Career Timeline of Christopher Reeve: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Christopher Reeve built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Christopher Reeve was an American actor, director, and activist best known for portraying Superman in the film series from 1978-1987. Reeve achieved critical acclaim and recognition for his acting career, earning several prestigious awards including a British Academy Film Award, an Emmy Award, a Grammy Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. Beyond acting, he dedicated himself to activism, advocating for spinal cord injury research and disability rights, further solidifying his legacy as a multifaceted and influential figure.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

1962: First Acting Role

In 1962, at the age of nine, Christopher Reeve found his passion for acting when he was cast in an amateur version of the operetta "The Yeomen of the Guard".

1968: Campaigning for Robert F. Kennedy

In 1968, at the age of 15, Christopher Reeve conducted a door-to-door campaign on behalf of Robert F. Kennedy.

1970: Protesting the Invasion of Cambodia

In 1970, Christopher Reeve participated in protests against the invasion of Cambodia.

1973: Accepted into Juilliard

In 1973, Christopher Reeve chose to focus solely on acting and was accepted into Juilliard (Group 4, 1973–1975) in New York City.

1973: Juilliard's Advanced Program

In 1973, Christopher Reeve was selected for Juilliard's Advanced Program, along with Robin Williams. He and Williams were the only students selected, marking a significant step in his acting education.

1973: The Three Musketeers Release

In 1973, Richard Lester worked with the producers on the two-parter "The Three Musketeers".

1974: Auditioned for Love of Life

In 1974, Christopher Reeve auditioned for the soap opera "Love of Life" to finance his tuition at Juilliard.

1974: The Four Musketeers Release

In 1974, Richard Lester worked with the producers on the two-parter "The Four Musketeers".

1974: Performed The Love Cure

In early 1974, Christopher Reeve, as a Juilliard student, toured the New York City junior high school system and performed "The Love Cure".

1975: Auditioned for A Matter of Gravity

In late 1975, Christopher Reeve auditioned for the Broadway play "A Matter of Gravity", which led to him being cast by Katharine Hepburn.

June 1976: Dropped Out of A Matter of Gravity

In June 1976, Christopher Reeve dropped out of the play "A Matter of Gravity" when it moved to Los Angeles, to Katharine Hepburn's disappointment.

1976: Broadway Debut

In 1976, Christopher Reeve made his Broadway debut.

1978: Breakthrough Role in Superman

In 1978, Christopher Reeve achieved his breakthrough role as the title character in the movie "Superman".

1978: Auditioned for Superman

In 1978, Christopher Reeve auditioned for the leading role in the film "Superman" after being suggested by Stark Hesseltine.

1978: Superman Film Series Begins

In 1978, Christopher Reeve began his portrayal of the title character in the "Superman" film series, a role that would define much of his career.

1978: First Hollywood Role in Gray Lady Down

In 1978, Christopher Reeve's first role in a Hollywood film was a small part as a junior officer in the naval submarine disaster movie "Gray Lady Down".

1979: Special Olympics Coach

In 1979, Christopher Reeve served as a track and field coach at the Special Olympics.

1979: Filming Somewhere in Time

In mid-1979, Christopher Reeve filmed "Somewhere in Time" on Mackinac Island, using the Grand Hotel as a location.

1980: Appeared in Somewhere in Time

In 1980, Christopher Reeve appeared in the critically acclaimed film "Somewhere in Time".

Loading Video...

1980: Initial reviews and Academy Award Nomination for Somewhere in Time

In 1980, early reviews savaged the film Somewhere in Time, but Jean-Pierre Dorléac was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Costume Design. The film later became a cult classic.

1981: Return to Williamstown Theatre Festival and Broadway Debut

In 1981, Christopher Reeve returned to the Williamstown Theatre Festival to play Achilles in The Greeks. Later in the year, he played a disabled Vietnam veteran in Fifth of July on Broadway, receiving excellent reviews.

1982: Appeared in Deathtrap

In 1982, Christopher Reeve appeared in the critically successful film "Deathtrap".

1982: Roles in Deathtrap and Monsignor

In 1982, Christopher Reeve starred in Deathtrap as a devious playwright, and in Monsignor as a corrupt Catholic priest during World War II. Reeve felt Monsignor gave him the opportunity to play a morally ambiguous character.

1983: Superman III

In 1983, Christopher Reeve starred in "Superman III". He later expressed disappointment with the film's comedic direction.

Loading Video...

1983: Election to Actors' Equity Association Council

In 1983, Christopher Reeve was elected to Actors' Equity Association Council.

1983: Appearance in Faerie Tale Theatre and filming of The Aviator

In 1983, Reeve appeared in Shelley Duvall's Faerie Tale Theatre and acted in the play Holiday in Williamstown. He also began working on the film The Aviator in Kranjska Gora, Slovenia.

1984: Reeve stars in 'The Bostonians' and 'The Aspern Papers'

In 1984, Christopher Reeve appeared in 'The Bostonians', and reunited with Vanessa Redgrave in the play 'The Aspern Papers' during its run in London's West End. He also played the title role in Richard Cory in Williamstown.

1984: Appeared in The Bostonians

In 1984, Christopher Reeve appeared in the critically acclaimed film "The Bostonians".

1984: Role in The Bostonians and Stage Performance in London

In 1984, Christopher Reeve played Basil Ransom in The Bostonians, accepting a significantly reduced salary. He also reunited with Vanessa Redgrave in The Aspern Papers in London's West End.

March 1985: Anna Karenina release and Saturday Night Live appearance

In March 1985, Christopher Reeve starred in the television film Anna Karenina. His daughter Alexandra also appeared in the film. Reeve also hosted Saturday Night Live in April.

March 1985: Release of The Aviator

In March 1985, the film The Aviator, starring Christopher Reeve, was released. Reeve volunteered to do his own piloting in the film for a more realistic look.

1985: Filming Anna Karenina

In 1985, Christopher Reeve shot the film Anna Karenina, with Katharine Hepburn advising him that it was a terrible mistake.

1986: Starring in Street Smart

In 1986, Christopher Reeve starred in Street Smart, which was produced by Cannon Films. The film received excellent reviews but performed poorly at the box office. He also starred in Summer and Smoke in Williamstown.

1987: Appeared in Street Smart

In 1987, Christopher Reeve appeared in the critically successful film "Street Smart".

1987: Superman Film Series Ends

In 1987, Christopher Reeve concluded his role as Superman in the Superman film series.

1987: Superman IV: The Quest for Peace

In 1987, Christopher Reeve starred in "Superman IV: The Quest for Peace", for which he focused more on cardiovascular workouts due to health considerations.

1987: Protest in Chile and Award

In late 1987, Christopher Reeve flew to Santiago, Chile, and helped lead a protest march to save 77 actors threatened by Augusto Pinochet. He received the Grand Cross of the Order of Bernardo O'Higgins, an Obie Award, and the Annual Walter Briehl Human Rights Foundation award for his contribution.

1988: Starring in The Great Escape II: The Untold Story

In 1988, Christopher Reeve played Major Johnnie Dodge in the two-part television film The Great Escape II: The Untold Story. He also worked onstage in various productions, including Summer and Smoke.

1989: Stage work in Summer and Smoke and Mesmer

For most of 1989, Christopher Reeve worked onstage. He starred in another production of Summer and Smoke and reunited with Madeleine Potter in Joel Gross' new play, Mesmer.

1989: Roles in The Winter's Tale, John Brown's Body, and Love Letters

In 1989, Christopher Reeve played Polixenes in The Winter's Tale and the lead in John Brown's Body. He was also part of a rotating cast in Love Letters.

1989: Founding of the Creative Coalition

In 1989, Christopher Reeve was an early member of the Creative Coalition (TCC), founded by Ron Silver, which aimed to teach celebrities about political issues. Reeve was involved in environmental issues and defending the National Endowment of the Arts.

1990: Starring in The Rose and the Jackal and Death Takes a Holiday

In 1990, Christopher Reeve starred in The Rose and the Jackal and played Death/Prince Nikolai Sirki in Death Takes a Holiday.

1990: Performances in Love Letters

In 1990, Reeve performed in Love Letters with Julie Hagerty in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Boston, continuing from his performances in 1989.

1991: Guest Appearance in Carol & Company

In 1991, Christopher Reeve made a guest appearance in the television show Carol & Company.

1991: Criticism of Donald Trump

In 1991, Christopher Reeve spoke out against Donald Trump's projects on West End Avenue. Reeve's critical speech was featured in the documentary Trump: What's the Deal?.

1991: Roles in Bump in the Night and Death Dreams

In 1991, Christopher Reeve was cast as a villain in Bump in the Night and Death Dreams. Bump in the Night received fair to positive reviews and Reeve played a child molester.

1992: Guest Appearances in Road to Avonlea and Tales from the Crypt

In 1992, Christopher Reeve made guest appearances in the television shows Road to Avonlea and Tales from the Crypt. His episode in Tales from the Crypt, "What's Cookin'", is considered one of the best in the series.

1992: Role in Nightmare in the Daylight

In 1992, Christopher Reeve played a villain in the television film Nightmare in the Daylight.

1992: Roles in Noises Off, Mortal Sins, and Last Ferry Home

In 1992, Christopher Reeve played one of the leads in Noises Off and also played a Catholic priest in Mortal Sins. He also acted in the short film Last Ferry Home.

1992: Meeting Ivory at US Premiere of Howards End and Offered Role

In the spring of 1992, Christopher Reeve attended the US premiere of Howards End where he met Ivory again. The next day Ivory called him and offered him a role in his new film, The Remains of the Day (1993).

1993: Appeared in The Remains of the Day

In 1993, Christopher Reeve appeared in the critically successful film "The Remains of the Day".

Loading Video...

1993: Forum on Censorship in Tucson, Arizona

In 1993, Christopher Reeve participated in a forum on censorship in Tucson, Arizona, held by People for the American Way. Reeve and other actors performed an impromptu reading of a play with homosexual themes, which led to a standing ovation. Reeve defended tolerance and diversity in response to heckling parents.

1993: Review for Morning Glory

In 1993, Christopher Reeve starred in Morning Glory, with one critic noting that those who couldn't take Reeve seriously unless he was wearing a blue suit and a red cape would be pleasantly surprised by the heft and subtlety he brings to his role.

1993: Starred in "The Sea Wolf" and "Black Fox"

In 1993, Christopher Reeve starred in the television film "The Sea Wolf" opposite Charles Bronson and traveled to Canada to shoot the miniseries "Black Fox" with Tony Todd.

1993: Guest Caller on Frasier

In 1993, Christopher Reeve was one of the celebrity guest callers on Frasier.

1993: Sale of Superman rights to Warner Bros.

In 1993, two years before Reeve's accident, the Salkinds sold the rights to the character of Superman to Warner Bros. A fifth Superman movie titled Superman Reborn was planned, but it was ultimately cancelled due to studio shifts, the failure of Superman IV, and Reeve's accident.

1994: Performances in Love Letters and Allegro

In 1994, Christopher Reeve performed a reading of Love Letters in Williamstown and narrated a concert version of the musical Allegro at the New York City Center, marking his last appearances onstage.

1994: Co-Presidency of The Creative Coalition

In 1994, Christopher Reeve was elected as a co-president of the Creative Coalition (TCC).

1994: Review for Speechless

In 1994, in a review for Speechless, a critic noted that Mr. Reeve had quietly evolved into a versatile character actor and that it was only a matter of time before he was 'officially' rediscovered and celebrated, like John Travolta in Pulp Fiction.

1995: Starred in Village of the Damned

In 1995, Christopher Reeve starred in John Carpenter's Village of the Damned, a remake of the 1960 British movie. Village of the Damned was Reeve's final feature film to be released in theaters.

1995: Plans for Kidnapped and Tell Me True Cancelled

In 1995, Christopher Reeve was offered the lead in the film Kidnapped and planned to direct his first film, Tell Me True, but both plans were cancelled due to his horse riding accident.

1996: Appearance at the 68th Academy Awards

In 1996, 10 months after his injury, Christopher Reeve appeared at the 68th Academy Awards to a long standing ovation. He encouraged Hollywood to make more films on social issues.

1996: Establishment of Reeve's Foundation

In 1996, Christopher Reeve established his own foundation, which later merged with the American Paralysis Association, to speed up research and improve the quality of life for people with disabilities.

1996: Narrated Without Pity

In 1996, Christopher Reeve narrated the HBO documentary Without Pity: A Film About Abilities, which won an Emmy Award. He also acted in a small role in the film A Step Toward Tomorrow.

1997: Directed In the Gloaming

In 1997, Christopher Reeve directed the movie "In the Gloaming".

1997: Support of Insurance Cap Bill

In 1997, Christopher Reeve supported a bill to raise the lifetime "cap" on insurance payments from $1 million to $10 million per person, arguing against the excessive CEO incomes of insurance companies. The bill was narrowly defeated.

1997: Hollywood Walk of Fame Star sponsored by INSITE

In 1997, INSITE sponsored a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Christopher Reeve and raised over $20,000 for the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation.

April 25, 1998: Publication of Still Me

On April 25, 1998, Random House published Christopher Reeve's autobiography, Still Me, which became a New York Times Best Seller for 11 weeks. Reeve's audiobook narration won a Grammy Award, an Audie Award, and an Earphones Award.

1998: Acted in Rear Window Remake

In 1998, Christopher Reeve acted in the television remake of "Rear Window".

Loading Video...

1998: Reeve's Reflections on Life

In 1998, Christopher Reeve stated in an interview that he was making the best of his new life with a busy schedule of activism, film work, writing, public speaking, and parenting after his accident.

1998: Organized Spinal Cord Research Fundraiser on ABC

In early 1998, Christopher Reeve persuaded Michael Eisner of Disney to dedicate a two-hour prime-time slot on ABC for a spinal cord research fundraiser. The special, "A Celebration of Hope", featured inspiring stories and performances and received an Emmy nomination.

1999: Support of Work Incentives Improvement Act

In 1999, Christopher Reeve supported the Work Incentives Improvement Act, which allowed people to continue receiving disability benefits after they returned to work. This bill passed.

1999: Merger into Christopher Reeve Foundation

In 1999, the American Paralysis Association and Christopher Reeve's own foundation, established in 1996, were merged into the Christopher Reeve Foundation to accelerate research and enhance the lives of people with disabilities.

2000: Guest Appearance on Sesame Street

In 2000, Christopher Reeve made a guest appearance on the PBS series Sesame Street.

2001: Receives Public Service Award

In 2001, Christopher Reeve received the Public Service Award from the American Society for Cell Biology for "outstanding public service in support of biomedical research."

2001: Filming of Hope in Motion Started

In 2001, Christopher Reeve's son, Matthew, began filming a three-part series detailing Reeve's recovery and advocacy for spinal cord injury research.

September 2002: Publication of Nothing Is Impossible

In September 2002, Random House published Christopher Reeve's second book, Nothing Is Impossible: Reflections on a New Life. The book spent three weeks on the New York Times Best Seller list and Reeve narrated an unabridged audiobook, receiving his second Grammy nomination.

2002: Lobbies for the Human Cloning Prohibition Act of 2001

In 2002, Christopher Reeve lobbied for the Human Cloning Prohibition Act of 2001, advocating for somatic cell nuclear transfer research while banning reproductive cloning. He argued that stem cell implantation is unsafe without using the patient's own DNA and that somatic cell nuclear transfer can be fully regulated since it doesn't involve fertilizing an egg.

2002: Published Nothing Is Impossible: Reflections on a New Life

In 2002, Christopher Reeve wrote and published his autobiographical book "Nothing Is Impossible: Reflections on a New Life".

February 2003: Experimental Diaphragm Procedure

In February 2003, Reeve underwent an experimental procedure to implant electrodes in his diaphragm to help him breathe without a ventilator. The device initially allowed him to breathe for 15 minutes an hour, but this later increased.

February 25, 2003: Appearance in Smallville's "Rosetta" Episode

On February 25, 2003, Christopher Reeve appeared in the Smallville episode "Rosetta" as Dr. Virgil Swann, informing Clark Kent about his origins. The episode featured music from 1978's Superman and received rave reviews.

Loading Video...

July 2003: Visit to Israel for Stem Cell Research

In July 2003, Christopher Reeve visited Israel to explore stem cell research due to his frustration with the pace of research in the US. During the visit, Reeve called the experience "a privilege", praising Israel's proactive rehab facilities, medical schools, teaching hospitals, and research infrastructure.

September 2003: Awarded the Lasker Public Service Award

In September 2003, Christopher Reeve was awarded the Lasker Public Service Award "for his perceptive, sustained and heroic advocacy for medical research in general and victims of disability in particular."

2003: Guest-Starred in The Practice

In 2003, Christopher Reeve guest-starred in an episode of The Practice. He submitted a story treatment that addressed the issues of health insurance policy and caregiver burnout, which was used as the basis for the episode.

2003: Appearances in Smallville

In 2003, Christopher Reeve made two appearances in the Superman-themed television series "Smallville".

Loading Video...

2003: Impact on Spinal Cord Research Funding

In 2003, Jerome Groopman commented on Christopher Reeve's impact, stating that Reeve acted as a catalyst in society, which resulted in a substantial funding in spinal-cord research, which was non-existent before his injury. UC Irvine said in 2003 that Reeve promoted research on spinal cord injury and other neurological disorders.

June 2004: Videotaped Message to United Nations

In June 2004, Christopher Reeve provided a videotaped message to the United Nations delegates on behalf of the Genetics Policy Institute. The message defended somatic cell nuclear transfer, which was being considered for a global ban.

2004: Directed The Brooke Ellison Story

In 2004, Christopher Reeve directed the A&E film The Brooke Ellison Story, based on the life of Brooke Ellison. He was also directing the animated film Everyone's Hero at the time of his death, which his wife and son helped complete.

2005: Williamstown Theatre Festival Dedication

In 2005, the Williamstown Theatre Festival, where Reeve often performed, announced a tradition of dedicating the final performance of each season to his memory and establishing a fund for artists with disabilities.

2005: James Ivory Interview

In a 2005 interview, James Ivory mentioned that Reeve brokered the arrangements with the CAA to get Merchant Ivory Productions into the agency.

2008: Kathleen Turner's memoir release

In 2008, Kathleen Turner's memoir was released, where she mentioned her feud with Burt Reynolds during the filming of Switching Channels and how Christopher Reeve was very nice during the difficult time.

2008: FDA Approval of Diaphragm Pacing Device

In 2008, the diaphragm pacing device Christopher Reeve used was approved by the FDA under a Humanitarian Device Exemption.

March 2009: Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act Signed into Law

In March 2009, President Barack Obama signed the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Act, aiming to enhance research into paralysis and improve rehabilitation and quality of life for individuals with paralysis and physical disabilities.

2018: Christopher Reeve Endowment Award Established at Drexel University

In 2018, Drexel University College of Medicine established the Christopher Reeve Endowment Award as a scholarship fund for research and training in spinal cord and brain injury research.

2023: Premarket Approval of Diaphragm Pacing Device

In 2023, the diaphragm pacing device used by Christopher Reeve received premarket approval by the FDA.

2024: Ivory praises Reeve's performance in "The Remains of the Day" at screening.

At the 2024 screening of the film "The Remains of the Day", Ivory praised Christopher Reeve's performance, saying he was a very good actor who got trapped in Superman.

Loading Video...