Summary
Supermanhas been a Hollywood staple since he first leaped onto screens in 1948. While the famous Kryptonian has starred inseveral outstanding animations, his live-action adventures helped establish him, his supporting characters, and DC Comics as worldwide icons.
Across several decades of films and TV series, many actors have portrayed vastly different interpretations of Clark Kent, Lois Lane, and the rest of the main cast. Whether you’re watching the 1940s serials or theDC Extended Universe, it’s fascinating to see how each actor shows a different side of Kal-El, his friends, and Metropolis' greatest villain.
1950
1978-1987
1988-1989
1989-1992
1993-1997
2001-2008, 2011
2006
2016-2021
Jon Cryer
Supergirl (TV Series), Arrow, The Flash (TV Series), Batwoman, Legends of Tomorrow
2019-2021
2022
Superman & Lois
2023
Lex Luthor has been one of the most sinister comic book film villains since his on-screen debut in Atom Man vs. Superman, where he was played deliciously evil by Lyle Talbot. This paved the way for Gene Hackman’s more charismatic yet equally cunning performance alongside Christopher Reeve’s Man of Steel in the Donner films.
Michael Rosenbaum currently holds the record for the longest portrayal of the character, depicting a young Lex Luthor in Smallville. Since then, the iconic bad guy has gotten grittier, including a bone-chilling performance from Jon Cryer in Supergirl and a terrifying version by Michael Cudlitz in Superman & Lois.
1948-1950
1952-1958
2003, 2010-2011
Man of Steel, Batman v Superman
2013-2016
Several award-nominated actors have played the Daily Planet’s Editor-in-Chief over the years. While Pierre Watkin was the first to depict Perry White, John Hamilton from the 1950s TV series popularized the character’s iconic catchphrase, “Great Cesar’s Ghost!” The role was then passed to Jackie Cooper - the youngest actor ever to get an Oscar nomination.
The Lois & Clark series showed a more vulnerable, humorous, and Elvis-loving side to Superman’s no-nonsense boss, thanks to Golden Globe-nominated actor Lane Smith. After that, Perry White returned to his usual stern self with Tony Award-winning actors Frank Langella and Laurence Fishburne.
1984
2007-2011
2015-2021
The Flash (Film)
Kara Zor-El has appeared inplenty of DC animated features, but her live-action iterations are surprisingly scarce. She first flew onto the big screen in Supergirl (1984), where Helen Slater donned the iconic red cape. While the movie was a flop, Slater received a Saturn Award nomination for her performance.
Laura Vandervoort played the role next in the last four seasons of Smallville. A few years later, the most well-known depiction of Kara came when Melissa Benoist delivered a quirky, butt-kicking performance in Arrowverse’s Supergirl series. Last but not least, Sasha Calle played a grittier take on Kal-El’s cousin in the DCEU film The Flash.
1948
1978
1988–1992
2001-2011
Man of Steel, Batman v Superman, Justice League
2013 -2021
Despite being Kal-El’s father, Jonathan Kent doesn’t have as many live-action appearances as you’d think. Regardless, that hasn’t stopped his actors from giving stellar performances. Edward Cassidy played the role in the 1940s Superman serials, laying the foundation for Glenn Ford in Donner’s Superman from 1978.
Jonathan Kent’s most prominent appearances are from the TV shows Lois & Clark and Smallville, where the character was part of the main cast. Smallville’s John Schneider, in particular, wowed viewers by playing a younger and more protective version of Clark’s dad. The most heroic Jonathan Kent is the DCEU’s Kevin Costner, who sacrifices himself to protect his son’s secret identity.
1993-1994
1994-1997
2006-2009
2015-2019
Batman v Superman
2016
Since the 1940s, Jimmy Olsen has been a series staple as the Kryptonian’s plucky sidekick. Tommy Bond from the Superman serials nailed the young photojournalist’s energetic, friendly, and naive personality. This depiction was further perfected by Jack Larson and Marc McClure in the 1950s and 1970s, respectively.
The character took a turn in Lois & Clark, where Michael Landes played a more confident and mature version before passing the role to Justin Whalin. This concept continued with Mehcad Brooks in the Arrowverse’s Supergirl series, featuring an older and more experienced Jimmy Olsen. Michael Cassidy would then play the role in the DCEU, albeit briefly.
1948-1950, 1953-1958
1952-1953
2004-2011
2013-2021
2021-2024
Lois Lane and Clark Kent go together like superheroes and capes, so it’s no surprise she’s in almost every iteration of Superman. Noel Neill played the famous journalist in the 1940s serials and returned to the role a few years later when Phyllis Coates left the 1950s TV series.
Other notable appearances include Margot Kidder’s iconic performance alongside Christopher Reeve in Superman (1978). Teri Hatcher from Lois & Clark and Erica Durance from Smallville explored the nuance and personal life of the character during their tenures. The Arrowverse’s Elizabeth Tulloch further fleshed out Lois Lane by showing her journey into parenthood.
2013-2022
Tyler Hoechlin
Supergirl (TV Series), Arrow, The Flash (TV Series), Batwoman, Legends of Tomorrow, Superman & Lois
2016-2024
you may’t have a Superman film without the Kryptonian himself. While George Reeves is arguably the most famous Clark Kent actor from the black-and-white era, Kirk Alyn was the first to amaze audiences with theMan of Steel’s remarkable powers. When Christopher Reeve donned the red cape in 1978, he perfected the character’s morality, humor, and vulnerability.
Brandon Routh revived Superman after a nearly two-decade-long film hiatus. Since then, many interpretations of the iconic superhero have graced the big and small screen, including Tom Welling’s teenage Clark Kent from Smallville and Henry Cavill’s grittier version from the DC Extended Universe.
