On Sunday we lost the legendary Christopher Reeve. Reeve, who was better known for his role as Clark Kent in Superman.
Reeve died of an infection caused by bedsore which lead to cardiac arrest. He was one of the leading men in spinal core research after an accident paralyzed him from the neck down. He was 52 years old.
In 1978, the 6-foot-4 Reeve was the perfect choice for the upcoming Superman movie. The movie was release on Dec. 15, 1978.
The movie went on to gross more than $100 million at the box office domestically. Overseas it grossed over $150 million. Superman was only Reeve’s second role. He was selected from over 200 people to play “the man of steel.”
Although Reeve had more roles beyond Superman he was always connected to the role of Clark Kent.
In 1983, Reeve was quoted as saying in the Los Angeles Timessaying “Look, I’ve flown, I’ve become evil, loved, stopped and turned the world backward, I’ve faced my peers, I’ve befriended children and small animals and I’ve rescued cats from trees. What else is there left for Superman to do that hasn’t been done?”
He tried so hard to “escape the cape,” as he put it.
However, everything changed in May, 1995. In Culpeper, Va., during an equestrian competition, Reeve was thrown from his horse. He was rushed to the hospital where it was discovered that he broke his neck.
He endured months of therapy just to be able to breath for a few more seconds. Reeve’s condition was so bad that he had to have numerous tubes in him just to help him breath.
But that would not stop Reeve, as he tried harder and harder to help his condition. Less than one year after the accident, he showed up at the 1996 Oscar awards asking Hollywood “to do more” about social issues.
Not letting his condition get in his way, Reeve returned to acting in a 1998 update version of Alfred Hitchcock’s Rear Window. The Screen Actors Guild awarded Reeve best actor in a TV/Mini Series.
Also in that year, Reeve published his autobiography, Still Me.
As early as 2000, Reeve was able to move his index finger and a vicious workout strengthened his arms and legs. Reeve vowed that he would walk again.
Recently, Reeve made special guest appearances as Dr. Swann on the hit show Smallville; a show about Clark Kent in his teenage years.
Reeve’s public crusade to walk again drew public attention for spinal cord research, stem cell research and insurance policies against catastrophic injuries.
Sen. John Kerry, in a recent debate, said: “Chris was an inspiration to all of us. His tireless effort will always be remembered and honored and, in part because of his work, millions will one day walk again.”
Reeve always worked to walk again and never looked at his disability as a burden. He once said, “I refuse to allow a disability to determine how I live my life.”
Reeve left behind a wife and three kids.

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