Born in New York City to F. D. Reeve and Barbara Pitney Lamb, Christopher
Reeve's journey from a young theater enthusiast to the iconic Superman is an
inspiring tale. Raised in Princeton, New Jersey, his love for acting
blossomed at the age of 9, when he landed a role in an amateur production of
"The Yeomen of the Guard."
Christopher's passion deepened during a summer apprenticeship at the
Williamstown Theatre Festival at the age of 15. After gaining modest success
in theater and a stint on the soap opera "Love of Life" post-college,
destiny beckoned him toward the audition for the blockbuster film "Superman"
in 1978, a role that would define his career.
While being recognized as Superman brought immense fame, Christopher sought
to prove he was more than a superhero archetype. However, life took an
unexpected turn on May 27, 1995, when a tragic equestrian accident left him
paralyzed from the neck down. His battle ended in 2004 at the age of 52 due
to an infection from a bedsore.
Dana Reeve, his wife, continued their legacy through the Christopher &
Dana Reeve Foundation, dedicated to spinal cord injury research and care.
After Dana's untimely death in 2006, their son William, known as Will, found
himself without parents. Despite this loss, Will remained connected to his
roots, residing in the community where he grew up and continuing the
foundation's work.
Bucking the Hollywood trend, Will chose not to pursue acting, focusing on
education and a career in sports news. In a surprising public appearance at
the 2017 Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation gala, Will, dressed
sharply, evoked memories of his father. He stands as a testament to their
enduring legacy.
Expressing his commitment to the foundation, Will remarked, "I think his
legacy is never going to go away, and I think that is a responsibility that
I feel, to carry his and my mother’s legacy on for the rest of my life and
hopefully beyond that."
Christopher Reeve's career showcased versatility beyond the superhero
realm, with a deliberate shift to smaller films and plays in the late 1970s.
Despite his diverse roles, many forever associated him with Superman. Will,
however, saw his father not just as a cinematic hero but as a real-life
Superman fighting tirelessly for spinal cord injury cures.
In a heartfelt piece for the Daily Mail in March 2018, Will reflected on
his childhood, witnessing his father's resilience. Despite Christopher's
accident when Will was only three, he cherished his father as a hero,
writing, "My father was Superman because he was my hero: Dad."
Will emphasized the normalcy of his upbringing, sharing that his parents
were just like any others, guiding him to eat broccoli and go to bed. While
his experiences differed due to his father's paralysis, Will felt his
parents stayed true to their values, providing him with a well-rounded
childhood.
Now, alongside his half-siblings, Will perpetuates his parents' memory by
embracing life. The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, under Will's
stewardship, continues its mission, striving for spinal cord injury cures
and supporting those affected by paralysis.
Reflecting on his parents' dedication, Will stated, "My dad was obsessed
with finding a cure for spinal cord injury... That is what sustained him."
In his own pursuit, Will aspires to make his parents proud every day, an
endeavor grounded in the values instilled by Christopher and Dana
Reeve.
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