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Reeve, Christopher (1952–2004)
Biography
Christopher Reeve, who glazed the screen playing the role of
Superman, was born on September 25, 1952, in New York to Franklin
Reeve (who was a writer and a professor) and Barbara Johnson (who
was a journalist). Near 1956, when Christopher was just four years
of age, his father divorced Barbara and left the home. Christopher,
his elder brother Benjamin and Barbara moved to Princeton, New
Jersey where she married to an Investment Banker Tristam Johnson a
couple of years later. However separated from his father, Chris and
his elder brother still was allowed to meet Franklin Reeve and they
spent high quality time with Franklin whenever they met, Franklin
always tried to teach good things whenever he met his children.
Christopher was an average student in study during his school and
high-school days but he was very much interested in acting (He even
had opportunities to work in plays and dramas staged in his school
and at the local theatre), he was a member of almost all the clubs
in his school and also played in ice hockey team (Which became his
favorite game). When Reeve was 15, he got an apprenticeship at the
Williams Town Theatre Festival, Massachusetts.
After finishing graduation he entered Cornell University for the
further studies. Chris had found an agent who helped him in managing
his study and also his work as a professional actor. At Cornell
University, Reeve studied Theaters in Britain and France, and also
secured a post in Old Vic Theatre in London. Along with his study,
Reeve worked in many dramas and plays and performed at various
renowned theaters. He gathered an experience of acting in through
variety of roles. His passion for acting helped him in securing a
position in the list of the students who were selected to study at
New York's Juilliard School of Performing Arts (the other person to
get selected was Robin Williams). At Juilliard, Chris studied under
the guidance of John Houseman. During his days at Juilliard, Chris
accepted a role in a television serial (a soap opera) to support his
study. He also got an opportunity to appear for an audition from
where he was selected for a role in a play 'A Matter of Gravity'
(which he wanted to perform eagerly). His performance in the play
and the serial helped him in gaining popularity and his work was
liked so much that, he started getting more and more offers for
interesting roles, this resulted in his stepping out of the
Juilliard School even before he could complete his final year of
study.
From year 1976, Chris started getting offers for roles (even though
few of them were for small roles) in movies. 'Gray Lady Down' was
the first movie he got a small role in. When Chris was in New York
during the production of 'My Life', he got an opportunity to appear
for an audition for a role in movie Superman in 1978. Reeve was
selected for the role of superman from the audition. Reeve
successfully portrayed the role of the real hero on the reel and his
acting was very much appreciated. Because of the role of Superman,
he became a superstar after his movie Superman in 1978.
After Superman in 1978, Reeve did few more movies (more than a
dozen) and worked in theater plays (about 100). Because of the
success of Superman I, Reeve was again considered for the role in
its sequel Superman II. Reeve continued giving performances in
movies and plays and accepted the roles he was interested in rather
than the offers that came from big banners and big directors, he
turned down many offers he had got to work in some small plays and
movies which offered him some off-bit character roles. He was
passionate about acting rather than the success he could have
attained through his talent.
Reeve was not only an actor; he also played an important role in
active politics. Reeve was a democrat and strong supporter of the
Democratic thinking. He was a member of many clubs, groups and
organizations. In his lifetime, Reeve took part in activities such
as protests, demonstrations, and rallies etc., which were in public
interest. He even won a special Obie Award in 1988 for his
successful efforts in freeing 77 artists from the death trap by
Pinochet Government. Reeve was also an environment and animal rights
activist.
Further in May 1995, while riding horse, Reeve couldn't release his
hands from the horse's bridle and fell down on his head. Reeve was
instantly paralyzed on the spot because of the injuries he received
to the upper vertebra. After that accident, Reeve who suited for the
roles of superhero was left immobilized and his life became
dependent on others. He was in complete stress. During this tough
time, his wife Dana helped him in facing all that was waiting for
him ahead in his life. He came up as a new hope for those who were
facing the same situation. Reeve decided to help those who were
suffering spinal injuries; he helped in establishing help centers,
awareness camps etc for those people. He was also selected as Vice
Chairman Of The National Organization On Disability in 1997. From
1996 to 2004, Chris wrote a couple of books, one of which was his
autobiography (which was a best seller).
The Superman of silver screen who was termed Man of Steel in real
life died on 10 October 2004. |
