Superman is arguably the most famous superhero of all time, but he’s also one of the trickiest to play. The role doesn’t afford an actor the benefit of a mask to better differentiate between crime fighter and alter ego. Plus, given the character’s origin of having escaped from a doomed planet far from Earth, those two personas can meld together in countless ways depending on the performer’s choices. Is Superman the “real” guy and Clark Kent the mask, or vice versa? Given these obstacles, along with the challenges of playing an inspirational ideal when entertainment increasingly demands “realism,” it’s no wonder there are fewer Superman adaptations than there are for Batman and Spider-Man.
And yet, these nine Superman actors stepped up, put on the cape and tights (or got in a recording booth wearing a figurative cape and tights), and leapt tall buildings in a single bound. Each of them found a way to leave their mark on an iconic figure and made us believe a man could fly.
George Reeves (“The Adventures of Superman”)
As more and more televisions found their way into family homes in the early 1950s, Reeves served as an inspiration to countless young children as the first to portray Superman on the small screen. Even with the era’s comparatively tiny production values, Reeves filled out the cape and boots nicely, providing not only Superman’s moral rectitude but also the necessary humanity that made the character so endearing to kids. As with Adam West’s portrayal of Batman in the 1960s, some modern audiences may find the performance a bit campy, but it was a necessary step in giving Superman a foothold in the American imagination beyond the comic books.
Christopher Reeve (“Superman,” “Superman II,” “Superman III,” and “Superman IV: The Quest for Peace”)
Reeve is the Superman against which all other Supermen are measured. While part of that legacy is attributable to the massive success of Richard Donner’s 1978’s “Superman,” the film wouldn't have been a hit in the first place if not for the lead’s sly performance. It’s one thing to be able to play the Man of Steel’s nobility, grace, and charm. It’s another to convincingly portray the Clark Kent aspect as well. Reeve absolutely understood how to make the Last Son of Krypton hide in plain sight. With his hunched shoulders, stooped nature, and knack for physical comedy, Reeve got that it wasn’t enough to make Clark “mild-mannered.” To sell that no one would recognize Superman, he had to craft two completely distinct characterizations, and he did so beautifully.
Dean Cain (“Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman”)
The best way to understand Cain’s take on Superman is that “Lois & Clark” creator Deborah Joy LeVine put him in a workplace romantic comedy. The formula works surprisingly well. That’s mostly because the mid-’90s series is truly a two-hander between Cain and Teri Hatcher as Lois Lane, where chemistry is more important than comic book action. Although there are villains of the week and people to save, Cain leans into the idea of “What if Superman was your boyfriend?” Given how many superhero shows we have today, it’s a shame more don’t follow this weekly rom-com’s lead.
Tom Welling (“Smallville”)
Welling is an oddity here, since the whole arc of “Smallville” is intended as a prequel. There is only Clark Kent here, before that persona ever became an alter ego. But Welling’s take does fit perfectly into the teensploitation craze of the early aughts—alongside peers like “The O.C.” and “Dawson’s Creek”—without sacrificing the comic book trappings. Welling was adept at being the calm center of a wacky world with outsize characters presenting new challenges every week. It wasn’t a flashy performance, but it kept fans coming back for 10 seasons.
Brandon Routh (“Superman Returns”)
If Routh had only ever played Ray Palmer (aka the Atom) in the CW’s Arrowverse, I guarantee that fans would say: “He’s good, but he would make an amazing Superman.” And they’d be right! Routh’s 2006 turn as the Man of Steel tends to get lost in the shuffle since he only got one movie—and a critical and financial disappointment at that. But he makes the most of his time in costume by imbuing the character with a loneliness and pathos that other adaptations rarely understand. Although his Clark Kent lives a bit in Reeve’s shadow, the actor’s understanding of what makes the last living Kryptonian feel uniquely human likely would’ve led to a distinctive stamp if Routh had had more opportunities to play the role.
Tim Daly (“Superman: The Animated Series”)
Daly’s voice work on “Superman: The Animated Series” (and subsequent animated DC projects like “Justice League”) is fascinating because it seems to exist in conversation with its animated cousin: Kevin Conroy as Batman/Bruce Wayne. Whereas Conroy uses different tones to delineate between the personas, Daly likes to use just one for his Superman and Clark Kent. This gives the performance the subtext of Superman being so morally upright, he won’t engage in the subterfuge of disguising his voice. While there’s a dryness to Daly’s delivery, it contrasts well against the larger-than-life circumstances the character faces in each episode.
Henry Cavill (“Man of Steel,” “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” and “Justice League”)
Like Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Man, Cavill as Superman feels like the right guy in the wrong franchise. Perhaps if Zack Snyder had been given the opportunity to see his superhero universe out from start to finish, Cavill (who first played the role in 2013’s “Man of Steel”) would have had the chance to play the lighter notes required to make the character truly sing. However, because Snyder takes a deconstructionist approach to ground the Man of Tomorrow, Cavill is largely tasked with playing anguish, pain, and loss. The result feels like an aloof god, torn over how close he should come to humanity and what it would mean to lead them to their better selves.
Tyler Hoechlin (“Supergirl” and “Superman & Lois”)
It takes a moment to get used to a Superman that isn’t clean-shaven, but Hoechlin’s Superman—introduced in the CW’s “Supergirl” and then leading his own series with 2021’s “Superman & Lois”—truly provided a nice change of pace. Rather than hitting only the rom-com elements of a “Lois & Clark,” Hoechlin’s Superman slots nicely into a family drama, as his character is both a husband and a father while also trying to save the world. Hoechlin exudes a lovely gentleness, melding a superhero who can rescue a sinking submarine with a husband who can open a difficult pickle jar.
Jack Quaid (“My Adventures with Superman”)
Quaid provides a perfect contrast to Daly’s vocal work as Superman. Whereas Daly is the upright stoic, “My Adventures with Superman” leans more youthful, and Quaid plays both Clark and Superman as a more modern man, complete with charming insecurities and relatable desires. Quaid’s work here reminds us that when Superman is at his best, it isn’t usually because he’s an untouchable god. Rather, he’s someone with superpowers who was raised among humans, and thus shares their humanity.
