Childhood and Education Journey of Christopher Reeve in Timeline

Discover the defining moments in the early life of Christopher Reeve. From birth to education, explore key events.

Christopher Reeve was an American actor, director, and activist. He is most famous for portraying Superman in the film series (1978-1987). Beyond his acting career, which earned him a British Academy Film Award, an Emmy Award, a Grammy Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award, Reeve was also known for his advocacy work.

Sections (6)

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

1913: Maternal Great-Grandfather Appointed Justice

In 1913, Christopher Reeve's maternal great-grandfather, Mahlon Pitney, became an associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.

1922: End of Supreme Court Justice Term

In 1922, Mahlon Pitney's term as an associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court ended.

September 25, 1952: Christopher Reeve Born

On September 25, 1952, Christopher Reeve was born in New York City to Barbara Pitney Lamb and Franklin D'Olier Reeve.

1956: Parents' Divorce

In 1956, Franklin and Barbara divorced, and she moved with Christopher and his younger brother Benjamin to Princeton, New Jersey.

1962: Passion for Acting Discovered

In 1962, at age 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: Campaign 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.

June 1970: Graduated from PDS

In June 1970, Christopher Reeve graduated from Princeton Day School (PDS).

1970: Protests Against Cambodia Invasion

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

1973: Start of Juilliard

In 1973 Christopher Reeve started Juilliard.

1973: Accepted into Juilliard's Advanced Program

In 1973, Christopher Reeve was accepted into Juilliard's Advanced Program along with Robin Williams, being the only two students selected. They subsequently became close friends.

1974: Auditioned for Love of Life

In 1974, Christopher Reeve auditioned for the soap opera 'Love of Life' to pay tuition fees at Juilliard, leading to increased screen time and scheduling conflicts.

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1974: Graduated from Cornell

In 1974, after completing his first year at Juilliard, Reeve graduated from Cornell in the Class of 1974 as a double major in English and music theory.

1975: Juilliard end

In 1975 Reeve left Juilliard to fulfill his contract with CBS.

1975: Exploration of Scientology

In 1975, Christopher Reeve briefly explored Scientology but chose not to become a member. He later voiced criticism of the organization.

1976: Purchased first aircraft

In 1976, Christopher Reeve, a licensed pilot, purchased his first aircraft, a second-hand Cherokee 140.

December 20, 1979: Birth of Matthew Exton Reeve

On December 20, 1979, Christopher Reeve and Gae Exton's son, Matthew Exton Reeve, was born in London.

1979: Special Olympics Coach

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

November 25, 1983: Birth of Alexandra Reeve

On November 25, 1983, Christopher Reeve and Gae Exton's daughter, Alexandra Reeve, was born in London.

1983: Election to Actors' Equity Association Council

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

1985: Involvement in horse riding began

Christopher Reeve began his involvement in horse riding in 1985 after learning to ride for the film Anna Karenina. He took antihistamines due to his initial allergy to horses.

June 1986: Emergency Appendectomy

In June 1986, Christopher Reeve had an emergency appendectomy, which affected his workout regimen for Superman IV.

February 1987: Reeve and Exton separated

In February 1987, Christopher Reeve and Gae Exton separated amicably, with joint custody of their children.

June 1987: Met Dana Morosini

In June 1987, Christopher Reeve met his future wife, Dana Morosini, a singer and actress.

1987: Protest in Chile

In late 1987, Christopher Reeve flew to Santiago, Chile, and helped lead a protest march against dictator Augusto Pinochet, who threatened to execute 77 actors. He was later awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of Bernardo O'Higgins.

1988: Estrangement from Father

Between 1988 and 1995, Christopher Reeve barely spoke to his father, Franklin.

1989: Began eventing

By 1989, Christopher Reeve began eventing, and his allergies to horses soon disappeared.

1989: Joining the Creative Coalition

In 1989, Christopher Reeve joined the Creative Coalition (TCC), a liberal organization founded by Ron Silver, aiming to teach celebrities how to speak knowledgeably about political issues.

1989: Sold Chandelle and bought Sea Angel

In 1989, Christopher Reeve sold his Swan 40, Chandelle, and bought a sloop sailboat, Cambria 46, which he named the Sea Angel.

1991: Criticism of Donald Trump

In 1991, Christopher Reeve spoke out against Donald Trump's developing projects on West End Avenue. He was featured in the documentary "Trump: What's the Deal?", where he delivered a critical speech on the topic.

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April 1992: Married Dana Morosini

After therapy and overcoming his fears about marriage, Christopher Reeve married Dana Morosini in April 1992.

June 7, 1992: Birth of William Elliot Reeve

On June 7, 1992, Christopher Reeve and Dana Morosini had their son, William Elliot Reeve.

1992: Wedding as an Act of Faith

In 1992, Christopher Reeve described his wedding as his "first act of faith".

1993: Reeve contracts malaria

In 1993, Christopher Reeve contracted malaria while scouting filming locations in Kenya.

1993: Forum on Censorship in Tucson

In 1993, Christopher Reeve participated in a forum on censorship in Tucson, Arizona, held by People for the American Way. He and other actors performed a reading of a play that had led to a teacher's firing.

1994: Purchasing Eastern Express

In 1994, Christopher Reeve purchased a 12-year-old American thoroughbred horse named Eastern Express, nicknamed "Buck", while filming Village of the Damned and started training with the horse.

1994: Co-President of TCC

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

May 27, 1995: Equestrian Accident

On May 27, 1995, Christopher Reeve's horse refused a jump, causing Reeve to fall headfirst and shatter his first and second vertebrae. This resulted in a cervical spinal injury, paralyzing him from the neck down and halting his breathing.

June 1995: Spine Stabilization Surgery

In June 1995, Christopher Reeve was scheduled for an operation to stabilize his spine, which he knew had a fifty-fifty chance of survival. He experienced a moment of levity when Robin Williams visited him in character from the film "Nine Months", helping him laugh for the first time since the accident.

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December 1995: Return Home to Bedford, New York

In December 1995, Christopher Reeve moved back to his home in Bedford, New York after his accident.

1995: Training Level Events

In 1995, Christopher Reeve planned to do Training Level events with his horse Eastern Express, nicknamed "Buck".

1995: Reconciliation with Father

In 1995, Christopher Reeve reconciled with his father after his paralyzing accident.

1995: Paralyzed in Equestrian Accident

In 1995, Christopher Reeve was paralyzed from the neck down after being thrown from a horse during an equestrian competition in Culpeper, Virginia.

August 26, 1996: Time Cover Appearance

On August 26, 1996, Christopher Reeve was placed on the cover of Time for his activism, hosting the 1996 Summer Paralympic Games, and speaking at the Democratic National Convention.

1996: Preliminary Training

In 1996, Christopher Reeve planned to move up to Preliminary training with his horse Eastern Express, nicknamed "Buck".

1996: Reeve hospitalized for various health issues

In 1996, Christopher Reeve was frequently hospitalized for dysreflexia, pneumonia, a collapsed lung, and two blood clots.

1997: Reeve battles a severe ankle infection

In 1997, Christopher Reeve battled a severe infection in a small ulcer on his left ankle, which eventually spread to the bone, but was healed with specialist care at Albany Medical Center.

1997: Received Honorary Doctorate from Juilliard

In 1997, Christopher Reeve received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from Juilliard.

1997: Support for 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, but the bill was narrowly defeated.

1998: Interview on Life's Worth

In 1998, Christopher Reeve stated in an interview that he was "glad to be alive, not out of obligation to others, but because life was worth living."

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 this bill passed.

2000: Regaining Movement

Beginning in 2000, Christopher Reeve started to regain the ability to make small movements with his fingers and other parts of his body.

August 9, 2001: President Bush limits federal funding on stem cell research

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 date, and allotted approximately $100 million for it. Christopher Reeve initially called this "a step in the right direction".

2001: Reeve lobbied for the Human Cloning Prohibition Act of 2001

In 2001, Christopher Reeve lobbied for the Human Cloning Prohibition Act of 2001, advocating for somatic cell nuclear transfer research while opposing reproductive cloning.

2002: Improved Sensory and Muscle Function

By 2002, Christopher Reeve could feel the prick of a needle and sense hot and cold temperatures on 65% of his body. His ASIA Impairment Scale grade changed to C, indicating some degree of muscle movement and sensation.

2002: Reeve lobbied for somatic cell nuclear transfer research

In 2002, Christopher Reeve continued to advocate for somatic cell nuclear transfer research, emphasizing its importance for safe stem cell implantation.

2002: Matthew graduated from Brown University

In 2002, Matthew Reeve graduated from Brown University.

2002: Unitarian Service Attendance

In his 2002 book, "Nothing Is Impossible: Reflections on a New Life", Christopher Reeve said that he and his wife had regularly attended Unitarian services, starting in his late 40s.

Nothing is Impossible: Reflections on a New Life

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February 2003: Experimental Diaphragm Procedure

In February 2003, Christopher Reeve became the third patient in the United States to undergo an experimental procedure in which electrodes were implanted in his diaphragm to help him breathe without a ventilator.

July 2003: Reeve visits Israel to seek stem cell research advancements

In July 2003, Christopher Reeve visited Israel to explore stem cell research advancements, praising the country's proactive rehab facilities, medical schools, and research infrastructure.

November 2003: Public Appearance Without Ventilator

In November 2003, Christopher Reeve appeared in public without a ventilator for the first time since his accident, due to a diaphragm pacing device.

June 2004: Reeve defends somatic cell nuclear transfer at the United Nations

In June 2004, Christopher Reeve provided a videotaped message to the United Nations, defending somatic cell nuclear transfer research.

October 2004: Reeve's final days and death

In early October 2004, Christopher Reeve was treated for an infected pressure ulcer causing sepsis. On October 4, he made his last public appearance. On October 9, Reeve attended his son's hockey game and later went into cardiac arrest. He died on October 10, 2004, at the age of 52, with his death possibly linked to an adverse drug reaction.

August 9, 2005: Dana Reeve diagnosed with lung cancer

On August 9, 2005, Dana Reeve, Christopher Reeve's widow, was diagnosed with lung cancer despite being a non-smoker.

2005: Alexandra graduated from Yale University

In 2005, Alexandra Reeve graduated from Yale University.

2006: Cornell University honors Reeve with plaque and scholarship

In 2006, Cornell University dedicated a plaque to Christopher Reeve at the Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts and established the Christopher Reeve '74 Scholarship.

2008: Alexandra received Juris Doctor from Columbia Law School

In 2008, Alexandra Reeve received a Juris Doctor from Columbia Law School.

2014: Will graduated from Middlebury College

In 2014, Will Reeve graduated from Middlebury College.

2018: Drexel University College of Medicine establishes Christopher Reeve Endowment Award

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