#1 1940 - Ray Middleton

Ray Middleton (not pictured) was born in Chicago, Illinois, and he was the first man to ever play Superman in public.

Ray Middleton donned the Superman outfit on July 3, 1940, during the New York World's Fair's "Superman Day" as the "Man of Tomorrow" Exhibition. A live Superman radio broadcast was performed from the fairgrounds and DC also published a special edition "World's Fair Comics" for sale exclusively at the fair. It is interesting to note Superman's costume, including his "Superman" emblazoned chest emblem, cape, tights and lace-style boots.

Ray Middleton was chosen for this exciting role due to his fame and talent as a performer at the time.


#2 1948 - Kirk Alyn

Actor Kirk Alyn will always be remembered for starring in the first television appearance of Superman.

Kirk Alyn began his show business career as a chorus boy on Broadway. Although the actor had starred in some minor movie roles, his first big break came with the title role in the serial 'Superman'.

'Superman' was well received by fans, especially the younger ones, and this also led to Kirk Alyn gaining a starring role in another television series - 'Atom Man vs. Superman'.

Unfortunately after both of these movies, the actor surprisingly found it difficult to land other major parts, so he soon retired in Arizona.
[img]http://c2.likes-media.com/img/51c49895cab6ff33947e2b96a26bf2fe.600x[/img]


#3 1951 - George Reeves
George Reeves has been hailed as the most popular actor to ever portray Superman and his alter-ego Clark Kent, due to his charismatic nature.

Reeves was offered the role of Superman in the television series titled 'Adventures of Superman' in June 1951. What most people don't know, however, was that the actor was initially reluctant to take the role because he considered television unimportant and believed few would see his work. This was during a time when theater remained hugely popular and influential.

George Reeves began his Superman career with the film 'Superman and the Mole Men', and he then began production for the series 'Adventures of Superman'. The series aired in 1952, and Reeves was amazed at becoming a national celebrity so quickly.
[img]http://c4.likes-media.com/img/28760469fec729d1bbe2bd013a5a3a3c.600x[/img]


#4 1966 - Bob Holiday
Bob Holiday is most famous for his role as the first ever singing Superman.

What some also find surprising is the fact that the actor has played Superman more than any other actor (over 140 performances), as well as several live appearances in character. He is also the eldest surviving, live-action Superman, making him one of the most memorable actors to have ever played the role.

The musical titled 'It's a Bird…It's a Plane…It's Superman' began in 1966 and despite its popularity, it closed after only 129 performances.

Bob Holiday was an extremely likable and popular choice of Superman because of his generosity, outgoing personality, and of course, his superior singing and acting ability.
[img]http://c3.likes-media.com/img/c364b8a82eebbe3dd7abdaacf5edce72.600x[/img]


#5 1978 - Christopher Reeve
Christopher Reeve played an important part in Superman history. He did star in the first full-color, feature-length Superman theatrical release after all!

Christopher Reeve was first asked to audition for the starring role in the big budget film titled 'Superman'. The casting director put Reeve's picture and resume on the top of the pile three separate times, only to have the producers throw it out each time. The casting director's persistence paid off, however, and Reeve was soon cast as the role of the superhero.

Christopher Reeve was reportedly very pleased with the script, and he appreciated the fact that those involved behind the scenes of the movie took it very seriously.

Reeve never thought he had a chance to play the leading role, as he described himself as a "skinny wasp". Surprisingly, after Christopher Reeve's screen test, his driver said, "I'm not supposed to tell you this, but you've got the part." The actor went on to star in Superman II, III, and IV.
[img]http://c4.likes-media.com/img/582b44be2fb08c2b290fdc9d2ec90457.600x[/img]


#6 1988 - James Hayes Newton
In 1988, James Hayes Newton starred in the first Superman TV series ever produced by Disney/MGM. It was titled 'Superboy'.
The director was searching for an actor that resembled a young Christopher Reeve to star in the leading role. James Hayes Newton was 22 years old at the time, visiting family back in North Carolina, when he decided to audition for the series.

Because of the actor's height, green eyes and brown hair, he was immediately accepted for the role. The actor was advised to dye his hair darker to resemble Christopher Reeve.

James Hayes Newton did not last long in the role of Superman, however, due to his "lackluster performance", demands for a raise, and his DUI arrest - Perhaps he's not so heroic after all?
[img]http://c1.likes-media.com/img/8be0d807f2cfd0922a1c0d98a91abfd8.600x[/img]


#7 1989 - Gerard Christopher
An interesting fact about the actor Gerard Christopher is that he was a bit of a hero even before starring as Superman in 1989!

In 1979, Gerard stopped the bus he was a passenger on because he noticed a woman being mugged by a man. The woman was slashed with a knife in the neck (fortunately surviving), and Gerard tackled the man to the ground, successfully wrestling the knife out of his hands.

Six months later, the actor chased a necklace thief through the streets, tackling him to the ground and holding the thief there until police arrived. Gerard was given an award for heroism by the New York Convention and Visitors Bureau.

From the moment that Gerard was chosen as the new Superboy, however, he had a struggle ahead of him - ratings were at an all-time low and the show was threatened with being cancelled. Within weeks of Gerard taking the lead, however, the ratings had majorly improved.
[img]http://c4.likes-media.com/img/a8db87e1392d09864ff46c304c032c17.600x[/img]


#8 1993 - DEAN CAIN
In 1993, Cain took on his biggest role to date as Superman in the television series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. At the height of its popularity, it would bring in an average of at least 15 million viewers per episode. The series ran for four seasons, ending in 1997.


#9 2001 - Tom Welling
Tom Welling starred as Superman in the longest running live-action Superman series! He was also the first Clark Kent not to be referred to as "Superman", as well as the first Superman to not be featured in traditional costume.

Welling graduated from Okemos High School in Okemos, Michigan, when he was 18 years old. He wanted to be a construction worker and therefore, after graduating, he worked in a construction service site.

Tom soon joined a modeling agency, and later, he became an actor. In 2001 he was offered the role of Clark Kent in the hit series "Smallville". The actor actually turned this role down twice due to the fact that he didn't think he was a good enough actor!

The show ended up running successfully for ten whole seasons, with an initial audience of over 8 million!
[img]http://c3.likes-media.com/img/bf2f520b0307b9cf96a4cf4af9fac79b.600x[/img]


#10 2006 - Brandon Routh
Brandon Routh scored the role of Superman in 'Superman Returns' in 2006, however in the year before that, the actor chose to dress as the superhero for his Halloween costume!

Almost twenty years had passed since a live-action Superman movie was released in theaters, therefore Warner Bros. decided to invest over $300 million into 'Superman Returns'.

Brandon Routh was not only chosen for his acting ability, but he was also a great candidate for the role due to his 'Superman looks'.

The actor was very determined to master the role, and he even sought out a movement coach to help him create the proper body language for the character. Unfortunately, the movie was a disappointment to both critics and fans, mostly due to the inclusion of a 'baby Superman'.
[img]http://c1.likes-media.com/img/09265e82d0c1572f3c7e381eda03bf18.600x[/img]


#11 2013 - Henry Cavill
Henry Cavill is the most recent actor to join the iconic Superman evolution. With the movie, 'Man of Steel' comes a few changes: a modified costume and the first Superman movie to be available in 3D.

Cavill was born on the island of Jersey in the Channel Islands. The actor had been set to play Superman in McG's 2004 film, 'Superman: Flyby', however, McG pulled out of the project and direction was taken over by director Bryan Singer, who chose to recast Brandon Routh as the lead in 'Superman Returns'.

On 30 January 2011, it was announced that Cavill had been cast in the role of Superman in director Zack Snyder's production, 'Man of Steel'. The director stated that Henry Cavill was the most perfect choice for the role.
[img]http://c3.likes-media.com/img/cf1b054b3a60e120829f31aeea050226.600x[/img]


[img]http://i2.likes-media.com/uimg/30f58d7e021f24c6b8ad03fe659fe3f9.600x[/img]

Amazing.

Yeah, I was amazed when I saw it too

first to comment


i think this findings is worth front page

Front page

Yeah, front page!

supes is fing old, "even a musical" damn dats dope. I will forever respect d guys keeping d character alive, longevity of dis form boders on d religious-i guess.

Christopher Reeves and Tom welling are still my favorite. I grew up knowing Reeves was superman even though the stunts are too local compared to Tom in smallville. Superman is always one of my best hero character.

Christopher Reeve will always be my one and only true Superman - all the others are fake
Hate the new costume of Henry Cavill. It's almost as though they wish to destroy the franchise.

vivacious vivi: Christopher Reeve will always be my one and only true Superman - all the others are fake
Hate the new costume of Henry Cavill. It's almost as though they wish to destroy the franchise.

U hate the costume of the new supes? Man of steel was the best thing to ever to the superman franchise.

Henry Cavill's suit is so BAWSE

If there's anything positive to come out of that shiitty movie, it's the fact that they got rid of those iidiiotic looking panties and gave his suit this rugged texture.
Errr.... But you can already tell this whole 'texture' shittt was copied from Spider-Man's suit. They started it. And now, DC, out of ideas as usual, decided to go on and copy it.

DC sucks, dude.

Psychedelia: Henry Cavill's suit is so BAWSE

If there's anything positive to come out of that shiitty movie, it's the fact that they got rid of those iidiiotic looking panties and gave his suit this rugged texture.
Errr.... But you can already tell this whole 'texture' shittt was copied from Spider-Man's suit. They started it. And now, DC, out of ideas as usual, decided to go on and copy it.

DC sucks, dude.

That's no true. It started from batman's suit. I think they got the idea from there.

Mods, take this to front page naa?