David Corenswet standing with his crossed arms as Superman looking strong
Recently, Superman was released in theaters, bringing with it David Corenswet's Man of Steel. Far from the first actor to take on the role, he is set to be a central figure in James Gunn and Peter Safran's rebooted DC Universe.
Prior to Corenswet, Superman debuted on the big screen in 1948, headlining several films and television series. All of them generally share the same core origin story, coming from the doomed planet of Krypton and being adopted by Kansas farmers. With so many iterations of the iconic hero, each has their own unique elements and a separate fanbase. Even so, some stand out from the pack. Here are all 11 actors who have portrayed Clark Kent/Superman ranked: 10 Kirk Alyn First Appeared In Superman Kirk Alyn portrayed Superman in two film serials, 1948's Superman and 1950's Atom Man Vs. Superman. The first retold his origin story, while the second pit his Man of Steel against Lex Luthor. His portrayal comes early in the hero's history, but audiences still got a glimpse of both his Superman and his Clark Kent. Related Every Superman Movie, Ranked With 75 years of films under his cape, Superman has a huge cinematic legacy, including David Corenswet's newly-released debut as the Man of Steel. Posts 1 Through no fault of his own, however, Alyn's Superman is a surface-level portrayal. The character was still being shaped into what audiences today know him as, something that happened over time, in part due to later media depictions. On top of that, the special effects of the era were not yet convincing, stacking the odds against Alyn. Nonetheless, Alyn filled those red boots well for the time. His legacy was later honored when he made a brief cameo as Sam Lane in Superman: The Movie. Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review Your comment has not been saved Like Follow Followed Superman NR Action Crime Science Fiction Superhero Release Date July 15, 1948 Runtime 244 Minutes Cast Powered by Expand Collapse 9 John Haymes Newton & Gerard Christopher First Appeared In Superboy Superboy is unique for a number of reasons. Firstly, it is very difficult to watch today due to a rights dispute between Warner Bros, Viacom, and the rights holders, Alexander and Illya Salkind. Secondly, the series underwent a significant overhaul after its debut season. John Haymes Newton played Clark/Superboy at first before being recast with Gerard Christopher in the role. The easiest way to define Superboy is that it was Smallville before Smallville. Running from 1988 to 1992, the series followed Clark as he attended Shuster University in Siegelville, Florida, and began his career as a superhero. Later seasons shift to Clark and his love interest Lana Lang becoming investigators of paranormal and extraterrestrial encounters. Both actors were suitable leads who represented the Superboy of the Silver Age well within the series' campy setting, and Christopher differentiated himself with its later tonal changes. However, the series maintained a more surface-level exploration of Clark as a character, making their portrayals less memorable compared to other Superman actors. 8 Dean Cain First Appeared In Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman In the early 1990s, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman reimagined the hero's story as a workplace romantic comedy starring Dean Cain and Teri Hatcher. Cain's iteration of the hero was successful in one major way: he shifted the narrative that Clark was the disguise and Superman was the true personality by centering the reporter, not the hero. More time was dedicated to showing Clark's dynamic with his parents, and his relationship with Lois was given more attention. Additionally, the Daily Planet crew and Clark's relationship with them developed in a more realistic way than in prior adaptions, with them feeling like genuine friends and coworkers. Related How Dean Cain Became The Least Popular Superman Dean Cain played the Man of Steel in the classic Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, but he's become a surprisingly divisive figure. Posts 2 Playing a more modern, romantic version of the character did mean that Cain's Clark lost some of the nerdy charm present in Superman actors that came before and after him. Nonetheless, both halves of Cain's hero make for a likable leading man suited to the world Lois & Clark establishes. Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review Your comment has not been saved Like Follow Followed Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Romance Superhero Drama 10 8.1/10 Release Date 1993 - 1997-00-00 Network ABC Cast See All Powered by Expand Collapse 7 Henry Cavill First Appeared In Man of Steel Henry Cavill is decidedly the most unique version of Superman. Originating in Man of Steel, his version of the hero was brooding and burdened by his powers. While most Superman stories depict the hero as choosing to save people because he genuinely wants to, Man of Steel's Clark is compelled to do so out of necessity throughout the film. Additionally, this Superman is more focused on results than rescues. His fights are more brutal, with more collateral damage, as a result of director Zack Snyder's desire to depict a more realistic and violent Superman. His longer arc throughout the DCEU grapples with his status as a lonely godlike figure, only tethered by his relationships with Lois and his mother. The Daily Planet element of Clark's story is less relevant within the DCEU. Lois is introduced through her job as a reporter, and Clark becoming a reporter is teased at the end, setting up a future exploration of his human side. Unfortunately, this thread isn't given much room to develop in Man of Steel's sequel, Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice. Related Why David Corenswet Replaced Henry Cavill As Superman The DCU's Superman casting was a high-stakes decision for James Gunn's flourishing franchise, but David Corenswet made the choice an easy one. Posts With Superman taking a backseat to Batman and then dying, Clark is hardly given room to be a separate side of his personality. Superman is then absent for the majority of both cuts of Justice League, which features his resurrection as a major plot point. Cavill's Superman struck a chord with many fans, but he is far from a definitive take on the character. Given that Snyder never finished out his vision for Superman's arc, it's hard to say whether he would have become more like the classic hero or remained more of an Elseworld adaptation. Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review Your comment has not been saved Like Follow Followed Man of Steel PG-13 Action Adventure Sci-Fi Superhero 8/10 124 8.0/10 Release Date June 14, 2013 Runtime 143 minutes Cast See All Powered by Expand Collapse 6 George Reeves First Appeared In Superman and the Mole Men The second actor to tackle the role of Superman, George Reeves debuted in the hero's first full-length film, Superman and the Mole Men. He continued in the part for the six-season series Adventures of Superman, during which he became a household name. Reeves starred opposite Phyllis Coates and Noel Neill as Lois Lane, as well as Jack Larson as Jimmy Olsen. As opposed to Clark's characterization as a mild-mannered reporter, Reeves made his version more assertive and charismatic. Reeves' Superman, meanwhile, came across as dynamic and fearless. A lack of convincing special effects doesn't matter because Reeves' acting sells him as the Man of Steel. The most meaningful moment in Reeves' tenure as Superman was his empathy towards the Mole Men in his debut. As an angry mob attempts to storm a hospital to kill one of the poor creatures, Superman blocks their way to defend him. This action is quintessentially Superman, and through his delivery, Reeves cements himself as the hero. Superman and the Mole-Men, a 1951 film, features George Reeves as Superman and Phyllis Coates as Lois Lane. The story involves Superman defending peaceful subterranean creatures, the Mole Men, who are misunderstood and persecuted by humans after emerging from an oil well. Directed by Lee Sholem, this film marked the first feature-length appearance of the iconic superhero, paving the way for the Adventures of Superman television series. Powered by Expand Collapse Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review Your comment has not been saved Like Follow Followed Adventures of Superman TV-G Sci-Fi & Fantasy Drama Comedy Family Action Crime Release Date 1952 - 1958-00-00 Network ABC, Syndication Directors Thomas Carr, George Blair, Harry Gerstad, Lee Sholem, Philip Ford, George Reeves, Howard Bretherton Writers Robert Leslie Bellem, Roy Hamilton, Eugene Solow, Monroe Manning, David T. Chantler, Jackson Gillis, Peggy Chantler Dick, Royal K. Cole, Robert Maxwell Cast See All Adventures of Superman follows the iconic superhero as he battles foes and protects humanity. Disguised as Clark Kent, a reporter, Superman uses his extraordinary powers for justice. Adapted from DC Comics, the show starred George Reeves as the titular character and epitomized 1950s superhero television. Powered by Expand Collapse 5 Tyler Hoechlin First Appeared In Supergirl Tyler Hoechlin had a rocky start as Superman. Introduced as a supporting character for Melissa Benoist's Supergirl/Kara Danvers, he was an awkward fit for the preexisting dynamic of her series. Moreover, episodes would often feature excuses for why Kara was more powerful than Clark or why he wasn't around to help her. Hoechlin did the best he could with this clunky writing, and glimmers of a promising Clark came through from time to time, but it wasn't until Superman started participating in larger Arrowverse crossovers that he had a chance to shine. In"Elseworlds," Lois was introduced, Superman properly joined the fray, and Hoechlin got more time to establish his hero. Thereafter, he was a central figure in"Crisis on Infinite Earths" before receiving his own spinoff series, Superman & Lois. Despite only being in his mid-30s, Hoechlin's Man of Steel was aged up and moved into the role of a married Clark with two sons. Though this take on Superman was different, Hoechlin led the show well. His Clark was defined by warmth; this hero was first and foremost a nice guy. Debuting so shortly after Cavill's Superman, Hoechlin took the hero back to his optimistic roots, something immediately demonstrated in the pilot as he smiles at a child he saved, calls him a friend, and endearingly notes that his mother made his suit after being complimented. Supergirl made her first appearance in the comics in 1959's Action Comics #252 and has gone on to become one of DC's most popular characters. This TV series, which stars Melissa Benoist as Supergirl, first aired on CBS in 2015. It ran on that network for one season, before moving to the CW so it could become part of the Arrowverse - a collection of DC Comics shows that also includes Arrow, The Flash, and Legends of Tomorrow, among others. Supergirl has been part of several crossover events between all the series. Powered by Expand Collapse Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review Your comment has not been saved Like Follow Followed Superman & Lois TV-14 Drama Action Science Fiction 6/10 211 8.8/10 Release Date 2021 - 2024-00-00 Network The CW Showrunner todd helbing Directors Gregory Smith, Sudz Sutherland, David Ramsey, Elizabeth Henstridge, Tom Cavanagh, Diana Valentine, Elaine Mongeon, Alexandra La Roche, Lee Toland Krieger, Eric Dean Seaton, David Mahmoudieh, Amy Jo Johnson, David Giuntoli, Stewart Hendler, Rachel Talalay, Norma Bailey, Michael Cudlitz, Melissa Hickey, James Bamford Writers Max Cunningham, George Kitson, Max Kronick, aaron helbing Cast See All Superman & Lois follows the Man of Steel, Clark Kent, and journalist Lois Lane as they navigate the strains of contemporary parenthood while confronting threats from supervillains and alien invaders, blending personal challenges with heroic responsibilities in this 2021 television series. Powered by Expand Collapse 4 Brandon Routh First Appeared In Superman Returns Close A few years ago, Brandon Routh would likely have placed much lower in the ranks of Superman actors. His turn in Superman Returns remains underrated as it is sandwiched in a movie that fails most of its characters. Routh's Man of Steel is intended to be an older version of Christopher Reeve's after the events of Superman: The Movie and Superman II. Despite this, Routh brought his own energy to the dual role to varying degrees. He excels at playing the nerdy, clumsy Clark side of the character, but his Superman is very stoic and melancholy. He still manages to deliver as a romantic lead despite the lack of chemistry between him and Kate Bosworth's Lois. Related Arrowverse Creator Teases Brandon Routh Superman Sequel Show 5 Years After His Crisis On Infinite Earths Appearance Brandon Routh's Superman could get a third chance at life in through a sequel series according to a recent tease from an Arrowverse co-creator. Posts However, the key redemption for Routh Superman came just under 15 years after Superman Returns, when he reprised his role as Superman in"Crisis On Infinite Earths." In this version, Clark lost everything when the Joker gassed the Daily Planet, killing Lois and his friends. He dons a red and black emblem in honor of those he lost. Though the special somewhat underutilizes his potential, it gave Routh the chance to play Superman again and bring a more satisfying, hopeful end to both his arc and Reeve's. His Superman legacy was shifted to represent hope overcoming all odds, and that is reflected in his second time donning the cape. Bryan Singer's Superman Returns follows the events surrounding the hero's return to Earth after a five-year absence. When Superman arrives back on Earth, he discovers that Lex Luthor has developed a plan to use kryptonite crystals to establish a new landmass that he intends to sell off to the highest bidder. With Lois Lane now married with a child, Superman must come to terms with everything he left behind in order to stop Luthor's villainous scheme. Powered by Expand Collapse Arrowverse 1.0/10 Created by Greg Berlanti, Marc Guggenheim, Andrew Kreisberg, Phil Klemmer, Geoff Johns First TV Show Arrow Latest TV Show Batwoman First Episode Air Date October 10, 2012 Latest Episode 2023-05-24 Cast Stephen Amell, Grant Gustin, Melissa Benoist, Caity Lotz, Cress Williams, Ruby Rose, Javicia Leslie The Arrowverse is a shared universe centered on multiple television series airing on The CW and web series based on characters from DC Comics. It began with Arrow in 2012 and expanded to include shows like The Flash, Supergirl, and Legends of Tomorrow, creating a vast interconnected narrative that includes numerous crossovers and parallel universes. Expand Collapse 3 Tom Welling First Appeared In Smallville Smallville is responsible for a whole generation of Superman fans, in large part due to the performance of series lead Tom Welling. The actor steps into the role of a pre-Superman Clark as he grapples with discovering his heritage, forming a friendship with his eventual nemesis Lex, and pining after Lana. Welling's portrayal brings a boyish charm to Clark; he's a good kid who wants to help people and live up to his parents' morals. He then learns more about his Kryptonian heritage, forms allyships with key DC characters, and becomes the hero he's destined to be. Over time, he matures, developing some skepticism along the way but never losing those values. Related "He Was The Superman": David Corenswet Addresses Comparisons With Smallville's Tom Welling DC Universe actor David Corenswet, who is playing the next version of the Man of Steel, opens up on how Smallville star Tom Welling was his Superman. Posts 7 With 10 years in the role, Welling managed to portray many versions of the Man of Steel in one, from the Superboy-inspired high school years to the more Superman-inspired young adult era. Throughout this, the actor channeled a sense of optimism and faith in humanity that screams Superman. Welling's Clark changed a lot over the series, and his performance became stronger as he grew with the character. For many, he remains the most relatable Superman, something likely enabled by the fact that audiences saw him through so much of his life. Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review Your comment has not been saved Like Follow Followed Smallville TV-PG Drama Adventure Science Fiction Action 8/10 202 9.0/10 Release Date 2001 - 2017-00-00 Network The WB, The CW Cast See All Powered by Expand Collapse 2 David Corenswet First Appeared In Superman Close Drawing inspiration from All-Star Superman, David Corenswet's Man of Steel is kind, optimistic, and brave. His hero is defined by a drive to save others, and he values life above all else. While this could be cheesy, the actor brings a sweetness to the role that sells him as genuine. Beyond that, Superman puts Clark into many situations that test his morals, from an amazing interview scene opposite Rachel Brosnahan's Lois to a kaiju fight where he tries his hardest to save people and the monster itself. Corenswet plays all of these moments with conviction but never comes across as put upon or brooding. Related Every Superman Movie, Ranked With 75 years of films under his cape, Superman has a huge cinematic legacy, including David Corenswet's newly-released debut as the Man of Steel. Posts 1 The actor feels like Superman flew straight from the comics onto the screen. Unfortunately, he only has a few scenes as Clark Kent, so his full range has yet to be realized. Nonetheless, Corenswet has the potential to become the best Superman actor of all as he continues to grow in the role. Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review Your comment has not been saved Like Follow Followed Superman PG-13 Action Sci-Fi Adventure 9/10 96 8.1/10 Release Date July 11, 2025 Runtime 130 Minutes Cast See All Powered by Expand Collapse 1 Christopher Reeve First Appeared In Superman: The Movie Christopher Reeve's Superman is among the best superhero portrayals of all time. The actor set the standard by which both those who also play the Man of Steel and other comic book movie leads are judged. Reeve crafted two separate personas for Clark and Superman, becoming the first to genuinely sell that the glasses disguise would work. Perhaps the best moment showing off Reeve's acting skill involves a brief moment of contemplation as he debates sharing his identity with Lois. Clark removes his glasses, then, with just a shift in posture and tone, he's suddenly Superman. Afterward, he thinks better of confessing his secret and reverts to his Clark persona without missing a beat. No other actor who has played Superman has delivered a moment that epitomized the difference between Clark and the Man of Steel so well. Another highlight of his tenure as the hero includes his scream of pure heartbreak at Lois' death, but there are moments of brilliance throughout his performance. Reeve's philosophy on heroes may feed into why he personified Superman so strongly:"A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles." While the Man of Steel is hardly an ordinary individual, his message of hope and optimism in the face of adversity comes through in full force with Reeve's Superman, who continues to inspire over 40 years later. Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review Your comment has not been saved Like Follow Followed Superman PG Action Adventure Fantasy Sci-Fi Superhero 9.0/10 Release Date December 15, 1978 Runtime 143 Minutes Cast See All
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
DC Celebrates 'Superman' Tickets Going on Sale With the Film's Best Trailer YetDavid Corenswet as Superman in &39;Superman.&39;
Read more »
Superman's Reported Budget Making It One Of The Most Expensive Movies Ever Means Its Box Office Is Even More ImportantDavid Corenswet&39;s Superman looking mad with smoke around him in the DCU Superman movie
Read more »
My Adventures with Superman to Launch Marathon in Time for James Gunn’s SupermanMy Adventures with Superman is going to launch a special marathon just in time for the debut of James Gunn's Superman in theaters
Read more »
The Fortress of Solitude: Every live-action incarnation of Superman's iconic ice hideoutDaryl is an entertainment writer and author of two books—The Making of Tomb Raider and 50 Years of Boss Fights.With over a decade of experience, his work has been featured in TechRadar, Tom’s Guide, SUPERJUMP, Pocket Tactics, Radio Times, and more.
Read more »
‘Superman’ Is The Best Superman Movie With The Best SupermanThe box office is blowing up, audiences are raving, and Superman looks like it’s going to be the mega-hit the DCU needs. I loved it.
Read more »
5 Superman Villains Who Can Never Be in Live ActionSuperman has some of the greatest villains ever in his repetoire, but these five should never be up on the silver screen.
Read more »