Christopher Reeve Biography

Fast Facts

• In 1987, he traveled to Chile to support 80 Chilean artists whose lives were in danger due to the rulings of dictator Augusto Pinochet, and in 2004, the Chilean government decorated him with the Bernardo O'Higgins Order for his humanitarian work
• Created the Christopher Reeve Foundation, which later became the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, in order to fund research to cure spinal cord injury and the quality of life of people living with the condition
• Studied at Cornell University, and along with Robin Williams, became one of two students selected to study under John Houseman at Julliard School of Performing Arts
• Quote: "Either you decide to stay in the shallow end of the pool or you go out in the ocean․"
• Quote: "So many of our dreams at first seem impossible․ And then they seem improbable․ And then when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable․"
• Is best known for playing Superman in the 1978 movie "Superman: The Movie" and its sequels, as well as other wholesome good guys
• Was noted for his height and his athleticism early in his career, but he continued to work in the film and television industry after becoming paralyzed, making his directorial debut and even returning to acting
• Was a licensed hang glider pilot, which allowed him to create realistic movements while filming flight scenes for "Superman․"
• Was an outspoken advocate for stem cell research, and just days before his death, he urged voters in California to pass Proposition 71, which would establish and institute and funding for the cause
• The last role he played before an accident during a film on horseback-riding safety left him paralyzed was a paralyzed individual in "Above Suspicion․"