Spent His Final 9 Years on a Ventilator Before Dying at 52, This American Superstar Was Among the First Actors in Hollywood to Nail a Superhero Transformation

Marvel’s Iron Man (2008) kickstarted the resurgence of comic book superhero films in Hollywood. Today, Some of the highest-grossing films of all time belong to the genre. However, for decades Christopher Reeve’s Superman was the yardstick against which every superhero film was measured. Even when Henry Cavil’s Man of Steel (2013) was released, many fans declared the 1978 rendition of the caped crusader superior. Among the many first the 1978 movie achieved, Reeve’s bodybuilding transformation was one of them.

While Reeeve thought himself too skinny to get the role, once cast, the star worked for hours in the gym to achieve arguably the first superhero physique. While the Hollywood star met a tragic end at 52 after an accident left him paralyzed and hooked up to a ventilator, his legacy lives on through leading men like Henry Cavil, Chris Pratt, Chris Evans, and more.

Refusing to put on fake muscles

With multiple comic book movies released each year, bodybuilding transformations have become a dime a dozen. Most actors build ripped physiques to look the part of a superhero. However, in the 70s, bodysuits were a popular method of looking buff. Despite that, Christopher Reeve refused to take shortcuts.

A little over a week ago, YouTuber Luke Sherran uploaded a video on Reeve’s transformation. In the video, the Black Fox actor revealed how he trained for the titular role. “I was a string bean and Superman’s not a string beam,” Reeve once said while talking about auditioning for the role. Reeve also “wore a big bulky blue sweater because I thought, Oh my God! I gotta look stronger!”.

The video showed old footage of the Superman actor weightlifting in the gym. In the 70s, dedicated transformation coaches didn’t exist. Instead, the avid equestrian trained with British weightlifting champion David Prowse.

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“I eat four times a day… I’m on a high (meat) protein diet, vitamin pills… Nothing like steroids… but I mean I get to eat as much of as anything that I want,” disclosed Reeve. Ultimately, the actor bulked considerably and at 6’4 Ft, weighed 225 lbs while filming. Christopher Reeve transformed himself to look the part and take his fitness to a new level. However, it was his love for fitness and sports that cut the legendary actor’s life short.

The embodiment of hope

Throughout four movies, Christopher Reeve wore the symbol of hope every time he donned the red and blue costume. However, not just on the silver screen but even in real life the actor became the embodiment of hope. In May 1995, Christopher Reeve became paralyzed after falling from his horse during an equestrian competition and breaking his neck. However, despite his disability, the Superman actor never lost hope.

After five years of intensive physical therapy, Reeve could move one finger. However, he dreamed of walking again. He volunteered to test an experimental device that allowed him to breathe without the aid of a ventilator. The actor also founded the Christopher Reeve Foundation, dedicated to finding a cure for paralysis. Reeve’s contribution continued even after he died in 2004, as the FDA ok-ed the device he volunteered to test for medical use.

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