Christopher D'Olier Reeve was a well-known American actor, film director, author, and activist. He is most famous for his portrayal of the title character in Superman.

Reeve was born in New York City and grew up in New Jersey. His interest in acting and theater began at just nine years old.

In 1976, he made his first appearance on Broadway.

After receiving critical acclaim for his roles in Superman and Superman II, Reeve turned down many action movie offers. Instead, he preferred to work on smaller films and portray more intricate characters.

His film credits include The Bostonians, Street Smart, and The Remains of the Day. He also performed in stage productions like Fifth of July on Broadway and The Aspern Papers in London's West End.

Following an accident during an equestrian event, Reeve became paralyzed from the shoulders down. He relied on a wheelchair for the remainder of his life.

In addition to acting, he also directed and starred in a TV adaptation of Rear Window. Reeve appeared in the series Smallville and penned two autobiographical books.

Throughout his career, Reeve was honored with numerous awards.