6. Brandon Routh
Appeared in: Superman Returns, Crisis On Infinite Earths (Arrowverse crossover)
Brandon Routh got his big career break when he was cast as the title character in 2006’s Superman Returns. The movie was technically a sequel to the Christopher Reeve film series, but also a reboot of sorts that was supposed to launch its own chapter within the franchise. And from that sentence alone, it’s clear that were was a lot of pressure on it to succeed.
History hasn’t been kind to the movie, but we shouldn’t overlook Routh’s performance as the Man of Steel. It’s a tough task to play any role that once belonged to someone else (let alone one so beloved) but he did a great job, giving us a Kal-El that felt young and seasoned at the same time. While the stars just didn’t align as much as we hoped they would for Superman Returns, the fault did not lie with Routh as much as it did with its solid-but-not-particularly-great script.
He would get the chance to prove that years later when he reprised the role in the Arrowverse’s Crisis On Infinite Earths crossover event, playing a veteran version of Clark inspired by the Kingdom Come iteration of Superman from the comics. From the incredible outfit (that he pulled off to perfection), to the gritty performance he delivered, it was Routh’s moment to shine with stronger material, and he excelled at it; proving just how exceptional of a Superman he could truly be.
5. George Reeves
Appeared in: Adventures of Superman
We’ve talked a bit about Superman’s success on television, and it all began with the 1950s TV series Adventures of Superman. George Reeves would put on the House of El symbol for this one and for decades after that, he would be considered by many to be the definitive portrayal of the Man of Steel, and if you’ve seen the program, it’s easy to see why.
While Reeves’ versions of Clark Kent and Superman weren’t all that different from one another, he played the role in a way that captured that nobility that the character is known for. As Superman, he embodied what the hero was all about, portraying him as a kind, gentle hero who wasn’t afraid to teach those around him (even the viewers) a few important lessons along the way. As Clark, he would do the same, albeit with a little more humor as he protected his secret identity when around others.
The show evolved a lot throughout its six-season run, straying from its darker roots when it began filming in color and getting sillier in the process, causing some frustration among comic book fans. In spite of that, and the limitations of television at the time, Reeves delivered a hearty performance incredibly comic-accurate for the time, personifying the Man of Steel for a whole generation.