Biography
For thousands suffering with paralysis and spinal cord injuries, in one tragic moment, he morphed suddenly from an actor perfectly cast onscreen, to a real-life personal inspiration and a champion of medical research and healthcare reform. Standing six-foot-four and sporting a jaw as square as his illustrated predecessor, the then-unknown Reeve became an overnight success when he was cast in "Superman: The Movie" (1978) - most notable for his …
Latest Tv Credits
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Career Milestones
2004 | Directed the A&E special "The Brooke Ellison Story" based on the real life story of Brooke Ellison, who at age 11 suffered paralysis, but went on to earn her degree from Harvard | |
2004 | Reprised role as Dr. Swann on the WB series "Smallville" | |
2003 | Underwent surgery to have experimental electrodes implanted in his diaphragm, which extended his ability to breathe without a respiriator | |
2003 | Executive produced the PBS documentary series "Freedom: A History of Us" | |
2003 | Cast as Dr. Swann, a mysterious scientist with information on Clark Kent's origing, on the WB series "Smallville" | |
2002 | Second interview with Barbara Walters helps ABC win the week's rating race | |
2002 | Wrote second memoir "Nothing is Impossible: Reflections on a New Life," a collection of anecdotes and public speeches for which he received a Grammy nomination for Spoken Word Album | |
2000 | Appeared in controversial commerical for biotech company Nuveen airing during the Superbowl which depicted Reeves (via CGI) walking again | |
1999 | Wrote first post-paralysis memoir "Still Me," for which he won a Grammy for Spoken Word Album | |
1999 | Narrated the IMAX extreme sports film "Extreme" | |
1998 | First acting role since being paralyzed, a TV remake of "Rear Window" | |
1997 | Received star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (April 15) | |
1996 | Made public appearance as a presenter at the Academy Awards | |
1996 | Signed by HBO to direct a TV-movie, "In the Gloaming" (aired in April 1997) | |
1995 | First public appearance at The Creative Coalition's annual dinner in October | |
1995 | Was interviewed by Barbara Walters on ABC newsmagazine "20/20" in September | |
1995 | Paralyzed in a riding accident in May | |
| Hosted the Travel Channel's ecology series, "Earth Journeys with Christopher Reeve" | ||
1992 | Hosted the second season of the Discovery Channel's compilation documentary TV series, "The Hollywood Stuntmakers" | |
1990 | Turned down lucrative offer to do cigarette commercials in Japan | |
1987 | Screewriting debut "Superman IV: The Quest for Peace" | |
1985 | TV-movie debut, "Anna Karenina" | |
1984 | London debut in "The Aspern Papers", opposite Vanessa Redgrave | |
1980 | Played the leading role of Ken Talley in the Broadway production of Lanford Wilson's "Fifth of July" | |
1978 | Gained prominence in film in the title role of "Superman" | |
1977 | Film acting debut in "Gray Lady Down" | |
1976 | Broadway debut opposite Katharine Hepburn in "A Matter of Gravity" | |
| Returned to the United States; played Ben Harper on the CBS daytime serial drama, "Love of Life" | ||
| Lived in England for a time; worked as a stage hand | ||
| Did national tour of play, "Irregular Verb to Love", opposite Celeste Holm while doing graduate work at Juilliard | ||
1968 | Began lengthy recurring association with the Williamstown Theatre in Massachusetts | |
| Worked at Princeton's McCarter Theater after school in his teens | ||
| Raised in Princeton, New Jersey | ||
Awards
2004 | Directors Guild of America Award for Movies For Television and Mini-Series in The Brooke Ellison Story |
2003 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Nonfiction Special (Traditional) in Christopher Reeve: Courageous Steps |
1999 | Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries in Rear Window |
1998 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special in Christopher Reeve: A Celebration of Hope |
1998 | Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-series or Motion Picture Made for Television in Rear Window |
1997 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing For a Miniseries or a Special in In the Gloaming |
1997 | Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Informational Special in Without Pity: A Film About Abilities |
1978 | BAFTA Award for Most Promising Newcomer To Leading Film Roles in Superman |