Christopher Reeve: More Than Just Superman
A story of resilience, love, and the true meaning of heroism
I don’t usually watch documentaries, especially ones about celebrities. But Christopher Reeve wasn’t just any celebrity. He wasn’t from my generation—I was born in 1988—but thanks to my parents, I grew up watching his movies. And when I say his movies, I don’t just mean Superman. I also watched Somewhere in Time and Village of the Damned, both of which left an impression on me in their own way.
Like most people, when I think of Christopher Reeve, Superman is the first thing that comes to mind. He was unforgettable in that role. But he wasn’t just Superman. He was a man who lived, loved, lost, and persevered in ways that made him a real-life hero.
The Man Who Made Superman Real
The first time I saw him as Clark Kent, I was mesmerized. There was something about him—the way he played both the bumbling, nerdy reporter and the confident, powerful Superman so effortlessly. And those piercing blue eyes? Iconic.
One of the most memorable scenes for me was when Lois Lane dangles helplessly from a helicopter high above Metropolis. Clark Kent rushes into a revolving door, spins into his Superman suit, and soars into the sky to save her just in time. The physics of it? Impossible. The magic of it? Unmatched.
Even beyond the cape and the superhero persona, Christopher Reeve had an undeniable presence. As a young girl, I didn’t fully understand it, but I found him captivating.
Why I Had to Write This
I recently watched Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story, and I can’t stop thinking about it. It’s rare for a documentary to move me this deeply, but this one was different. It wasn’t just about his fame or his fall—it was about love, resilience, and the power of hope.
I vaguely remember, as a child, hearing whispers that his accident was a punishment for his pride or his fame. At the time, I didn’t question it—I was too young to understand. But watching this documentary, that memory resurfaced, and I felt anger at how people could say something so cruel. If anything, Reeve’s story wasn’t about punishment—it was about finding purpose in tragedy.
The Love That Defined Him
Before meeting Dana Morosini, Reeve had a long-term relationship with British model Gae Exton, with whom he had two children. Despite their years together, marriage wasn’t in the picture. Then, in 1987, he met Dana, an actress and singer. They married in 1992 and had a son together.
What struck me most was the concept of timing. How do we ever truly know when it’s the right time for love? Or who the right person is? Life changes in an instant, just as it did for Reeve.
The Fall That Changed Everything
On May 27, 1995, fate took a cruel turn. Reeve, a man who once moved so freely—running, skiing, riding—was suddenly paralyzed from the neck down.
He had been competing in an equestrian event in Culpeper, Virginia, when his horse, Buck, suddenly stopped at a jump. Reeve was thrown forward, landing on his head and shattering the first and second vertebrae in his neck.
Superman had fallen, and this time, not even the strength of a hero could overcome the Kryptonite of fate.
A Real-Life Hero
After the accident, Reeve briefly considered giving up. He even told Dana she should move on with her life. But she refused, looking him in the eyes and saying, “You are still you, and I love you.” That moment shattered me.
Love, true love, doesn’t run when things get hard. It stays. And Dana stayed.
Reeve could have spent the rest of his life bitter and broken. Instead, he chose hope. He became a fierce advocate for spinal cord injury research, co-founding the Reeve-Irvine Research Center and leading the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. He used his voice, his influence, and his pain to help others.
That’s what makes him a true hero—not just in movies, but in real life.
His Final Days & Legacy
On October 9, 2004, Reeve went into cardiac arrest due to complications from an infection. Dana rushed to the hospital, screaming “I love you” over and over before he took his last breath.
Less than two years later, on March 6, 2006, Dana lost her battle with lung cancer. Their son, William, lost both his parents far too soon.
Watching this unfold in the documentary was heartbreaking. But what stayed with me the most was the lesson in all of it: never take anyone for granted, and never give up hope.
A Quote to Remember
One of Reeve’s most powerful quotes is this:
“A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles. So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable. You play the hand you're dealt.”
His words hit differently now. They make me reflect on my own life, my own struggles. Who am I to give up on love? Or on hope? Maybe it’s all about waiting for the right timing. Maybe we all have our own battles, but that doesn’t mean we should stop believing in what’s possible.
If you haven’t watched Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story, I highly recommend it. It’s not just about Superman—it’s about resilience, love, and the human spirit. And that, to me, is what makes Christopher Reeve unforgettable.