Since Superman has come flying into our pop culture, we have had many different Superman actors play the Kryptonian superhero. Each one has brought something new and unique to the Man of Steel and his story of wanting to belong among humans and do what is right. Each one has also faced a villain either on the outside or within their own self. So, let’s take a look at some of the best to the worst Superman Actors ever to don the screen, whether it be big or small.
All Superman Actors From Best to Worst
1. Christopher Reeve
Back in the late 70s, Christopher Reeve was cast in ‘Superman: The Movie’ as Clark Kent/Superman himself. What he brought to the role was what made him the definitive Superman of that time. He was the title character, he was strong, willing to look out for anyone and everyone, and willing to face challenges when needed. As Kent, he played him as more clumsy, nerdy, and sweet. You could not have honestly told that his version of Superman and Kent were one and the same. Reeve would go on to play Superman for four films, which also included Superman 2, Superman 3, and Superman 4: The Quest for Peace.
There would have been a fifth movie in the franchise called ‘Superman Reborn’, but Revee never received a script. It would be around 16 years before we saw Reeve back in a Superman project, but this time on the small screen for the TV show ‘Smallville’ as Dr. Virgil Swann in a guest role. This saw him kind of pass the Superman torch to Tom Welling, who played Clark Kent on the show. So, if we had to pick our top pick, then Mr. Reeve, you are it.
2. George Reeves
Even though not many people will remember this version of the Superman actors, mostly due to time, this version of Superman is considered the classic among classics. Reeves stepped into the red and blues in 1951 in the feature film ‘Superman and the Molemen’, where Superman tries to save a small town after a drilling into the world’s deepest oil well occurs. From then on, he played this character from 1952 to 1958.
Over time, Reeves would make appearances both on screen and off, making personal appearances and for the government, like in the feature’ Stamp Day for Superman’, which he told children to invest in government savings stamps. Although he is not remembered among the later generations, he is still one of the best because of his looks and charm as Clark Kent. Hopefully, more people will look back at him as one of the prototypes of the Man of Steel.
3. Tom Welling
In this version of the Superman mythology, Welling plays Clark Kent before he took flight and put on the tights. Welling brings a new look at our favorite superhero that we’ve never seen before, as we follow his ups and downs of his teen years into adulthood, taking on the responsibilities of the Man of Steel. In this series, Welling shows us what it’s like when you don’t want the responsibility of taking on the evils of the world and wanting to be your own person. He is helped along the way with his friendship with people like Chloe Sullivan, Pete Ross, Jimmy Olson, and more.
He also had the support of his family, especially since they’ve been keeping Clark’s abilities secret from the world until it was the right time. We also see the complex relationship between his once-friend-turned-enemy, Lex Luthor, who goes on an ark himself with his own father, whom he wants the approval of. If you want to take a 10-season journey and experience the show that would shape a lot of superhero/comic book TV shows, then Smallville and Wellng’s version of Superman is right up your alley.
4. Tyler Hoechlin
This version of the Superman Actors made his debut in the TV series ‘Supergirl’ in season 2, and would go on to play an important role in the Arrowverse through Elseworlds and Crisis on Infinite Earths, along with leading his own show in ‘Superman and Lois’, in which we follow the life of Lois and Clark and their two sons. Hoechlin proves to flesh out this Superman, not only the cousin of Supergirl, but also a father and husband who wants to keep his family safe.
He is put to the test many times in the Arrowverse shows, and always rises to the occasion when evil is afoot, even if it puts a strain on his relationship with his sons. The one thing that stands out with this Superman is that we get to see him live out his life to the fullest, to the point he passes away in his own bed. If you want to see this Man of Steel, then check out ‘Superman and Lois’, wherever it is streaming.
5. Dean Cain
In the 90s, Warner Bros. television wanted something new and fresh with the Superman mythos; what we got was Lois and Clark: The Adventures of Superman. This starred Dean Cain as Superman/Clark Kent, as he just gets his start in Metropolis and the Daily Planet, while having a “will they, won’t they” relationship with Lois Lane, played by Teri Hatcher. The show lasted 88 episodes, ending on a cliffhanger they no one saw coming back then. Cain’s version was definitely a version of Clark, who was very much a fish out of water, being from Smallville, moving to the big city, and he took what he could with the help of Lois and sometimes Jimmy Olson.
Of course, Lex Luthor would have some kind of evil scheme that Superman needed to thwart, but he also took on the occasional random “monster of the week”. Cain would play Superman until 1997, but would come back to the world of Superman in the show ‘Smallville’ where he played Dr. Curtis Knox, an immortal doctor obsessed with making his wife immortal no matter the cost. Therefore, he makes the Superman Actors list ranking from best to worst.
The Other Superman Actors of the World
There are a lot of Superman actors who have played this character throughout the years in both live action and animated form. Actors like Nicolas Cage (Teen Titans Go! The Movie, The Flash), Kirk Alyn (Atom Man vs Superman, Superman), Tim Daly (Superman: The Animated Series), Henry Cavill (DCEU Superman), and more have shown their talent in playing the Man of Steel.
There are still more Superman actors to come to bring their take on the universal hero, especially as of late has James Gunn is ready to introduce the world to David Corenswet as the new Man of Steel, in DCU’s Superman. Are you excited to see this version of Superman? Who has been your favorite to wear the blue tights? Let us know!!
