1. Tyler Hoechlin
Appeared in: Superman and Lois, Supergirl, The Flash, Arrow, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, Batwoman
Tyler Hoechlin joined the cast of Supergirl in 2016 and instantly proved any naysayers wrong when he brought a triumphantly comic-accurate Superman to life. He was strong, joyous, heartfelt, and even had that cheesy toothy grin that the Man of Steel is renowned for – the perfect antidote to the DCEU’s unnecessarily grim iteration. The script didn’t always do him justice in later appearances but Hoechlin’s portrayal was a breath of fresh air.
But it wasn’t until he led offshoot Superman and Lois that he truly got a chance to shine. The show is different from previous adaptations of the character as it shows us how a veteran Superman struggles to balance being the world’s greatest hero with being a parent to teenage sons, husband to Lois, and part of the Smallville community, showcasing layers of the character that we don’t often see.
Clark Kent can be serious and emotional, but Hoechlin balances that well with an endearing performance that conveys all of the qualities that makes Clark, well, Clark. And that’s where he shines best, gifting us a Clark Kent that is assured and heartfelt as a husband and father, but also still a complete dork – the nuances of which Hoechlin manages to bring to life with ease.
Tyler Hoechlin was a surprise to many as Superman, but he showed us all what he was capable of with a hero that can be corny and triumphant like the classic Man of Steel, and also deeply layered like his more modern counterpart. And that makes him the best Superman of this current generation, and indeed of all time.