How Christopher Reeve Shaped the Future: A Legacy Timeline
A detailed timeline of the impact and legacy of Christopher Reeve across different fields.
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.
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.
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: Christopher Reeve First Amendment Award established
In 1997, the Creative Coalition (TCC) established the Christopher Reeve First Amendment Award.
1998: Wrote About Relationship with Father
In 1998, Reeve wrote about his difficult relationship with his father, Franklin, detailing the pressures he felt to perform.
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.
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.
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: 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.
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.
2005: Christopher Reeve '70 Sportsmanship Award Established
In 2005, Princeton Day School established the Christopher Reeve '70 Sportsmanship Award, which is awarded during the Invitational Ice Hockey Tournament.
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.
March 6, 2006: Dana Reeve's Death
On March 6, 2006, Dana Reeve, Christopher Reeve's widow, died at age 44. Following her death, the Christopher Reeve Foundation was renamed the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation.
November 2006: Release of "Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut"
In November 2006, "Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut" was released on DVD. It was dedicated in memory of Reeve.
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: 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.
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.
2020: Christopher Reeve "Hot Topics" in Stem Cell Biology Symposium not held
In 2020, the Annual Christopher Reeve "Hot Topics" in Stem Cell Biology symposium, dedicated to stem cell research, was not held.
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.
2021: Christopher Reeve "Hot Topics" in Stem Cell Biology Symposium not held
In 2021, the Annual Christopher Reeve "Hot Topics" in Stem Cell Biology symposium, dedicated to stem cell research, was not held.
2023: Christopher Reeve Acting Award
In 2023, the Christopher Reeve Acting Scholarship, established in the mid-1990s, was renamed the Christopher Reeve Acting Award.
2023: Diaphragm Pacing Device Receives FDA premarket approval
In 2023, the diaphragm pacing device Christopher Reeve used received FDA premarket approval.
January 19, 2024: Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story Premieres at Sundance Film Festival
On January 19, 2024, the documentary about Christopher Reeve's life and the aftermath of his accident titled Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story premiered at the Sundance Film Festival.
October 25, 2024: Christopher Reeve: The Eternal Superman Documentary Released in France
On October 25, 2024, a French documentary about Christopher Reeve titled Christopher Reeve: The Eternal Superman was released on TCM Cinéma.
2024: Ivory Praises Reeve's Performance in The Remains of the Day
At the 2024 screening of The Remains of the Day, Ivory praised Christopher Reeve's performance, noting his talent was overshadowed by his role as Superman.
2024: Christopher Reeve "Hot Topics" in Stem Cell Biology Symposium not held
In 2024, the Annual Christopher Reeve "Hot Topics" in Stem Cell Biology symposium, dedicated to stem cell research, was not held.
