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 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.
1944: The Great Escape History
The Great Escape II is based on the mass escape of Allied POWs from a German camp in 1944
September 25, 1952: Christopher Reeve Born
On September 25, 1952, Christopher Reeve was born. He later became an American actor, activist, director, and author.
1956: Parents' Divorce and Relocation
In 1956, Franklin and Barbara divorced, and Barbara moved with Christopher and his brother Benjamin to Princeton, New Jersey.
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".
1963: The Great Escape Film
The Great Escape II, unlike the 1963 film, depicts the search and prosecution of those responsible for the murder of 50 escapees
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: Started at Juilliard
In 1973, Reeve started studying at Juilliard in New York City, after convincing Cornell to count his first year at Juilliard as his senior year at Cornell.
1973: Accepted into Juilliard's Advanced Program
In 1973, Reeve was accepted into Juilliard's Advanced Program, where he became close friends with Robin Williams. They were the only students selected.
1974: Auditioned for Soap Opera
In 1974, Reeve auditioned for the soap opera "Love of Life" to pay for Juilliard tuition fees.
1974: Graduated from Cornell
In 1974, after completing his first year at Juilliard, Reeve graduated from Cornell as a double major in English and music theory.
1974: Touring with Juilliard
In early 1974, Reeve and other Juilliard students toured the New York City junior high school system and performed "The Love Cure".
1975: Exploration of Scientology
In 1975, Christopher Reeve briefly explored Scientology but ultimately chose not to become a member and later voiced criticisms of the organization.
1975: Left Juilliard
In 1975, Reeve had to leave Juilliard to fulfill his contract with CBS.
1976: Purchased first aircraft
In 1976, Reeve purchased his first aircraft, a second-hand Cherokee 140.
December 20, 1979: Birth of Son Matthew Exton Reeve
On December 20, 1979, Christopher Reeve's son, Matthew Exton Reeve, was born to Gae Exton in London.
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.
November 25, 1983: Birth of Daughter Alexandra Reeve
On November 25, 1983, Christopher Reeve's daughter, Alexandra Reeve, was born to Gae Exton in London.
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.
1985: Began Horse Riding
In 1985, Christopher Reeve began his involvement in horse riding after learning to ride for the film "Anna Karenina".
June 1986: Emergency Appendectomy
In June 1986, Reeve had an emergency appendectomy, affecting his ability to work out as much for "Superman IV".
February 1987: Separation from Gae Exton
In February 1987, Christopher Reeve and Gae Exton separated amicably, with joint custody of their children.
February 1987: Filming of Superman IV and Separation from Exton
In February 1987, after filming Superman IV, Christopher Reeve and Gae Exton separated, and Reeve returned to New York.
June 1987: Met Dana Morosini
In June 1987, Christopher Reeve met his future wife, Dana Morosini, a singer and actress.
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: Estrangement From Father
Between 1988 and 1995, Christopher Reeve and his father barely spoke to each other, marking a period of estrangement.
1989: Started Eventing
By 1989, Christopher Reeve had begun eventing in horse riding.
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.
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: Living Together Before Marriage
By 1990, Christopher Reeve and Dana Morosini were living together but Reeve hesitated to commit to marriage due to past family experiences.
1991: Criticism of Donald Trump's projects
In 1991, Christopher Reeve spoke out against Donald Trump's development projects on West End Avenue, as featured in the documentary "Trump: What's the Deal?"
April 1992: Marriage to Dana Morosini
In April 1992, Christopher Reeve married Dana Morosini.
June 7, 1992: Birth of Son William Elliot "Will" Reeve
On June 7, 1992, Christopher Reeve and Dana Morosini's son, William Elliot "Will" Reeve, was born.
1992: Wedding
In 1992, Christopher Reeve described his wedding as his "first act of faith".
1993: Contracted Malaria in Kenya
In 1993, while scouting filming locations in Kenya, Christopher Reeve contracted malaria.
1994: Training with Eastern Express
In 1994, Christopher Reeve trained with his horse Eastern Express, nicknamed "Buck", in preparation for eventing.
1994: Elected as co-president of the Creative Coalition
In 1994, Christopher Reeve was elected as a co-president of the Creative Coalition (TCC).
May 27, 1995: Horse Riding Accident
On May 27, 1995, Christopher Reeve suffered a horse riding accident during a competition, resulting in a cervical spinal injury that paralyzed him from the neck down.
June 1995: Spine Stabilization Surgery
In June 1995, Christopher Reeve underwent surgery to stabilize his spine after his horse riding accident. He also received a visit from his friend Robin Williams.
December 1995: Moved Back Home
In December 1995, Christopher Reeve moved back to his home in Bedford, New York, and began to adjust to his new life.
1995: Planned Training Level Events
In 1995, Christopher Reeve planned to participate in Training Level events with his horse, Buck.
1995: Paralyzing Accident
In 1995, Christopher Reeve was paralyzed from the neck down after being thrown from a horse during an equestrian competition. He used a wheelchair and ventilator for the remainder of his life.
1995: Reconciliation with Father
In 1995, after his paralyzing accident, Reeve reconciled with his father, Franklin.
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.
August 26, 1996: Time Magazine Cover
On August 26, 1996, Christopher Reeve was featured on the cover of Time magazine for his efforts in raising awareness about spinal cord injuries, hosting the 1996 Summer Paralympic Games in Atlanta and speaking at the Democratic National Convention.
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: Plans to Move to Preliminary Eventing
In 1996, Christopher Reeve planned to move up to Preliminary eventing with his horse, Buck.
1996: Hospitalizations for dysreflexia, pneumonia, collapsed lung, and blood clots
In 1996, Christopher Reeve was frequently hospitalized for dysreflexia, pneumonia, a collapsed lung, and two blood clots.
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: Infected ulcer on left ankle
In 1997, Christopher Reeve had a small ulcer on his left ankle become infected, eventually spreading to the bone and threatening amputation.
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: Honorary Doctorate from Juilliard
In 1997, Reeve received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from Juilliard.
1998: Interview on new life
In 1998, Christopher Reeve gave an interview where he discussed making the best of his new life following his accident, highlighting his busy schedule involving activism, film work, writing, public speaking, and parenting.
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: Regained Small Movements
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: 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.
2002: Improved Sensory Function
By 2002, Christopher Reeve could feel the prick of a needle and sense hot and cold temperatures on 65% of his body and his ASIA Impairment Scale was changed to C.
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: Matthew Exton Reeve graduates from Brown University
In 2002, Matthew Exton Reeve graduated from Brown University.
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.
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.
November 2003: Public Appearance Without Ventilator
In November 2003, Christopher Reeve appeared in public without a ventilator for the first time since his accident.
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.
October 4, 2004: Last public appearance
On October 4, 2004, Christopher Reeve made his last reported public appearance, speaking at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago on behalf of the institute's work.
October 9, 2004: Attended son's hockey game
On October 9, 2004, Christopher Reeve attended his son Will's hockey game before experiencing cardiac arrest later that night.
2005: Alexandra Reeve graduates from Yale University
In 2005, Alexandra Reeve graduated from Yale University.
2006: Cornell University Dedicates Plaque and Establishes Scholarship
In 2006, Cornell University dedicated a plaque to Reeve at the Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts and established the Christopher Reeve '74 Scholarship to support students in theater, film, music, and English.
2008: Alexandra Reeve receives a Juris Doctor from Columbia Law School
In 2008, Alexandra Reeve received a Juris Doctor from Columbia Law School.
2014: Will Reeve graduates from Middlebury College
In 2014, Will Reeve graduated from Middlebury College.
2018: Jane Seymour reveals relationship with Reeve
In 2018, Jane Seymour revealed that Reeve and Exton had broken up prior to filming Somewhere in Time, and during production, Reeve and Seymour fell in love.
September 25, 2021: Google Celebrates Reeve's Birthday with a Doodle
On September 25, 2021, Google celebrated Christopher Reeve's 69th birthday with a Google Doodle.
