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 a multifaceted American figure, best known as the iconic Superman in the film series (1978-1987). Beyond his successful 34-year acting career, marked by a BAFTA, Emmy, Grammy, and SAG Award, Reeve dedicated himself to activism. He also worked as a director and author, showcasing his diverse talents and commitment to various causes.

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, Reeve found his passion for acting when he was cast in an amateur version of the operetta "The Yeomen of the Guard".

1968: Campaign for Robert F. Kennedy

In 1968, at the age of 15, Christopher Reeve demonstrated his early interest in political causes by conducting a door-to-door campaign on behalf of Robert F. Kennedy.

June 1970: Graduation and Summer Acting

In June 1970, Christopher Reeve graduated from Princeton Day School and acted in plays in Boothbay, Maine.

1970: Protest against the invasion of Cambodia

In 1970, Christopher Reeve participated in protests against the invasion of Cambodia, showcasing his commitment to political and social issues at a young age.

1973: Director Split on The Three Musketeers

In 1973, Richard Lester directed The Three Musketeers.

1974: Auditioned for Soap Opera

In 1974, Reeve auditioned for the soap opera "Love of Life" to pay for Juilliard tuition fees.

1974: Director Split on The Four Musketeers

In 1974, Richard Lester directed The Four Musketeers.

1975: Left Juilliard

In 1975, Reeve had to leave Juilliard to fulfill his contract with CBS.

1975: Cast in "A Matter of Gravity"

In late 1975, Reeve was cast by Katharine Hepburn in the Broadway play "A Matter of Gravity", leading to a demanding schedule balancing the play and the soap opera.

June 1976: Dropped out of "A Matter of Gravity" in LA

In June 1976, Reeve dropped out of "A Matter of Gravity" when it moved to Los Angeles, disappointing Katharine Hepburn.

1976: Broadway Debut

In 1976, Christopher Reeve made his Broadway debut, marking an early milestone in his acting career.

1978: Superman Film Series Begins

In 1978, Christopher Reeve began playing the title character in the Superman film series, launching his career.

1978: First Role After Superman

In 1978, Christopher Reeve's first role after Superman was in Somewhere in Time. The film tells the story of Richard Collier, played by Reeve, who romances a stage actress.

1978: "Superman" music in "Smallville"

In 1978, John Williams composed music cues for Superman, which were then arranged by Mark Snow and used in the Smallville episode "Rosetta" featuring Christopher Reeve in 2003.

1978: Breakthrough Role in Superman

In 1978, Reeve's breakthrough came with playing the title character in Superman. It was the start of his most iconic role.

1978: First Hollywood Film Role

In 1978, Reeve's first Hollywood film role was a small part in "Gray Lady Down". He was also in the play "My Life".

1979: Special Olympics coach

In 1979, following the release of Superman, Christopher Reeve served as a track and field coach at the Special Olympics, using his celebrity to support philanthropic causes.

1979: Filming of Somewhere in Time

In mid-1979, Christopher Reeve filmed Somewhere in Time on Mackinac Island, using the Grand Hotel as a location. He considered it his favorite film to shoot.

1980: Appearance in "Somewhere in Time"

In 1980, Christopher Reeve appeared in "Somewhere in Time", furthering his career beyond the Superman franchise.

1980: Release and Initial Reception of Somewhere in Time

In 1980, Somewhere in Time had a wide release after favorable test screenings, but it received negative reviews and an actors' strike prevented publicity. Jean-Pierre Dorléac was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Costume Design.

1980: Somewhere in Time Release

In 1980, Somewhere in Time, starring Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour, was released. The film is a time-travel mystery/romantic fantasy.

1981: Return to Williamstown Theatre Festival

In 1981, Christopher Reeve returned to the Williamstown Theatre Festival to play Achilles in The Greeks, a two-part, six-hour production.

1982: Starring in Deathtrap and Monsignor

In 1982, Christopher Reeve starred in Sidney Lumet's Deathtrap and Frank Perry's Monsignor, exploring more complex characters. Deathtrap received good reviews, while Reeve blamed poor editing for the failure of Monsignor.

1982: Appearance in "Deathtrap"

In 1982, Reeve was in the film "Deathtrap". It was one of the successful films he appeared in after Superman.

1983: Release of Superman III

In 1983, "Superman III" was released, directed by Richard Lester. Reeve felt the film's credibility was diminished due to its comedic elements.

1983: Roles in Faerie Tale Theatre and The Aviator

In 1983, Christopher Reeve appeared in Shelley Duvall's Faerie Tale Theatre and began working on the film The Aviator, where he did his own piloting.

1983: Elected to Actors' Equity Association Council

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

1983: Gained weight for Superman III

In 1983, Reeve gained weight for Superman III. It was his largest gain for any of the Superman movies.

1984: Reeve Reunites with Redgrave in The Aspern Papers

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

1984: Starring in The Bostonians

In 1984, Christopher Reeve starred in The Bostonians alongside Vanessa Redgrave. Reeve accepted a significantly reduced salary for the role. The film was well-received.

March 1985: Starring in Anna Karenina and Daughter's Appearance

In March 1985, Christopher Reeve starred in the television film Anna Karenina, alongside Jacqueline Bisset. His daughter, Alexandra, made her first appearance in the film.

March 1985: Release of The Aviator

In March 1985, the film The Aviator, starring Christopher Reeve, was released. Reeve, who could fly a Stearman, did his own piloting in the film.

1985: Starring in Anna Karenina

In 1985, Christopher Reeve starred in Anna Karenina. Katherine Hepburn advised against the role.

1986: Starring in Street Smart

In 1986, Christopher Reeve starred in Street Smart opposite Morgan Freeman. The film received excellent reviews but had poor box office performance.

1987: Release of Superman IV

In 1987, "Superman IV: The Quest for Peace" was released. Reeve had partial creative control, but the film was a critical and box-office disappointment.

1987: Appearance in "Street Smart"

In 1987, Christopher Reeve appeared in the critically successful film, "Street Smart", where he portrayed a complex character.

1987: Superman Film Series Ends

In 1987, Christopher Reeve concluded his role as Superman in the film series, marking the end of an era.

1987: Focused on Cardiovascular Workouts

In 1987, Reeve was in Superman IV and decided to focus on cardiovascular workouts because it would be healthier.

1987: Chile protest against Augusto Pinochet

In late 1987, Christopher Reeve flew to Chile to help lead a protest march against dictator Augusto Pinochet's threat to execute 77 actors, and was awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of Bernardo O'Higgins for his contribution.

1988: Starring in The Great Escape II

In 1988, Christopher Reeve played Major Johnnie Dodge in The Great Escape II: The Untold Story, a two-part television film.

1989: Stage Work and Summer and Smoke

In 1989, Christopher Reeve continued stage work. Also, for most of 1988 and 1989 Reeve worked onstage.

1989: Off-Broadway and Williamstown Roles

In 1989, Christopher Reeve played Polixenes in The Winter's Tale Off-Broadway and starred in John Brown's Body in Williamstown, where Dana Morosini also had a role.

1989: Co-founding of the Creative Coalition

In 1989, Christopher Reeve was an early member of the Creative Coalition (TCC), an organization that aimed to teach celebrities how to speak knowledgeably about political issues.

1990: Love Letters Performances

In 1989 and 1990, Christopher Reeve performed in Love Letters with Julie Hagerty in various locations, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Boston.

1990: Starring in The Rose and the Jackal

In 1990, Christopher Reeve starred in The Rose and the Jackal as Allan Pinkerton, head of President Lincoln's Secret Service, and played Death/Prince Nikolai Sirki in Death Takes a Holiday in Williamstown.

1991: Guest Appearance in "Carol & Company"

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

1991: Roles in Bump in the Night and Death Dreams

In 1991, Christopher Reeve played a villain in Bump in the Night and Death Dreams, television films. The movie received fair to positive reviews.

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".

1992: Starring in Noises Off

In 1992, Christopher Reeve played a lead role in Peter Bogdanovich's comedy Noises Off. He also played a Catholic priest in Mortal Sins and acted in the short film Last Ferry Home. His last performance in a proper stage production was The Guardsman in Williamstown that year.

1992: Role in Nightmare in the Daylight

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

1992: Meeting Ivory and Getting Offered Role in The Remains of the Day

In the spring of 1992, Christopher Reeve attended the US premiere of Howards End and met Ivory again, who offered him a role in The Remains of the Day.

1993: Appearance in "The Remains of the Day"

In 1993, Christopher Reeve appeared in "The Remains of the Day", adding to his diverse filmography.

1993: Starring in The Sea Wolf and Black Fox

In 1993, Christopher Reeve starred in The Sea Wolf with Charles Bronson and filmed the miniseries Black Fox in Canada.

1993: Guest Caller on "Frasier"

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

1993: Reviews for Morning Glory

In 1993, a critic wrote that Christopher Reeve's role in Morning Glory showed depth and subtlety, suggesting a reversal of perception was coming.

1993: Salkinds Sell Superman Rights to Warner Bros.

In 1993, the Salkinds sold the rights to the Superman character to Warner Bros. A fifth Superman movie, titled "Superman Reborn", was planned but never materialized due to studio shifts, poor box office performance of previous films, and Reeve's accident.

1994: Final Onstage Performances

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

1994: Elected as co-president of the Creative Coalition

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

1994: Reviews for Speechless

In 1994, a review for Speechless noted that Christopher Reeve had evolved into a versatile character actor and was due for rediscovery and celebration.

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 of the same name. It was his final feature film to be released in theaters. He also played a paralyzed police officer in the HBO movie "Above Suspicion" shortly before his accident.

1995: Offered Lead Role in "Kidnapped" and Plans to Direct "Tell Me True"

In 1995, before his injury, Christopher Reeve was offered the lead role in the film "Kidnapped" and planned to direct his first film, "Tell Me True". These plans were cancelled due to his accident.

1995: Release of Black Fox After Reeve's Accident

Two months after Christopher Reeve's accident in 1995, CBS released Black Fox as three films, featuring scenes of Reeve riding.

1996: Established the Christopher Reeve Foundation

In 1996, Christopher Reeve established his own foundation, which aimed to speed up research and to use grants to improve the quality of lives of people with disabilities.

1996: Narrated "Without Pity" and Acted in "A Step Toward Tomorrow"

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

1996: Appearance at the 68th Academy Awards

In 1996, ten months after his injury, Christopher Reeve appeared at the 68th Academy Awards, encouraging Hollywood to make more films on social issues.

1997: Directorial Debut with "In the Gloaming"

In 1997, Christopher Reeve made his directorial debut with the HBO film "In the Gloaming". The film won four Cable Ace Awards and was nominated for five Emmy Awards.

1997: Support for insurance payment bill

In 1997, Christopher Reeve supported a bill to raise the lifetime "cap" on insurance payments from $1 million to $10 million per person, though it was narrowly defeated.

1997: Fundraising for Hollywood Walk of Fame Star

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

1997: Directed "In the Gloaming"

In 1997, Reeve directed "In the Gloaming", demonstrating his talents behind the camera.

April 25, 1998: Publication of "Still Me" Autobiography

On April 25, 1998, Christopher Reeve's autobiography, "Still Me", was published by Random House and spent 11 weeks on the New York Times Best Seller list.

1998: Acted in "Rear Window" Remake

In 1998, Reeve acted in the television remake of "Rear Window", showcasing his continued dedication to acting.

1999: Support for Work Incentives Improvement Act

In 1999, Christopher Reeve supported the Work Incentives Improvement Act, which allows people to continue to receive disability benefits after they return to work, and the bill passed.

1999: Merger to form the Christopher Reeve Foundation

In 1999, the American Paralysis Association and Christopher Reeve's foundation were merged into the Christopher Reeve Foundation.

2000: Guest Appearances on "Sesame Street"

In 2000, Christopher Reeve made guest appearances on the PBS series "Sesame Street".

August 9, 2001: Bush's Stem Cell Policy Announcement

On August 9, 2001, President George W. Bush limited federal funding to research only on human embryonic stem cell lines created on or before this day, a policy that Christopher Reeve initially called "a step in the right direction" before further evaluating its implications.

2001: Public Service Award from the American Society for Cell Biology

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."

September 2002: Publication of "Nothing Is Impossible"

In September 2002, Christopher Reeve's second book, "Nothing Is Impossible: Reflections on a New Life", was published by Random House.

2002: Lobbying for Human Cloning Prohibition Act

In 2002, Christopher Reeve lobbied for the Human Cloning Prohibition Act of 2001, which would allow somatic cell nuclear transfer research but ban reproductive cloning, arguing stem cell implantation is unsafe unless the stem cells contain the patient's own DNA.

2002: Published "Nothing Is Impossible"

In 2002, Reeve wrote "Nothing Is Impossible: Reflections on a New Life", sharing his experiences and insights.

2002: Publication of "Nothing is Impossible: Reflections on a New Life"

In his 2002 book, "Nothing is Impossible: Reflections on a New Life", Christopher Reeve wrote that he and his wife had regularly attended Unitarian services starting in his late 40s, marking a shift in his spiritual beliefs.

February 2003: Underwent Diaphragm Pacing Procedure

In February 2003, Christopher Reeve underwent an experimental procedure to implant electrodes in his diaphragm, helping him breathe without a ventilator.

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

On February 25, 2003, Christopher Reeve appeared in the "Smallville" episode "Rosetta" as Dr. Virgil Swann, informing Clark Kent about his origins.

July 2003: Visit to Israel

In July 2003, Christopher Reeve, frustrated with the pace of stem cell research in the US, visited Israel to seek out the best treatment for his condition.

September 2003: 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", submitting a story treatment that was used for the episode.

2003: Appearances in "Smallville"

In 2003, Christopher Reeve made two appearances in the Superman-themed television series "Smallville", connecting with a new generation of Superman fans.

2003: Recognition of impact

In 2003, Jerome Groopman commented on Christopher Reeve's impact stating Reeve acted as a catalyst in society. There was essentially no substantial funding of spinal-cord research before Reeve's injury, and now it is one of the hottest areas in neurobiology.

June 2004: Videotaped message to the United Nations

In June 2004, Christopher Reeve provided a videotaped message on behalf of the Genetics Policy Institute to the delegates of the United Nations in defense of somatic cell nuclear transfer, which a world treaty was considering banning.

2004: Heart of America Foundation Awards Christopher Reeve Award

From 2004, the Heart of America Foundation awarded the Christopher Reeve Award, an annual scholarship funded by Merriam-Webster, Inc., to a student demonstrating outstanding compassion and community service.

2004: Directed "The Brooke Ellison Story"

In 2004, Christopher Reeve directed the A&E film "The Brooke Ellison Story", based on the true story of Brooke Ellison. He was also directing "Everyone's Hero" during this time.

2005: Williamstown Theatre Festival Dedicates Performance and Establishes Fund

In 2005, the Williamstown Theatre Festival, where Reeve often performed, announced it would dedicate the final performance of every season to his memory and establish a fund to support artists with disabilities.

2005: James Ivory Interview on Reeve's Role in The Bostonians

In a 2005 interview, James Ivory mentioned that Christopher Reeve "brokered" arrangements with the CAA for Merchant Ivory Productions.

2008: Diaphragm Pacing Device Approved by FDA

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

2008: Turner's Memoir on Switching Channels

In her 2008 memoir, Kathleen Turner wrote about the difficult filming experience of Switching Channels due to a feud with Burt Reynolds, noting Christopher Reeve's kindness.

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, aimed at enhancing research into paralysis and improving rehabilitation and the quality of life for people with paralysis and other physical disabilities.

2015: Princeton Public Library Creates Christopher Reeve Collection

In 2015, the Princeton Public Library created the Christopher Reeve Theater and Dramatic Arts Collection, consisting of books on acting, screenwriting, theater, filmmaking, cinema studies, music, and Broadway, including Reeve's books.

2016: Heart of America Foundation Awards Christopher Reeve Award

In 2016, the Heart of America Foundation awarded the Christopher Reeve Award, an annual scholarship funded by Merriam-Webster, Inc., to a student demonstrating outstanding compassion and community service.

2018: Drexel University Establishes Christopher Reeve Endowment Award

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.