George Reeves: The tragic life and death of the original Superman

George Reeves, the reluctant man of steel

George Reeves is considered the original Superman because he portrayed the man of steel in the television series Adventures of Superman that ran on ABC from 1952-1958. The episodes began in black and white and shifted to color in 1955. The actor was born George Keefer Brewer on January 5, 1914, and died under suspicious circumstances on June 16, 1959.

The official cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head and initial reports concluded that the actor died from suicide. In later years it was said that Reeves's untimely departure from this life could have been an accidental shooting or even murder. Reeves had an infectious smile that seemed so sincere and genuine on the television series. Who knew that he was masking so much pain inside?

Reeves was reluctant to portray Superman and initially was going to turn down the role. Like other actors of that time George did not consider television as important as being in a film. Prior to becoming the man of steel the actor had a number of television and movie credits. He was even in the biggest movie hit of the time, 1939's Gone With the Wind. The actor portrayed Stuart Tarleton one of two brothers who along with other men were all vying for the affection of Scarlett O'hara (Vivian Leigh).

George Reeves movie and television roles

Reeves other movie roles include Four Wives, The Fighting 69th, Father is a Prince, On Dress Parade, Smashing the Money Ring, Virginia City and Variety Girl. His television credits include Kraft television Theater, Straight Theater, Believe it or Not, The Adventures of Ellery Queen, Ford Theater, and The Trap.

According to producer Jack Larson Reeves referred to his Superman outfit as a monkey suit and seemed concerned that he did not have any adult fans of the show. He loved the children who were fans and enjoyed meeting and greeting them. He also made sure not to smoke anywhere near the boys and girls during public appearances. There were adults who enjoyed Adventures of Superman but somehow Reeves was not made aware of that fact and felt slighted by older audiences.

Superman typecast the actor

Once the Superman series ended Reeves was not able to find the type of success he desired. Subsequent movie roles did not bring in the income he needed and he did not want to do stage plays of the man of steel. The actor ended up being typecast which was exactly what he had wanted to avoid. The docudrama Hollywood Land told an interesting story about Reeves and it can currently be viewed on Tubi Tv.

Allegedly when test audiences saw him in Here to Eternity they laughed and referred to Reeves as the superhero. The actor's scenes were said to have been cut down and his name removed from the credits when the film was finally released. Those who were around at the time say the story is not true but what is fact is that Reeves died from a gunshot wound to the head on June 16, 1959.

George Reeves: Conflicting reports about his demise

According to records from the Los Angeles Police Department, the actor was found in the upstairs bedroom of his home in Benedict Canyon on Benedict Canyon Drive between 1:30 and 2:00 a.m. His fiance Lenore Lemon and other guests were in the home at the time but their stories conflict. Lemon said Reeves took his own life because he was depressed about being typecast as the man of Steele.

Lenore also stated that the gunshot was heard while she and the guests were downstairs. Others in attendance at the home say that Lemon was upstairs when the gunshot was heard and ran down asking people to say that she had been downstairs when the gun was fired. There are those who believe Reeves was murdered or his death was accidental because he was planning to marry Lemon in a few days. All that is known for certain is that the man who brought joy to his fans as Superman is dead.