as a stern but fair boss who was constantly seeking the latest news in Metropolis. Cooper was an established talent who had previously achieved fame as a child star in the early days of cinema. He also worked as a director on various television projects throughout his extensive career. The actor passed away in 2011 at the age of 88.

Ned Beatty

Ned Beatty played the role of Otis who served as the comedic henchman to Lex Luthor in the first two films. He brought a sense of humor to the villainous plots orchestrated by the criminal mastermind. Beatty was a prolific character actor with a career spanning several decades in both film and television. He earned critical acclaim for his work in various dramatic and comedic roles outside of the superhero genre. The actor passed away in 2021 at the age of 83.

Glenn Ford

Glenn Ford portrayed Jonathan Kent who was the adoptive father of Clark Kent in the 1978 version of ‘Superman’. His character provided the moral foundation for the young hero before Clark moved to the city of Metropolis. Ford was a legendary star of the Golden Age of Hollywood known for his work in Westerns and film noir. He appeared in over one hundred films throughout a career that lasted more than fifty years. The actor passed away in 2006 at the age of 90.

Richard Pryor

Richard Pryor played the character of Gus Gorman who was a computer genius in the 1983 film ‘Superman III’. His role was central to the plot as he inadvertently helped create the synthetic kryptonite that affected the hero. Pryor was primarily known as a groundbreaking stand up comedian and a major film star during the 1970s and 1980s. He brought a unique energy to the third installment of the franchise which shifted towards a more comedic tone. The actor passed away in 2005 at the age of 65.

Phyllis Thaxter

Phyllis Thaxter played the role of Martha Kent in the 1978 film ‘Superman’. She portrayed the character as a loving mother who supported Clark as he discovered his extraordinary abilities on the family farm. Thaxter had a long career on stage and screen appearing in numerous classic movies and television shows. Her performance helped establish the emotional weight of the hero’s origins in Smallville. The actress passed away in 2012 at the age of 92.

Susannah York

Susannah York played the role of Lara who was the biological mother of Superman in the first three films. She appeared in the 1978 film ‘Superman’ during the opening sequence on the planet Krypton. York was an accomplished British actress who received an Academy Award nomination for her role in ‘They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?’. She had a distinguished career in international cinema and theater spanning several decades. The actress passed away in 2011 at the age of 72.

Please share which of these legendary performances moved you the most in the comments.