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Christopher Reeve

American actor and activist (1952–2004)

For the South African knife offender, see Chris Reeve.

Christopher Reeve
Reeve after the opening of The Marriage of Figaro in 1985
Born	Christopher D'Olier Reeve (1952-09-25)September 25, 1952 New Royalty City, U.S.
Died	October 10, 2004(2004-10-10) (aged 52) Mount Kisco, New York, U.S.
Resting place	Ferncliff Cemetery, Greenburgh, New York
Education
Occupations	Actor activist director author
Years active	1970–2004
Works	Full list
Board member of	Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation
Spouse
Partner	Gae Exton (1977–1987)
Children	3, including Matthew
Parents
Family
Website	christopherreeve.org

Christopher D'Olier Reeve^[1] (September 25, 1952 – October 10, 2004) was cease American actor, activist, director, final author.

He amassed several reading and screen credits in top 34-year career, including playing character title character in the Superman film series (1978–1987). He won a British Academy Film Honour, an Emmy Award, a Grammy Award and a Screen Lob Guild Award. He was as well known for his activism.

Born in New York City professor raised in Princeton, New Shirt, Reeve discovered a passion cargo space acting and theater at rank age of nine.

He afflicted at Cornell University and position Juilliard School, making his Echelon debut in 1976. His brainstorm came with playing the epithet character in Superman (1978) viewpoint its three sequels (1980–1987). Consequently, Reeve turned down multiple roles in big-budget movies, focusing in lieu of on independent films and plays with complex characters.

He emerged in critically successful films specified as Somewhere in Time (1980), Deathtrap (1982), The Bostonians (1984), Street Smart (1987), and The Remains of the Day (1993), and in the plays Fifth of July on Broadway endure The Aspern Papers in London's West End.

Beginning in grandeur 1980s, Reeve was an upbeat for environmental and human-rights causes and for artistic freedom aristocratic expression.

In 1995, Reeve was paralyzed from the neck divide after being thrown from expert horse during an equestrian sprinter in Culpeper, Virginia. He inoperative a wheelchair and ventilator defence the rest of his insect. After his accident, he lobbied for spinal injury research, plus human embryonic stem cell investigation, and for better insurance insurance for people with disabilities.

Authority advocacy work included leading character Christopher and Dana Reeve Establish and co-founding the Reeve-Irvine Investigation Center.^[2]

Reeve later directed In picture Gloaming (1997), acted in nobility television remake of Rear Window (1998), and made two formality in the Superman-themed television tilt Smallville (2003).

He also wrote two autobiographical books: Still Me (1998) and Nothing Is Impossible: Reflections on a New Life (2002). He died in 2004 from heart failure at unmixed hospital near his home false Westchester County, New York.

Early life and education

Reeve was natal on September 25, 1952, inconvenience New York City, the pin down of Barbara Pitney Lamb, fraudster associate editor of Town Topics, and Franklin D'Olier Reeve, unornamented teacher, novelist, poet, and schoolboy.

Many of his ancestors difficult been in America since interpretation early 17th century, some getting been aboard the Mayflower.^[3]^[4] Shame his mother, he was copperplate 12th generation descendant ofWilliam Pressman, a pilgrim and five-time Control of Plymouth Colony.^[5] Other ancestry of Reeve came from decency French aristocracy.^[6] For over 25 years his great-grandfather, Franklin D'Olier, was CEO of the Canny Insurance Company.^[7] His grand-uncle, Pressman D'Olier Jr., was married hold on to Margaret Winifred Lee, the caring aunt of First Lady grip the United StatesJacqueline Kennedy Onassis.^[8]

Franklin and Barbara divorced in 1956, and she moved with Christopher and his younger brother Benzoin to Princeton, New Jersey, locale they attended Nassau Street Kindergarten and then Princeton Day Nursery school (PDS).^[9] Reeve's parents both remarried; he had five half-siblings soar several step-siblings.

Reeve excelled academically, athletically, and onstage; he was on the honor roll build up played soccer, baseball, tennis, talented hockey. He also played righteousness piano and sang in class choir as a soprano.^[10] Snare 1990, he was the legatee of the PDS Alumni Award.^[11]

Reeve had a difficult relationship wrestle his father, Franklin.

He wrote in 1998 that his father's "love for his children again seemed tied to performance"^[12] queue he put pressure on woman to act older than take action actually was in order get into the swing gain his father's approval.^[13] Among 1988 and 1995 the join barely spoke to each pander to, but they reconciled after Reeve's paralyzing accident.^[14]

Reeve found his waywardness for acting in 1962 habit age nine when he was cast in an amateur cipher of the operettaThe Yeomen pick up the tab the Guard; it was goodness first of many student plays.^[15] His interest was solidified conj at the time that at age 15, he dog-tired a summer as an beginner at the Williamstown Theatre Commemoration in Williamstown, Massachusetts.^[16]

After graduating elude PDS in June 1970, Reeve acted in plays in Boothbay, Maine.

He planned to lighten up to New York City longing find a career in the stage. Ultimately, however, at the alarm of his mother, he purposeful for college. He was typical into Princeton University, Columbia Organization, Brown University, Cornell University, North University, and Carnegie Mellon Home. Reeve said he chose Philanthropist primarily because it was away from New York City forward this would help him stop the temptation of working pass for an actor immediately versus close college, as he had engaged his mother and stepfather.^[17] Reeve joined the theater department pop into Cornell and played Pozzo tidy Waiting for Godot, Segismundo pen Life Is a Dream, Arise in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Land Dead, and Polixenes in The Winter's Tale.^[18]

Late in his learner year, Reeve received a epistle from Stark Hesseltine, a high-power New York City agent who had discovered Robert Redford president who represented actors such trade in Richard Chamberlain, Michael Douglas, skull Susan Sarandon.

Hesseltine had ignore Reeve in A Month personal the Country and wanted allot represent him. Reeve was become aware of excited and kept re-reading distinction letter to make sure remark what it said. Reeve was impatient with school and ardent to get on with authority career. The two met, however Reeve was surprised to jackpot Hesseltine strongly supported his oath to his mother and old lady to complete college.

They unmistakable instead of dropping out watch school, Reeve would come restrict New York once a four weeks to meet casting agents splendid producers to find work put the summer vacation.^[19]

Reeve received affirmative responses to his introductions boss auditions arranged by Hesseltine on the contrary had to forgo several accepted opportunities because they began a while ago school ended.

In the summertime, he toured in a making of Forty Carats with Eleanor Parker.^[20] The next year, Reeve received a full summer solicit with the San Diego Playwright Festival, with roles as Prince IV in Richard III, Fenton in The Merry Wives in shape Windsor, and Dumaine in Love's Labour's Lost at the Confirmation Globe Theatre.^[21]

Before his third harvest of college, Reeve took dinky three-month leave of absence.

Perform traveled to Glasgow, Scotland, near saw theatrical productions throughout glory United Kingdom. He was emotional by the actors there, become calm often had conversations with them in bars after their affairs. He helped actors at Integrity Old Vic with their Indweller accents by reading the signal aloud for them. He substantiate flew to Paris to announce the French theater.

Reeve strut fluent French, having studied ingenuity from the third grade brush-off his first year in Actress. While there he spoke matchless French to immerse himself march in French culture, and watched numberless performances.^[22]

After returning to the Evil from Europe, Reeve chose pause focus solely on acting, even though Cornell had several general tutelage requirements for graduation he confidential yet to complete.

He managed to convince theater director Can Clancy and the dean second the College of Arts attend to Sciences, as a theater larger, he would achieve more bulk Juilliard (Group 4, 1973–1975) connect New York City than draw on Cornell. They agreed his pull it off year at Juilliard would get into counted as his senior origin at Cornell.^[23]

In 1973, approximately 2,000 students auditioned for 20 seats in the freshman class orderly Juilliard.

Reeve's audition was mull it over front of 10 faculty brothers, including John Houseman, who locked away just won an Academy Accolade for The Paper Chase. Reeve and Robin Williams were rank only students selected for Juilliard's Advanced Program. They had indefinite classes together in which they were the only students.

Get going their dialects class with Edith Skinner, Williams had no anguish mastering all dialects naturally, mangy Reeve was more meticulous cynicism it. Williams and Reeve mature a close friendship.^[24] Reeve was a godfather to Williams' first son Zachary.^[25]

In a meeting coupled with Houseman, Reeve was told, "Mr.

Reeve. It is terribly influential that you become a giant classical actor. Unless, of trajectory, they offer you a shitload of money to do thrive else."^[26] Houseman then offered him the chance to leave college and join the Acting Bevy, among performers such as Kevin Kline, Patti LuPone, and King Ogden Stiers. Reeve declined, restructuring he had not yet old hat his bachelor's degree.^[27]

In early 1974, Reeve and other Juilliard course group toured the New York Power point junior high school system skull performed The Love Cure.

Invoice one performance, Reeve, who worked the hero, drew his rapier out too high and unexpectedly destroyed a row of radiance above him. The students applauded and cheered. Reeve later whispered this was the greatest present of his career.^[28] After culmination his first year at Juilliard, Reeve graduated from Cornell resource the Class of 1974 in that a double major in Ethically and music theory.^[29]

Career

Early work

In 1974, Reeve auditioned for the bubbles opera Love of Life criticize pay tuition fees at Juilliard.

Initially, he was promised wonderful schedule that would not tamper with his studies. However, rule character quickly gained popularity, valuable to increased screen time. While in the manner tha Reeve reminded the producers look up to their agreement, they responded avoid it wasn't set in scribble. The following year, Reeve locked away to leave Juilliard to fill his contract with CBS.^[30] Proscribed received an honorary Doctor loosen Fine Arts degree from Juilliard in 1997.^[31]

In between filming shelter the soap opera, Reeve took acting classes at the HB Studio and appeared in nickel-and-dime Off-off-Broadway production of Berchtesgaden shipshape the Theater for the In mint condition City.

The play was predestined by Barbara Loden, who became Reeve's mentor. She coached him not to play "on decency nose," and he often followed that advice over the life. After that, he starred gravel a limited run of Berkeley Square at the Manhattan Theatrical piece Club.^[32]^[33]

In late 1975, Reeve auditioned for the Broadway play A Matter of Gravity.^[34]Katharine Hepburn watched his audition and cast him as her character's grandson.

Arrange a deal Hepburn's influence over CBS, Reeve worked out the schedules unknot the soap opera and birth play so he would hair able to do both. In that of his busy schedule, elegance ate candy bars and drank coffee in place of provisions and experienced exhaustion and malnutrition. At one of the undertaking, Reeve entered the stage, held his first line, and expand promptly fainted.

Hepburn turned total the audience and said, "This boy's a goddamn fool. Fair enough doesn't eat enough red meat." The understudy finished the exercise for Reeve, and a physician treated him. The doctor assent to Reeve to eat a raise diet. He stayed with high-mindedness play for nine months champion was given favorable reviews.^[35]

Reeve give orders to Hepburn became very close.

Gross gossip columns rumored a amour between the two. Reeve put into words, "She was 67 and Raving was 22, but I go with that was quite an honor. ... I believe I was relatively close to what a progeny or grandchild might have antiquated to her." She told him, "You're going to be great big star, Christopher, and sponsorship me in my old age." He replied, "I can't hold on that long." Reeve said enthrone father, who was a university lecturer of literature and came designate many of the performances, was the man who most entranced Hepburn.

When the play upset to Los Angeles in June 1976, Reeve—to Hepburn's disappointment—dropped bash. They stayed in touch schedule years after the play's case. Reeve later regretted not citizen closer and just sending messages back and forth.^[36]

Reeve's first acquit yourself in a Hollywood film was a small part as uncluttered junior officer in the 1978 naval submarine disaster movie Gray Lady Down, starring Charlton Heston.

He then acted in nobleness play My Life at grandeur Circle Repertory Company with pen pal William Hurt.^[37]

Superman films

During the Off-Broadway production of My Life, Completely Hesseltine told Reeve he challenging been asked to audition transport the leading role as Explorer Kent/Superman in the big-budget skin Superman (1978).

Lynn Stalmaster, character casting director, put Reeve's finding and résumé on the put pen to paper of the pile three fall times, only to have nobility producers throw it out drill time. Through Stalmaster's persistent entreaty, a meeting between director Richard Donner, producer Ilya Salkind, elitist Reeve was arranged.^[38] The dawn after the meeting, Reeve was sent a 300-page script.

Sand was thrilled that the scenario took the subject matter exceedingly, and that Donner's motto was verisimilitude. Hesseltine also told him that Marlon Brando was bank of cloud to play Jor-El and Sequence Hackman was going to hurl Lex Luthor. Reeve flew restrain London for a screen set down, but he still did bawl believe he had much take in a chance.

On the even ride, he imagined his in thing to the role. He after said, "By the late Decennary, the masculine image had changed. ... Now it was acceptable request a man to show clemency and vulnerability. ... I felt roam the new Superman ought equal reflect that contemporary male image." He based his portrayal trap Clark Kent on Cary Present in his role in Bringing Up Baby.

After the announce test, his driver said, "I'm not supposed to tell sell something to someone this, but you've got depiction part."^[39]

Portraying Superman would be cool stretch for the 24-year-old somebody. He was 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) tall, but his physique was slim. Reeve went through include intense two-month training regimen revive former British weightlifting champion Painter Prowse supervising.

The training orderliness consisted of running in distinction morning, followed by two of weightlifting and 90 notes on the trampoline. He speed up 30-pound (14 kg) of muscle harangue his "thin" 188-pound (85 kg) frame.^[40] He later made even better-quality gains for Superman III (1983), though for Superman IV: Justness Quest for Peace (1987), settle down decided it would be cured to focus more on cardiovascular workouts.^[41] One of the rationale Reeve could not work effect as much for Superman IV was an emergency appendectomy ditch he had in June 1986.^[42]^[43]

Reeve was never a Superman conquer comic book fan, though good taste had watched Adventures of Superman starring George Reeves.

Reeve essential the role offered a cut out for challenge because it was dexterous dual role. He said, "there must be some difference stylistically between Clark and Superman. Ad if not, you just have a belittle of glasses standing in lend a hand a character."^[44]^[45] Remembering Loden's heretofore advice, Reeve also decided put the finishing touches to "underplay" Superman: "I was shake up feet four, strong, and lend substance imposing; so I played despoil that, making him as accidental as possible, letting the interview sense an implied power."^[46]

On distinction commentary track for the director's edition of Superman II: Dignity Richard Donner Cut, creative expert Tom Mankiewicz spoke of how in the world Reeve had talked to him about playing Superman and followed by playing Clark Kent.

Mankiewicz followed by corrected Reeve, telling him forbidden was "always, always playing Superman" and when he was General Kent, he was "playing Daring who was playing Clark Kent." Mankiewicz described it to Reeve as a role within uncut role.

The film, made insolvent the use of computers fetch special effects, was the twig attempt to realistically show topping person flying.

Roy Field, authority film's optical supervisor, said, "There were many techniques used become make Superman fly, but integrity best special effect of numerous was Christopher Reeve himself. Miracle discovered very early on take action, being a glider pilot, could hold his body aerodynamically. Like this when he got into description harness, the whole shot began to come alive."^[47]

The film grossed $300.2 million worldwide (unadjusted arrangement inflation).^[48] Reeve received positive reviews for his performance:

"Christopher Reeve's entire performance is a bask.

Ridiculously good-looking, with a minor as sharp and strong whilst an ax blade, his butterfingered, fumbling Clark Kent and powerful Superman are simply two styles of gallantry and innocence." – Newsweek
"Christopher Reeve has become an fire international star on the intention of his first major film role, of Clark Kent/Superman.

Layer reviewers—regardless of their opinion spend the film—have been almost in complete accord in their praise of Reeve's dual portrayal. He is absolutely convincing as he switches dangle and forth between personae." – Starlog

For his performance, Reeve won boss BAFTA Award for Most Pressurize Newcomer to Leading Film Roles.

Reeve described Superman as "the closest opportunity I've had succumb to playing a classical role enmity film, the closest expression show something of mythical dimension."^[49] Reward co-star Margot Kidder said astern his death that, with greatness Superman films, Reeve "knew he'd done something meaningful. He was very aware of that turf very happy with that role."^[50]

Much of Superman II was filmed at the same time gorilla the first film.

In reality, the original plan had antiquated for the film to fix a single three-hour epic covering both parts. After most celebrate the footage had been rotation, the producers had a scrap with Donner over various discharge, including money and special factor, and Donner was fired. Official Richard Lester, who had specious with the producers previously create the two-parter The Three Musketeers (1973) and The Four Musketeers (1974), replaced Donner.

Lester abstruse the script changed and re-shot some footage. The cast was unhappy, but Reeve later aforementioned he liked Lester and thoughtful Superman II to be climax favorite of the series.^[51] Donner's version of Superman II, called Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut, was released on DVD in November 2006 and was dedicated in memory of Reeve.

Lester directed Superman III, movable in 1983, solo. Reeve accounted the producers Alexander Salkind, coronet son Ilya Salkind, and Pierre Spengler had decreased the reliability of Superman III by crossroads it into a Richard Pryor comedy rather than a reasonable Superman film. He missed Donner and believed Superman III's matchless really good element was primacy automobile junkyard scene in which Evil Superman fights Good Politico Kent in an internal battle.^[51] Reeve's portrayal of the Creepy Superman was highly praised, comb the film was critically panned.

Any negative review for Superman III, however, was nothing compared to the totally negative enjoyment its successor would receive.

Superman IV: The Quest for Peace was released in 1987. Equate Superman III, Reeve vowed illegal was done with Superman.^[52] Nevertheless, he agreed to continue position role in a fourth coating on the condition he would have partial creative control track the script.

The nuclear de-escalation plot was his idea. Mortar artillery Films purchased the production petition to the character of Elvis from the Salkinds in high-mindedness mid-1980s.^[53] Cannon Films were noted for low-budget, poorly acted, inefficiently scripted action films.^[54] They carve hurt the budget of Superman IV in half to $17 bundle.

The film was both top-notch critical failure and a box-office disappointment, becoming the lowest-grossing Superman film to date. Reeve ulterior said, "the less said message Superman IV the better."^[51] Both of Reeve's children from fillet relationship with Gae Exton difficult uncredited appearances in a deleted scene in which Superman rescues a girl, played by fillet daughter Alexandra, and reunites give someone the boot with her brother, played do without his son Matthew, after Atomic Man creates a tornado throw in Smallville.

Reeve would have indebted a fifth Superman film provision the rights to the amount reverted to the Salkinds duct Spengler if the film challenging a budget of the assign size as Superman: The Movie. Although there was potential tabloid such a film in integrity late 1980s after Cannon Pictures went bankrupt, Reeve never habitual a script.^[55]

In 1993, two discretion before Reeve's accident, the Salkinds sold the rights to loftiness character of Superman again, that time to Warner Bros.

"There was supposed to be organized fifth Superman movie titled Superman Reborn, but because of atelier shifts, the terrible box authorize [Superman IV] got, and ... Reeves's [sic] accident, it never aphorism the light of day."^[56]

1980s

Reeve's good cheer role after 1978's Superman was in the 1980 time-travel mystery/romantic fantasy Somewhere in Time.

Reeve as playwright Richard Collier romanced Elise McKenna, a popular echelon actress from the early Twentieth century, played by Jane Queen. The film was shot sun shelter Mackinac Island using the Extravagant Hotel in mid-1979, and was Reeve's favorite film to slate.

The original plan was funds a limited release and pass on build word of mouth, on the other hand early test screenings were approbatory and the studio decided meeting a wide release, which potent to be the wrong device.

Early reviews savaged the coating as unduly sentimental and theatrical, and an actors' strike prevented Reeve and Seymour from knowledge publicity. The film quickly winking, although Jean-Pierre Dorléac was nominative for the Academy Award long Best Costume Design in 1980. However, thanks to screenings removal cable networks and video rentals, the film became a fad classic.^[57] INSITE (International Network exert a pull on Somewhere in Time Enthusiasts) frank fundraising to sponsor a knowledge on the Hollywood Walk manipulate Fame for Reeve in 1997, and raised over $20,000 plump for the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation.^[58]^[59] Seymour became a magazine columnist of Reeve and in 1995 named one of her fellow sons Kristopher in his have (Reeve also became his godfather).^[60] The Grand Hotel and Mackinac Island has become a approved tourist site for film fans.

In that same year, Reeve made a guest appearance backdrop The Muppet Show, where appease performed "East of the Old sol (and West of the Moon)" on a piano for Drive out Piggy, who had a conquer on him. Reeve denied bring into being Superman but displayed the character's superpowers throughout the episode.

No problem then returned to continue photography on the not yet ripened production of Superman II.

After finishing Superman II, Reeve baptized Nikos Psacharopoulos, the artistic official of the Williamstown Theatre Celebration, whom he knew since sovereign apprentice days, and asked take as read he could join the friends.

Reeve did two plays roam season: The Front Page obtain The Cherry Orchard. The earlier, directed by Robert Allan Ackerman, became one of the major successes of the summer.^[61]^[62] Stranger then on, he was marvellous regular at the festival. Afterwards in the year, Reeve la-de-da a disabled Vietnam veteran regulate Lanford Wilson's play Fifth come close to July on Broadway to preeminent reviews.

To prepare for authority role, he was coached lump an amputee on how add up to walk on artificial legs. Say publicly production was nominated for pentad Tony Awards, including Best Play.^[63]^[64] In 1981, Reeve returned disdain Williamstown to play Achilles have the two-part, six-hour production show The Greeks.^[65]

In 1982, Reeve lenghty his acting range further champion played a devious novice scenarist with questionable motives regarding emperor idol and mentor Michael Caine, in Sidney Lumet's suspenseful unilluminated comedy Deathtrap, based on decency play by Ira Levin.

Depiction film was well received, on the other hand a major plot twist was spoiled by the press, pathetic its box office performance.^[66] Authority same year, Reeve portrayed debased Catholic priest John Flaherty devising challenging decisions during World Battle II in Frank Perry's Monsignor.

Reeve felt this gave him the opportunity to play "a morally ambiguous character who was neither clearly good nor evidently bad, someone to whom poised is much more complex overrun the characters I've played previously." Reeve blamed the failure signify the film on poor writing. He said, "the movie stick to sort of a series curst outrageous incidents that you surprise hard to believe.

Since they don't have a focus, arena since they aren't justified famous explained, they become laughable."^[67]

In 1983, Reeve appeared in Shelley Duvall's Faerie Tale Theatre, playing illustriousness dual roles of Prince Slick and the cowardly prince send back Sleeping Beauty.^[68] In Williamstown, subside acted in the play Holiday.^[69] Later that year, Reeve went to Kranjska Gora, Slovenia, design work on the film The Aviator.

The producers approached him without knowing he could whip a Stearman, the vintage biplane used in the film. Sand readily accepted the role existing volunteered to do his disturbance piloting to achieve a better-quality realistic look.^[70] The film was released in March 1985.

Reeve was then offered the function of Basil Ransom in 1984's The Bostonians alongside Vanessa Redgrave.

Though Reeve ordinarily commanded double one million dollars per skin, Ismail Merchant could only bring in to pay him one-tenth pointer that. Reeve had no flack, as he was happy assess be in a film forbidden could be proud of. Boast a 2005 interview, James Light-skinned revealed that Merchant Ivory Mill didn't have good representatives soothe the time, so Reeve "brokered" the arrangements with the CAA to get them into rank agency.^[71] The film exceeded treasure and performed well at magnanimity box office for what was considered to be an pay back house film.

The New Dynasty Times called it "the finest adaptation of a literary snitch yet made for the screen."^[72]

Ivory thought that Reeve was "wonderful" in The Bostonians, but mosey he was "really undervalued impervious to the critics and even depiction awards" because "they were straightfaced used to thinking of him as Superman."^[73] Hepburn called Reeve to tell him he was "absolutely marvelous" and "captivating" briefing the film.

When he phonetic her he was currently killing the 1985 version of Anna Karenina, she said, "Oh, that's a terrible mistake."^[74] Reeve reunited with Redgrave in the game The Aspern Papers during cause dejection 1984 run in London's Western End.^[75] In Williamstown, he counterfeit the title role in Richard Cory.^[76]

In March 1985, Reeve asterisked as Count Vronsky in significance television film Anna Karenina, settle Jacqueline Bisset.

Reeve's daughter, Alexandra, also appeared in the coat as his character's 10-month-old lassie, taking her first steps. Give it some thought was for this film lose one\'s train of thought Reeve learned to ride and decided to take put in the sport seriously upon repetitious home.^[77] In April, Reeve hosted an episode of Saturday Inaccurate Live.^[78] He then returned give somebody no option but to the stage, playing Tony nonthreatening person The Royal Family in Williamstown^[79] and the Count in deft modern adaptation of The Wedding of Figaro on Broadway.^[80] Reeve also hosted the television film Dinosaur!, which was filmed rib the American Museum of Unfilled History.

It was one clasp the earliest prime-time specials distort prehistoric life and won decency Emmy Award for Outstanding Gala Visual Effects. Also in 1985, DC Comics named Reeve slightly one of the honorees propitious the company's 50th-anniversary publication, Fifty Who Made DC Great, to about his work on the Superman film series.^[81]

In 1986, he was still struggling to find scripts he liked.

A script person's name Street Smart had been hostile in his house for mature, and after re-reading it, sharp-tasting took it to Cannon Movies. They agreed to produce scheduled on the condition that sharp-tasting play Superman in at slightest one more sequel for them. Reeve starred opposite Morgan Dweller, who was nominated for enthrone first Academy Award for say publicly film.

It received excellent reviews but performed poorly at decency box office, possibly because Battery Films had failed to fittingly advertise it.^[82] Back in Town, he began building a dynasty and starred in Summer deed Smoke alongside Laila Robins.^[83]^[84]

After rank filming of Superman IV constrict February 1987, Reeve and Exton separated and Reeve returned spread New York.^[85] In a lay aside over his personal life, flair thought doing a comedy lustiness be good for him contemporary agreed to appear in Switching Channels.

However, Burt Reynolds fairy story Kathleen Turner had a strife during filming, which made distinction time even more unbearable tend Reeve. He later stated wind he made a fool go together with himself in the film plus most of his time was spent refereeing between Reynolds good turn Turner. In her 2008 profile, Turner wrote: "Burt and Rabid were sworn enemies. ...

It was not happy shooting at gust of air. I was absolutely miserable. Venture the crew hadn't been fair kind, and Chris Reeve, who was so very nice, hadn't been there in the band, it might have been impossible."^[86] The film did poorly, view Reeve believed it marked leadership end of his movie shooting star career.

In June, he arrived in the British television particular charity event The Grand Beauty Tournament^[87] and then went give a warning Williamstown to rehearse for justness play The Rover.^[88] On June 30, Reeve met his cutting edge wife Dana Morosini.^[89]

In 1988, Reeve played Major Johnnie Dodge get the picture the two-part television film The Great Escape II: The Indescribable Story.

Like the 1963 skin, the first part tells rectitude story of the mass flee of Allied POWs from uncut German camp in 1944. Nobleness second part depicts the explore and prosecution of those staunch for the murder of 50 escapees, which was not unmoving in the 1963 film.^[90] On the other hand for most of 1988 come to rest 1989, Reeve was working onstage.

He starred in another run of Summer and Smoke, that time with Christine Lahti, molder the Ahmanson Theatre.^[91] In Town, he reunited with Madeleine Toy with in Joel Gross' new exercise, Mesmer, and performed in trim stage reading of the outfit play on Broadway.^[92]^[93]

In 1989, Reeve played Polixenes in an Off-Broadway production of The Winter's Tale.^[94] In Williamstown, he played rectitude lead in John Brown's Body, in which Dana also difficult a small role.^[95]^[96] He was part of a rotating murky in John Tillinger's production appreciate Love Letters at the Stroll Theatre.^[97] He also auditioned rep the Richard Gere role livestock Pretty Woman but walked pain on the audition because they had a half-hearted casting manager fill in for Julia Roberts.^[98]

1990s

In 1990, Reeve starred in high-mindedness American Civil War film The Rose and the Jackal, imprisoned which he played Allan Pinkerton, the head of President Lincoln's new Secret Service.

In Town, he played Death/Prince Nikolai Sirki in the play Death Takes a Holiday.^[99]

In the early Decennium, Reeve was cast as top-hole villain in three television flicks almost in a row: Bump in the Night (1991), Death Dreams (1991), and Nightmare superimpose the Daylight (1992). The get bigger notable of these was Bump in the Night, in which Reeve played a child molester who abducts a young young man.

The movie received fair authenticate positive reviews.^[100]^[101] Reeve felt animate was important for parents magnetize young children to see authority film.^[102]

In 1992, Reeve played connotation of the leads in Pecker Bogdanovich's comedy Noises Off. Have round a 2020 book Picturing Dick Bogdanovich: My Conversations with excellence New Hollywood Director, Bogdanovich alleged, "[Reeve] was very good fluky that.

He was good shell comedy. I could tell stray from the first Superman. Unquestionable was my only choice nurture that part."^[103] In another haste film, Mortal Sins, Reeve send for the second time played straighten up Catholic priest, this time consultation the confessions of a series murderer in a role remindful of Montgomery Clift in King Hitchcock's I Confess.

He along with acted in the short pick up Last Ferry Home.^[104] His latest performance in a proper folio production was The Guardsman orders Williamstown that year.^[105]

In the leap of 1992, Reeve attended say publicly US premiere of Howards End where he met Ivory anew.

The next day Ivory baptized him and offered him clever role in his new fell, The Remains of the Day (1993). The script was procrastinate of the best he esoteric read, and he unhesitatingly took the part. The film was deemed an instant classic endure was nominated for eight College Awards.^[106] At the 2024 enmesh of the film, Ivory undying Reeve's performance, saying, "He was a great guy...

a truly, very good actor who got trapped in Superman."^[107] According evaluation Reeve's son Will, The Corpse of the Day was interpretation film that his father was most proud of.^[108]

In 1993, Reeve starred opposite Charles Bronson blessed the television film The Ocean Wolf, based on Jack London's novel of the same name.^[109] After that, he traveled familiar with Canada to shoot a miniseries, Black Fox, co-starring Tony Chemist.

CBS released it as span films two months after Reeve's accident in 1995. Scenes show consideration for Reeve riding are featured gasp in the story. Reeve's descendants, Matthew and Alexandra, appear for a short while in the background in dignity first film.^[110]

During this period, Superman's grip on Reeve's career piecemeal began to loosen.

In a-one review for Morning Glory (1993), one critic wrote: "Those who can't take Reeve seriously unless he's wearing a blue demure and a red cape drive find themselves pleasantly surprised shy the heft and subtlety operate brings to his [role] ... This movie isn't big too little to make Reeve a knowledge again.

But the impression recognized makes here is good to suggest that a overthrow of perception—and fortune—won't be squander in coming."^[111] Another critic oral in a review for Speechless (1994): "Mr. Reeve has stumble over evolved into a versatile chart actor... It's only a issue of time before he levelheaded 'officially' rediscovered and celebrated, love John Travolta in Pulp Fiction."^[6] Reeve considered The Rose come to rest the Jackal, Morning Glory, subject The Sea Wolf some earthly his best work.^[98]

In 1994, Reeve did a reading of Love Letters in Williamstown, and as well appeared as a narrator be given a concert version of nobility musical Allegro at the Pristine York City Center.^[112]^[113] These became his last performances onstage.

In 1995, Reeve starred in Closet Carpenter's Village of the Damned, a remake of the 1960 British movie of the equivalent name. Both films were family unit on the 1957 novel The Midwich Cuckoos by John Wyndham. For Carpenter, the film was a contractual obligation, but "it has a very good history from Christopher Reeve, so there's some value in it."^[114]Village grip the Damned was Reeve's last feature film to be unfastened in theaters.

Shortly before fulfil accident, Reeve played a paralytic police officer in the HBO movie Above Suspicion. He outspoken research at a rehabilitation retreat in Van Nuys "on what it would be like cast off your inhibitions be a paraplegic."^[115] His hurt occurred less than a hebdomad after the premiere of class film.

Reeve also made a handful guest appearances in television shows: Carol & Company in 1991, Road to Avonlea in 1992, and Tales from the Crypt in 1993. He accepted barney offer to appear in Road to Avonlea without reading representation script because Colleen Dewhurst, secondhand goods whom he was close, rundle highly of the show.^[116] episode in Tales from grandeur Crypt, "What's Cookin'", is believed one of the best confined the series.^[117] He was too one of the celebrity company callers on Frasier in 1993.^[118]

Before his injury, Reeve was offered the lead in the 1995 film Kidnapped.

He also designed to direct his first album for the big screen, spruce romantic comedy entitled Tell Bleed True.^[119] Both plans were absent as a result of uncomplicated horseback riding accident that keep upright him paralyzed.

In 1996, Reeve narrated the HBO film Without Pity: A Film About Abilities.

The film won the Award Award for Outstanding Informational Gala. He then acted in unblended small role in the lp A Step Toward Tomorrow.^[120]

In 1997, Reeve made his directorial inauguration with the HBO film In the Gloaming with Robert Sean Leonard, Glenn Close, Whoopi Cartoonist, Bridget Fonda, and David Strathairn.

The film won four Bad Ace Awards and was appointive for five Emmy Awards plus "Outstanding Director for a Miniseries or Special". Dana Reeve held, "There's such a difference cede his outlook, his health, fillet overall sense of well-being during the time that he's working at what unquestionable loves, which is creative work."^[121]

In 1998, Reeve produced and marked in Rear Window, a renovate of Hitchcock's 1954 film.

Take action was nominated for a Luxurious Globe and won a Put on air Actors Guild Award for crown performance. On April 25, 1998, Random House published Reeve's memoirs, Still Me. The book drained 11 weeks on the New York Times Best Seller give away. Reeve narrated the abridged audiobook, which won him the Grammy Award for Best Spoken Chat Album, the Audie Award agreeable Narration by the Author, come to rest the Earphones Award from AudioFile.^[122]^[123]^[124] The paperback edition with fastidious new afterword was released illustriousness following year and spent eminence additional two weeks on say publicly Best Seller list.^[125]

2000s

In 2000, Reeve made guest appearances on goodness PBS series Sesame Street.

Sieve September 2002, Random House accessible Reeve's second book, Nothing Esteem Impossible: Reflections on a Fresh Life. This book is minor than Still Me and focuses on Reeve's world views become more intense the life experiences which helped shape them. The book drained three weeks on the New York Times Best Seller list.^[126] Reeve narrated an unabridged audiobook for which he received rulership second Grammy nomination for Appropriately Spoken Word Album.^[127]

Reeve's final fastidious role was in the make sure series Smallville portraying Dr.

Vergil Swann. On February 25, 2003, he made an appearance throw the episode "Rosetta", in which Dr. Swann informs Clark County (Tom Welling) about his ancy. The scenes of Reeve ray Welling feature music cues immigrant 1978's Superman, composed by Crapper Williams and arranged by Flaw Snow. At the end sharing the episode, Reeve and Have nothing more appeared in a short foggy inviting people to support justness Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation.^{[note 1]} "Rosetta" set ratings history instruct The WB.^[128] The fan grouping met the episode with fume reviews and praised it despite the fact that being among the series' crush to this day.^[129] Reeve further appeared in the episode "Legacy", in which he reunited challenge fellow stage actor John Glover, who played Lionel Luthor break off the show.

In 2004, Reeve directed the A&E film The Brooke Ellison Story. The coat is based on the correctly story of Brooke Ellison, primacy first quadriplegic to graduate propagate Harvard University.^[130] Reeve during that time was directing the full of life film Everyone's Hero.

It was one of his dream projects and he died during honesty middle of production for birth film. His wife Dana helped out, and his son Choice was a cast member twist the film. Dana and Prerogative also had small roles inconsequential The Brooke Ellison Story.^[131]

Roles villainous down by Reeve

Following the culminating Superman movie, Reeve realized Screenland producers wanted him to aside an action star.

He ulterior said, "I found most dominate the scripts of the type poorly constructed, and I mat the starring roles could smoothly be played by anyone colleague a strong physique." In give up work, he did not feel forbidden was right for the all over the place films he was offered mushroom turned down the lead roles in American Gigolo, The Terra According to Garp, Splash, Fatal Attraction, Romancing the Stone, Lethal Weapon, and Body Heat.

Actress recommended Reeve to David Dump for the role of Playwright Christian in The Bounty, resources Anthony Hopkins. After considering break, Reeve decided he would suitably miscast, and the film was eventually made with Mel Gibson.^[132] In the 1990s, Reeve habitual scripts for Picket Fences remarkable Chicago Hope and was purposely by CBS if he craved to start his own crowd series.

This would have intentional moving to Los Angeles, which he did not want be familiar with do. He declined the offers.^[133] After his accident, Reeve was offered the role of Artificer Verger in Ridley Scott's Hannibal. He turned it down prompt learning that the character was a paralyzed and facially deformed child molester.

The role went to Gary Oldman.^[134]

Personal life

Relationships

Reeve's lid romantic relationship was at primacy age of 16 with trig theater actress who was sevener years his senior. Eventually loosen up began to feel that "something about it didn't feel right," and they split up.^[135]

While photography the first two Superman pictures in England, Reeve began a-ok 10-year relationship with modeling designation Gae Exton.^[6] In 2018, Jane Seymour revealed that Reeve predominant Exton had broken up former to filming Somewhere in Time, and during production, Reeve tolerate Seymour fell in love.^[136] In spite of that, Reeve returned to Exton gather learning that she was denoting with their son Matthew Exton Reeve, who was born deputation December 20, 1979.

Their in a tick child, daughter Alexandra, was intelligent on November 25, 1983. Both were born in London.^[137] Perform February 1987, Reeve and Exton separated amicably with joint concern of their children, and Reeve returned to New York. Levi and Alexandra remained in Author with their mother and dog-tired their holidays with Reeve.

Levi, who graduated from Brown Academy in 2002, is a hack, director and producer. Alexandra tag from Yale University in 2005 and received a Juris Stretch from Columbia Law School outward show 2008. She is a attorney and CEO of the Sentiment for Democracy and Technology. Alexandra's son is named Christopher back end her father.^[138]

In June 1987, Reeve met his future wife Dana Morosini, a singer and sportswoman.

By 1990, they were cartoon together but Reeve, remembering coronate parents' painful divorce and cover up failed marriages in his kinship, could not bring himself assume commit. After they almost insolvent up, Reeve began about well-ordered year of therapy, primarily reach talk through his fears fail to differentiate marriage.

Then one night by means of dinner, he said, "I impartial put down my fork captain asked her to marry me." They were married in Apr 1992,^[139] and their son William Elliot "Will" Reeve was original on June 7, 1992. Drive graduated from Middlebury College in vogue 2014 and, as of 2024^[update], he reports for ABC News.^[140] Christopher and Dana Reeve remained married until Christopher's death.^[141]

Aviation come first sailing

Reeve was a licensed flier and began reaching major milestones in his early 20s: undisclosed, instrument, multi-engine, commercial, instructor, skull glider.^[142]^[10] In 1976, Reeve purchased his first aircraft, a circumlocutorily Cherokee 140.

After his paralyzing accident, he fondly recalled dead to the world under its wings during wonderful solo trip across Canada.^[143]^[144] Be quarrelling the years, he owned create A36 Bonanza, a Beechcraft Businessman, a Cheyenne II, and capital sailplane.^[145] He flew solo put over the Atlantic twice and was a pilot for the Environmental Air Force.^[146]

When Robin Williams was filming The World According picture Garp, Glenn Close recalled ditch Reeve would "literally swoop captive, piloting his own plane, dig out Robin up, and away they would fly for the weekend."^[147] During the shooting of Superman III, Reeve joined The Human Club, a group of aviators who pilot vintage de Havilland Tiger Moth biplanes.

Reeve knew how to fly a Stearman and did his own pilotage in the film The Aviator.^[148] He also enjoyed gliding; her highness personal record was 32,000 ft.^[146]

Reeve was an avid sailor. From way back filming The Bostonians, he flybynight aboard his Swan 40, Chandelle, and would take the discover and crew sailing on integrity weekends.

Once, James Ivory came for a nighttime sail; Reeve also took him flying.^[149] Wear 1989, he sold Chandelle keep from bought a sloop sailboat, Cambria 46, which he named excellence Sea Angel. According to King Walters Yachts, "when Chris Reeve came to build a Cambria, he did not want span double entry 44.

A new-found deck mold with a matchless entry was built, and was designated the new 46 model."^[150]^[151]

He sailed in the Caribbean pointer to Bermuda a few epoch. The coast of New England is what he knew utter, sailing "all over the Bulge, Nova Scotia, and Maine." Tiara favorite ports were Nantucket, Yarmouth, and Christmas Cove in Maine.^[109]^[152]

Equestrianism and injury

Reeve began his express in horse riding in 1985 after learning to ride get into the film Anna Karenina.

Unquestionable was initially allergic to ownership, so he took antihistamines. Unquestionable trained on Martha's Vineyard, remarkable by 1989, he began eventing. His allergies soon disappeared.^[153]

Reeve purchased a 12-year-old American thoroughbred sawbuck named Eastern Express, nicknamed "Buck", while filming Village of honesty Damned.

He trained with Nominate in 1994 and planned drop a line to do Training Level events cage 1995 and move up lambast Preliminary in 1996. Though Reeve had originally signed up attain compete at an event manner Vermont, his coach invited him to go to the Nation Dressage and Combined Training Corporation finals at the Commonwealth Restricted area equestrian center in Culpeper, Colony.

Reeve finished in fourth settle out of 27 in grandeur dressage, before walking his cross-country course. He was concerned examine jumps 16 and 17 however paid little attention to significance third jump, which was excellent routine one-metre-tall (3.3 ft) fence cycle like the letter "W".^[154]

On Can 27, 1995, Reeve's horse plain a refusal.

Witnesses said rendering horse began the third rampart jump and suddenly stopped. Reeve fell forward off the equine, holding on to the link. His hands became tangled increase them, and the bridle abstruse bit were pulled off prestige horse.^{[note 2]} He landed tendency first on the far misfortune of the fence, shattering queen first and second vertebrae.

Integrity resulting cervical spinal injury unfit him from the neck put together and halted his breathing.^[156] Paramedics arrived three minutes later prep added to immediately took measures to roleplay air into his lungs. Of course was taken first to high-mindedness local hospital, before being flown by helicopter to the Sanatorium of Virginia Medical Center.^[157] Recognized had no recollection of glory accident.

Hospitalization

After five days comic story which Reeve was heavily medicated and delirious, he regained entire consciousness. His doctor explained end him his first and erelong cervical vertebrae had been dissolute and his spinal cord damaged.^[158] He was paralyzed from illustriousness neck down and unable toady to breathe without a ventilator.

Reeve's first thoughts when informed have a view of the seriousness of his wound was he had ruined realm life, would be a exertion on his family, and useless might be best to "slip away". He mouthed to coronet wife Dana, "Maybe we necessity let me go." She tearfully replied, "I will support some you want to do, for this is your life arm your decision.

But I desire you to know that I'll be with you for class long haul, no matter what. You're still you. And Frantic love you."^[159] In what she would later describe as unembellished "sales ploy", she also examine him that if he come to light wanted to die in several years they could reconsider illustriousness question.^[160]

After this conversation, and visits from his children in which he saw how much they needed him, Reeve consented take back lifesaving surgery and treatment call upon pneumonia.^[161] He never considered kill as an option again.^[159]^[162]

Reeve went through inner anguish in integrity ICU, particularly when he was alone during the night.

Her highness upcoming operation to stabilize enthrone spine in June 1995 "was frightening to contemplate. ... I by then knew that I had lone a fifty-fifty chance of unbroken the surgery. ... Then, at disentangle especially bleak moment, the dawn flew open and in breakneck a squat fellow with natty blue scrub hat and elegant yellow surgical gown and exhibit, speaking in a Russian emphasis.

He announced that he was my proctologist, and that grace had to examine me immediately." It was Williams, reprising consummate character from the film Nine Months. "For the first spell since the accident, I laughed. My old friend had helped me know that somehow Hysterical was going to be okay."^[163]^{[note 3]} In addition to visits from friends and family, Reeve received over 400,000 letters exotic all over the world, which gave him great comfort before his recovery.^[167]^[168]^{[note 4]}

John A.

Jane performed surgery to repair Reeve's neck vertebrae. He put pressurize underneath both laminae and ragged bone from Reeve's hip take in fit between the C1 with C2 vertebrae. He inserted smashing titanium pin and fused glory wires with the vertebrae, expand drilled holes in Reeve's head and fitted the wires quantity to secure the skull accost the spinal column.^[167]^[169] To approach the cord, the surgeon abstruse to cut a tendon treatise the right side of Reeve's neck, which became shorter be proof against less flexible as a blend, causing his head to roll slightly to the right.^[170]^[171]

Rehabilitation

After natty month in the hospital, Reeve spent six months at class Kessler Rehabilitation Center in Western Orange, New Jersey, to maintain with his recovery and instruct skills such as operating king sip-and-puff electric wheelchair by airy air through a straw.

Observe his autobiography Still Me, appease described initially not wanting term paper face the reality of rulership disability. Getting used to meeting strapped into a wheelchair lowly taking a shower was at the outset terrifying. Reeve developed a hollow fondness for many of ethics staff at Kessler, and curvature conversations with the other patients gradually started to see as being part of primacy disabled community.^[172]^{[note 5]}

For the be in first place few months after the martyr, Reeve relied on a gas mask, which was connected to sovereign neck through a tracheostomy meerschaum, for every breath.

With remedy and practice, he developed character ability to breathe on circlet own for up to 90 minutes at a time.^[174]

At residence, Reeve exercised for up have it in mind four or five hours unornamented day, using specialized exercise machines to stimulate his muscles station prevent muscle atrophy and osteoporosis.^[175] He believed that intense profane therapy could regenerate the sensitive system, and also wanted fulfil body to be strong to support itself if clean cure for paralysis were gantry.

Beginning in 2000, he in progress to regain the ability be obliged to make small movements with sovereignty fingers and other parts disparage his body. By 2002, proceed could feel the prick archetypal a needle and sense ooze and cold temperatures on 65% of his body.^[176]^[177] He popularly exercised in a swimming go around and could push off connect with his legs from the indoors of a pool and bring off a snow angel movement surrender his arms.

He also locked away a sense of proprioception, which is critical for movement control.^[178] Initially, Reeve was given brush up A grade on the Aggregation Impairment Scale, indicating no machine or sensory function. In 2002, his grade was changed in the matter of C, indicating some degree contempt muscle movement and sensation. Reeve's doctors were surprised by diadem improvements, which they attributed near his intensive exercise regimen.

Loftiness degree of his recovery was reported in scientific journals.^[179]

In Feb 2003, Reeve became the base patient in the United States to undergo an experimental course in which electrodes were intrinsic in his diaphragm to copy him breathe without a ventilator.^[180] Previously, he could force bent into his lungs using king neck muscles, which required graceful lot of effort.

With deft diaphragm pacing device, he was able to breathe normally baton his nose, regaining his intolerant of smell and normal speech.^[181]^[182] At first, the device allowable him to breathe for 15 minutes an hour, but cease time this increased up add up 18 hours a day.^[183] Make a way into November 2003, Reeve appeared reveal public without a ventilator mean the first time since diadem accident.^[184] In 2008, the mechanism was approved by the Agency under a Humanitarian Device Exception, and received premarket approval unveil 2023.^[185]

Life with paralysis

In December 1995, Reeve moved back to wreath home in Bedford, New Dynasty.

By two years after righteousness accident, Reeve said he was "glad to be alive, shout out of obligation to leftovers, but because life was attribute living."^[186] He continued to call for round-the-clock care for the doze of his life, with straight rotating team of 10 nurses and five aides working reside in his home.^[187]^{[note 6]}

In picture aftermath of the accident, Reeve went through intense grief.

Let go gradually resolved to make interpretation best of his new existence, with a busy schedule stare activism, film work, writing trip promoting his books, public uncommunicative, and parenting. In 1998, closure said in an interview:

Who knows why an accident happens? Nobleness key is what do order about do afterwards.

There is uncomplicated period of shock, and proof grieving, with confusion and bereavement. After that, you have choices. One is to squint out the window and in one`s own time disintegrate. And the other pump up to mobilize and use shout your resources, whatever they possibly will be, to do something in no doubt. That is the road Uncontrollable have taken.

It comes as a matter of course to me. I am trig competitive person and right compacted I am competing against waste away. I don't want osteoporosis cast muscle atrophy or depression know beat me.^[6]

In another interview, Reeve said he drew on influence self-discipline he had gained restore his early years in influence theater:

Nobody wants another actor.

There's too many of them consequential already. ... To keep believing confine yourself in spite of those kinds of obstacles is definitely good preparation for what I'm going through now.^[162]

Religious views

For pinnacle of his life, Reeve outspoken not identify with any cathedral.

He attended his stepfather's Protestant church as a young teenager.^[189] In 1975, he briefly explored Scientology but chose not picture become a member. He afterward voiced criticism of the organization.^[190]^[191]

Reeve described his wedding in 1992 as his "first act allude to faith". After his accident, haunt well-wishers suggested that prayer would make him feel better, on the other hand he did not find kick up a fuss helpful.

"I wondered what was wrong with me", he adjacent wrote. "I had broken overcast neck and become paralyzed, mayhap forever, but still hadn't fragment God."^[192]

In his 2002 softcover Nothing is Impossible: Reflections bear in mind a New Life, Reeve supposed that he and his bride had regularly attended Unitarian use, starting in his late 40s.

In the years following high-mindedness accident, he had gradually make to believe that:

Spirituality is perform in the way we living our daily lives. It implementation spending time thinking about plainness. It's not so hard look after imagine that there is harsh kind of higher power. Astonishment don't have to know what form it takes or precisely where it exists; just pack up honor it and try preserve live by it is enough. ...

As these thoughts unfolded play in the process of learning optimism live my new life, Berserk had no idea that Wild was becoming a Unitarian.^[193]

Activism

At rendering age of 15, Reeve dash a passionate interest in civic and social causes. He conducted a door-to-door campaign on advantage of Robert F.

Kennedy send back 1968 and participated in protests against the invasion of Kampuchea in 1970.^[194]

After the release describe Superman, Reeve used his idol status to enable him fit in support several philanthropic causes. Burn to the ground the Make-A-Wish Foundation, he visited terminally ill children. He united the board of directors shelter the worldwide charity Save character Children.

In 1979, he served as a track and earth coach at the Special Olympics.^[195]

In the 1980s, Reeve campaigned execute Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy attend to made speeches throughout the submit. He served as a aim at member for the Charles Flier Fund, which promotes environmentally confident technologies.

He lent support defy causes such as Amnesty General, the Natural Resources Defense Assembly, and People for the Indweller Way. As a pilot buffed the Environmental Air Force prohibited gave government officials and television aerial tours over areas accustomed environmental damage.^[196] In 1983, do something was elected to Actors' Bigotry Association Council.^[197]

In late 1987, speck Santiago, Chile, the country's despot, Augusto Pinochet, threatened to honour 77 actors.

Ariel Dorfman without being prompted Reeve to help save their lives. Reeve flew to Chilli and helped lead a grumble march.^[198] A cartoon then ran in a newspaper showing him carrying Pinochet by the seize with the caption, "Where drive you take him, Superman?" Stake out his contribution to the show protest, Reeve was awarded the Luxurious Cross of the Order carp Bernardo O'Higgins, the highest Chilean distinction for foreigners.

He likewise received an Obie Award champion the Annual Walter Briehl Individual Rights Foundation award.^[199]^[200] The followers year, Reeve was among leadership international stars for the Pollex all thumbs butte campaign in the Chilean statesmanlike referendum that marked the stretch of Pinochet's rule.^[201]^{[note 7]}

Reeve strut out against Donald Trump's processing projects on West End Roadway in the late 1980s.

Dignity 1991 documentary Trump: What's birth Deal?, which was suppressed seek out years, showed Reeve deliver expert critical speech on the amour at a public event. Greatness documentary also featured an grill in which Reeve called Trump's ambitions "the American dream become berserk," adding, "You're allowed squalid dream as big as sell something to someone want, but if your dreams step on the lives tinge ordinary people and ruin distinction quality of their life advocate their neighborhood, you have round on be stopped."^[203]^[204]

In 1989, Reeve's associate Ron Silver started the Imaginative Coalition (TCC), a liberal structure aiming to teach celebrities fair to speak knowledgeably about national issues.

Reeve was an mistimed member of the group, stay on with Susan Sarandon, Alec Author, and Blythe Danner. The group's initiatives included environmental issues illustrious defending the National Endowment hint at the Arts, which was mess up attack from conservative Republicans who objected to taxpayer funding flaxen art they considered offensive.

Reeve was elected as a co-president of TCC in 1994. They were instrumental in starting house-trained recycling in New York, cogent the state legislature to budget $1 billion to protect say publicly city's watershed area, and constraint the building of a coal-burning power station near Albany. Picture organization's work was noticed all over the country, and the Democratic Party on purpose Reeve to run for influence United States Congress.

He replied, "Run for Congress? And wrap up my influence in Washington?"^[205]^[6] Outer shell 1997, TCC established the Christopher Reeve First Amendment Award.^[206]

In 1996, 10 months after his damage, Reeve appeared at the 68th Academy Awards to a extensive standing ovation.

He used depiction occasion to encourage Hollywood undertake make more films on communal issues, saying, "Let's continue interruption take risks. Let's tackle nobility issues. In many ways too late film community can do be patient better than anyone else."^[207]^[208]

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