`Superman' Star Christopher Reeve Dies [Archive]

Doctor Q

Oct 11, 2004, 02:13 AM

Just heard it on the news.

link (http://www.eonline.com/News/Items/0,1,15113,00.html?eol.tkr)

Christopher Reeve probably would have preferred to be only an actor. But it was his fate to be a Superman. On screen and off.

The actor who convinced movie audiences that a son of Krypton could fly and later inspired a nation to believe that a paralyzed man could walk again, died Sunday at a New York hospital, his publicist announced. He was 52.

Reeve, immobilized from the neck down in a 1995 horse-riding accident, fell into a coma Saturday at his New York home after experiencing cardiac arrest. The film star was transported to the hospital, but never regained consciousness. His death, at 5:30 p.m. Sunday, was described as sudden.
He was a relentless spokesperson for spinal injury research. Such a shame.

Jedi Matthew

Oct 11, 2004, 02:30 AM

Quite, quite depressing. He will be missed. My own personal tribute:

http://fiveaside.org/archives/2004/10/194/

iMeowbot

Oct 11, 2004, 02:48 AM

Hey, it's missing from iTMS!
Sometimes I despair the world will never see another man like him. (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000002VHY/103-0972709-7456634)

[edit: Cool! They do have a version (http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playlistId=4211046&selectedItemId=4211009) on iTunes.]

virividox

Oct 11, 2004, 02:52 AM

although i didnt particularly like any of his movies, he was very inspiring the way he took up the cause after the got injured. hopefully all his work will continue

sorryiwasdreami

Oct 11, 2004, 02:58 AM

I'm crushed. He will be missed; that's for sure. Superman is a huge cultural icon for those in my generation (18-30something). We all grew up with him in the backs of our minds.

Thomas Veil

Oct 11, 2004, 07:44 AM

His life was too short and too tragic. Very, very sad.

But we'll always remember his crusadership for such things as stem cell and functional electrical stimulation (FES) research.

Remember when he re-made "Rear Window" with himself in the Jimmy Stewart role? I thought that was a brilliant idea.

michaelrjohnson

Oct 11, 2004, 08:07 AM

RIP Christopher

His passion for his cause, and his passion for life will not be forgotten. God bless.

medea

Oct 11, 2004, 08:12 AM

Man, I just read this online. This was really shocking 'cause I assumed he was doing so well now.

Thank for doing all you've done.

R.I.P.

Mr. Anderson

Oct 11, 2004, 08:44 AM

So sad, especially to go from a complication to an infection....and its hard to imagine for the past nine years he'd been in a wheel chair. The Superman movies were not that great, especially by todays super hero movie standards, but I'm thinking he's going to be remembered more for his work on trying to find cures for paralysis.

D

emw

Oct 11, 2004, 09:20 AM

I heard this on the news this morning - I didn't even know that he had been fighting an infection or anything like that. It was quite a shock. I hope that the work he has been doing relative to raising money for spinal/paralysis research continues.

grapes911

Oct 11, 2004, 10:13 AM

Its funny, I haven't heard his name for a while until John Kerry mentioned him when talking about stem cell research at the last debate, now this.

kgarner

Oct 11, 2004, 10:22 AM

I loved all the Superman movies as a kid. They were a large part of my childhood. Christopher Reeves will forever be associated with that character adn vice versa in my mind.

He will be missed.

agreenster

Oct 11, 2004, 11:38 AM

Presidential race/politcal BS aside:

WE NEED STEM CELL RESEARCH. Not just for the sake of the paralyzed, but the many other diseases that can benefit.

Christopher Reeve will be sorely missed. May he finally rest in peace

redAPPLE

Oct 11, 2004, 11:41 AM

God bless the Man Of Steel.

Rower_CPU

Oct 11, 2004, 11:50 AM

Quash the political stuff NOW, folks. :mad:

It truly is a tragedy that he has passed on at such a young age and that one of the most influential and outspoken advocates for paralysis research is no longer out there fighting for what he believes.

In more ways than one, he was a superman. RIP.

apple2991

Oct 11, 2004, 11:54 AM

http://maddox.xmission.com/c.cgi?u=creeve

wdlove

Oct 11, 2004, 12:40 PM

My prayers go out to his family and friends. May he rest in peace. Now he can walk in freedom and without pain. :(

frozenstar

Oct 11, 2004, 02:02 PM

Dont Hurt Me

Oct 11, 2004, 02:13 PM

I thought he was a fantastic Superman and enjoyed him in other roles as well he will be missed by many.

wdlove

Oct 11, 2004, 02:30 PM

With all due respect, Christopher Reeve should be praised for his theatrical talents, not for the "passion" that stemmed (no pun intended) from his vociferous pursuit of legislation to support stem-cell research. He did as any man would; he used finances, personal connections, and public awareness to drive support for research that would ultimately restore his health. Before he became a quadriplegic he didn't speak a single word to the public about stem-cell research.

My intention is not to minimize the man's death at all. I just think it's important that people realize that stem-cell research only became an issue for him once it directly affected him. Prior to that, he was simply a great actor.

That seems to be the way that most humans react. Once affected by such an incident, then becoming outspoken on the subject. I have heard from researches that he brought the research into spinal cord injury to the forefront. Prior to him it was called an orphan disease. Because of his money and celebrity, he was able to raise money for research and treatment of spinal cord injury. My hope is that all types of treatment will be researched. Focusing just on one treatment would be a mistake.

Doctor Q

Oct 11, 2004, 02:49 PM

My intention is not to minimize the man's death at all. I just think it's important that people realize that stem-cell research only became an issue for him once it directly affected him. Prior to that, he was simply a great actor.That's the way medical publicity and fundraising efforts almost always begin. People's eyes are opened to an area that needs research when it is personal -- either they are affected or somebody close to them or important to them is affected. At that point, some people just try to cope, and others jump in with two feet and do their best to help not only themselves but others suffering similar circumstances. To say that this isn't commendable isn't fair.

frozenstar

Oct 11, 2004, 03:22 PM

That's the way medical publicity and fundraising efforts almost always begin. People's eyes are opened to an area that needs research when it is personal -- either they are affected or somebody close to them or important to them is affected. At that point, some people just try to cope, and others jump in with two feet and do their best to help not only themselves but others suffering similar circumstances. To say that this isn't commendable isn't fair.

Perhaps you're right. I wasn't being entirely fair. I just want people to realize that Reeve's support for stem-cell research was driven by selfish reasons, not selfless ones. But in the process, I admit, he benefited many others. So, I partly retract my original statement. Reeve deserves some credit for his contribution to stem-cell research, just not as much as many people have implied.

I'm working my way up to diplomat status. Think I'll ever make it??? :D

Doctor Q

Oct 11, 2004, 04:00 PM

Reeve deserves some credit for his contribution to stem-cell research, just not as much as many people have implied. That could be. I don't know enough about his background to judge. Did he do any public service work before his accident? That's probably a better way to judge his character than what he did post-injury. Sorry to jump on you about your post; I just know that a lot of good has come out of people who combine their self interest with the public interest. It certainly gives you an incentive to do a good job!

I'm working my way up to diplomat status. Think I'll ever make it???Sure. Sounds like an interesting career to have.

frescies

Oct 11, 2004, 04:11 PM

That's the way medical publicity and fundraising efforts almost always begin. People's eyes are opened to an area that needs research when it is personal -- either they are affected or somebody close to them or important to them is affected. At that point, some people just try to cope, and others jump in with two feet and do their best to help not only themselves but others suffering similar circumstances. To say that this isn't commendable isn't fair.

I disagree and say that it is too fair. You essentially state in the above paragraph that this is the way attention to such issues almost always begins. Thus you state it is a basic, predicatble, element of STANDARD human behavior. Standard human behavior isn't commendable... It's standard. Rising above the standard; for instance, someone supporting a cause that has nothing to do with their own personal gain; is quite different. Had he stood up for this cause before his accident, or some other cause, I would consider him commendable. However, as it stands, his actions were just as commendable as my standard human behavior of "writing" my name when I have to pee in a snow laden area.

frozenstar

Oct 11, 2004, 04:33 PM

I disagree and say that it is too fair. You essentially state in the above paragraph that this is the way attention to such issues almost always begins. Thus you state it is a basic, predicatble, element of STANDARD human behavior. Standard human behavior isn't commendable... It's standard. Rising above the standard; for instance, someone supporting a cause that has nothing to do with their own personal gain; is quite different. Had he stood up for this cause before his accident, or some other cause, I would consider him commendable. However, as it stands, his actions were just as commendable as my standard human behavior of "writing" my name when I have to pee in a snow laden area.

Great. I needed your support an hour ago. Where were you!?!?

FoxyKaye

Oct 11, 2004, 06:06 PM

Can you read my mind?
Do you know what it is that you do to me?
I don't know who you are
Just a friend from another star

This really made me sad and took me completely by surprise (I thought he was doing great). Reeve was one of the few actors-turned-activists I respected, mainly because he was completely genuine in his motivation. Instead of using his activism to create publicity, he used his publicity and fame for a much greater good.

Loved Superman I & II, they really set the bar for superhero movies until Batman and Spider-Man came along.

Bye Chris, you'll really be missed by folks from many walks of life. :(

Mike Teezie

Oct 11, 2004, 07:23 PM

I was truly saddened by this news.

R.I.P. Chris.

~Shard~

Oct 11, 2004, 07:27 PM

Horrible, shocking news - I was truly surprised when I just heard this a few minutes ago, and came on to see if anyone here at MacRumors had reported it yet. I'm completely shocked, as I thought he was doing very well now, even showing signs of regaining movement, albeit minor. For him to pass on like this is truly tragic, as he was doing so much for his cause.

Rest in Peace, Man of Steel. You will be missed.

Doctor Q

Oct 11, 2004, 08:03 PM

Superman is a great character who will long endure in various media.

The TV shows (Lois and Clark, Smallville) have used a soap opera style, but the Christopher Reeve Superman movies were definitely state of the art (at the time) action flicks. The best line from the first one was (I hope I'm quoting this right):

Superman, catching Lois: "Don't worry, I've got you."
Lois: "You've got me? Who's got you?"

The worst part of the first movie was that Superman flew around the Earth to control time. Does Superman from comic books even have that power? I thought that was cheating. But any movie with Marlon Brando as Jor-El was sure to be full of surprises.

I think Christopher Reeve's most recent acting was a guest appearance on Smallville.

Rower_CPU

Oct 11, 2004, 09:14 PM

I think Christopher Reeve's most recent acting was a guest appearance on Smallville.

His cameos on Smallville have been great - I'm a fan of the show, and his appearances have been an almost literal passing of the torch from his tenure as the Man of Steel to Tom Welling.

wdlove

Oct 11, 2004, 09:23 PM

With all his celebrity he ended suffering from the problems that all those with paralysis suffer. We were lucky to have him, Chris has inspired many. Hopefully the foundation that he started will continue to investigate all areas of Spinal Cord Research.

~Shard~

Oct 11, 2004, 09:48 PM

The worst part of the first movie was that Superman flew around the Earth to control time. Does Superman from comic books even have that power? I thought that was cheating.

Yah, I think that was even pushing it for Superman. I still always chuckle at how stupidly powerful Superman was (is) though. Especially with the Justice League of America, when he teamed up with Batman, Robin, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, etc. - with Superman around there was really no point in having anyone else on the team. Each of them had 1 power, meanwhile Superman had about 237. Name one problem that any other superhero in the group could fix that Superman couldn't solve in one billionth of the time. :cool:

Doctor Q

Oct 11, 2004, 11:33 PM

Name one problem that any other superhero in the group could fix that Superman couldn't solve in one billionth of the time. :cool:If you had heartburn, Batman might have an antacid in his utility belt, while Superman couldn't do much for you.

Raid

Oct 12, 2004, 12:23 AM

My Deepest sympathies for Mr. Reeves family.
:( :(
Tonight the 8 year old in me lost a hero.

~Shard~

Oct 12, 2004, 12:23 AM

If you had heartburn, Batman might have an antacid in his utility belt, while Superman couldn't do much for you.

Ah, but he could use his ice breath and breathe down your throat... ;)

Yah, that Batman, he had a pill, repellent, analyzer, you name it, for everything in his "bottomless" utility belt.

Slightly off-topic (not wanting to take away form the tragic topic of this thread) but Batman Begins (http://batmanbegins.warnerbros.com/) looks like it might have some potential... :cool:

FoxyKaye

Oct 12, 2004, 01:14 AM

jtgotsjets

Oct 12, 2004, 01:16 AM

Yah, I think that was even pushing it for Superman. I still always chuckle at how stupidly powerful Superman was (is) though. Especially with the Justice League of America, when he teamed up with Batman, Robin, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, etc. - with Superman around there was really no point in having anyone else on the team. Each of them had 1 power, meanwhile Superman had about 237. Name one problem that any other superhero in the group could fix that Superman couldn't solve in one billionth of the time. :cool:

well, the flash is faster than superman.

really, this came up in an early issue of the current JLA comic.
this dude starts offing the JLA, and he cant think of how to kill superman (he had no kryptonite or anythinglike that). so he disables all the other superheroes, and traps a bunch of reporters and other innocents on the JLA moon base. its too far away for superman to call for help, everyone dies if superman doesnt act fast (the oxygen forest is on fire) and the only way to get off is with the villain. superman cant disable him, or he'd never get everyone to safety through space in time, and thus, the villain gives him a choice: let the innocents die, or kill himself and the villain takes them home. superman is considering his options, when who shows up?

catwoman. and she proceeds to take out what was possibly the coolest villain ever with a bullwhip to the nads

EDIT: and i forgot, doomsday killed superman.

Prom1

Oct 12, 2004, 06:27 AM

...........................

First time I actually shed tears from reading someone's death (other than Family, or since 911).

:( :mad: :eek: :( :eek:

Why isn't there a shedding tears emoticon??

Superman was the very VERY FIRST movie I EVER saw in a Theatre.
My father took me to see it with my cousin - whom ever since always bugs me when we're together, yet thankfully didn't when I watched the movie.

I absolutely love the original and so does my son. I watched it opening night when I was 6. If ever a person can personify a comic book hero in real life look no further than Chris.

Glad I have today off of work because I wouldn't be there mentally. Guessing I'm gonna be watching the movie tomorrow.

wdlove

Oct 12, 2004, 10:40 AM

If you had heartburn, Batman might have an antacid in his utility belt, while Superman couldn't do much for you.

Superman was there to take care of a large problem. He used his strength, X-Ray eyes, and flying. Now he is free to fly also, the bonds of his body are gone.

~Shard~

Oct 12, 2004, 11:08 AM

well, the flash is faster than superman.

Yes, the Flash was technically faster than Superman, however no one ever seemed to question the accuracy of the Flash’s powers. If you drive a motorcycle at 100 miles per hour without a helmet, your face would get wind burned, your cheeks would fill with air and if a bug hit you at that speed your head would probably explode. ;) Also, Flash could conveniently do almost anything he wanted if he mentioned “vibrating” and “molecules” right before it, for example, vibrating his molecules so fast that he could walk through things. How the hell does that work? ;) Ah, I could go on and on, this is far too fun... :cool:

really, this came up in an early issue of the current JLA comic. this dude starts offing the JLA, and he cant think of how to kill superman (he had no kryptonite or anythinglike that). so he disables all the other superheroes, and traps a bunch of reporters and other innocents on the JLA moon base. its too far away for superman to call for help, everyone dies if superman doesnt act fast (the oxygen forest is on fire) and the only way to get off is with the villain. superman cant disable him, or he'd never get everyone to safety through space in time, and thus, the villain gives him a choice: let the innocents die, or kill himself and the villain takes them home. superman is considering his options, when who shows up?

catwoman. and she proceeds to take out what was possibly the coolest villain ever with a bullwhip to the nads

Catwoman?!? Kay, I really missed that one...

EDIT: and i forgot, doomsday killed superman.

True, but Superman came back – four-fold. :p ;)

Doctor Q

Oct 13, 2004, 02:34 PM

Since we left the question unanswered, I looked it up. Christopher Reeve did indeed do community service work before his accident. He worked on behalf of Amnesty International, Save the Children, and the Natural Resources Defense Council.

As I was typing this, I realized that we talked about the issue of celebrities speaking out about their conditions in the forums before, so I looked that up too. It was in the Celebrity diseases thread.