For almost 10 years now, we have not had a popular, talented, hardworking and very beautiful actor with us. Despite this, Christopher Reeve remains in the memory of millions of people. Fans of the actor remember him as a beautiful Superman, for whom nothing is impossible in life. This strong-minded person was a superhero not only on the screen, but also in life. Despite the terrible disease, he did not give up, until the end he believed that he would win. Reeve is a role model, a symbol of unbending will, optimism and courage.
Actor's childhood
Christopher Reeve was born in New York (USA) on September 25, 1952. When he was 4 years old, his parents divorced, and the boy moved to Princeton with his younger brother, where his mother married a second time. Christopher often came to visit his father, with whom he learned to sail, scuba dive. Having matured, the boy received at the full disposal of the professor’s library of the parent. Franklin Reeve taught his son everything that he knew, although he constantly scoffed at his clumsiness and stupidity.
From childhood Christopher was fond of creativity, from 9 years old he performed at the McCarter Theater in Princeton. The young talent even received an invitation to practice at the Old Vic Theater in London. Rive also completed an internship at Comedy Frances. After studying in Europe, Christopher returned to New York, where he enrolled in the Juilliard School of Arts, but soon had to quit his studies, as his stepfather could not afford to pay for the expensive stepson's lessons. At the age of 16, Reeve was thinking about how to feed himself and his family.
First Steps to Success
In 1974, Christopher Reeve made his television debut. The filmography of the actor opens with the first work - the untwisted and quite popular in America series “Love for Life”. In the film, the young man starred for two years. His talent did not go unnoticed, so soon Reeve received an invitation to participate in the Broadway production of “The Question of Attraction”. Christopher played there with
Katherine Hepburn. Then there was the play “My Life”.
At the end of the 70s, Riva’s career was developing rapidly, the young actor was noticed by the directors, constantly there were proposals. Basically, Christopher played minor, minor roles, but that was only the beginning. The actor appeared in the series "Great Performances", the television film "Enemies", the movie "The Gray Lady" goes into the depths. "
World fame
Christopher had everything the actor needed - popularity, talent, excellent external data, but he was not offered significant roles. He came to the auditions, but received a refusal, because in those days thin and homely intellectuals were more valued than muscular handsome men like Christopher Reeve. A photo of those times confirms that the actor was unusually beautiful, high growth and sports made him a manly figure. Everything changed in 1978, when Riva was offered to star in the lead role in the movie Superman.
The adaptation of the comic books about the superhero brought the actor worldwide love of the audience, positive reviews of film critics, huge fees. After the release of the film, Reeve woke up rich, famous and happy, because his talent was appreciated. After that, the actor had no end to offers to star in various films. Christopher Reeve is a superman loved by the audience with all his heart. The release of subsequent parts of the film was eagerly awaited. The continuation of the film adaptation of the comics did not disappoint. The second, third and fourth parts were warmly received.
In the early 80s, Reeve continued to act actively. He played in the film adaptations of the works of Jack London, The Sea Wolf and Leo Tolstoy's Anna Karenina. There was also a very successful film “The Deadly Trap”, an interesting historical film “Bostonians”. Many liked the films “Village of the Damned” and “At the End of the Day”. A beautiful talented actor was at the peak of popularity, but suddenly trouble crept in.
Accident
Christopher Reeve never forgot about sports. As a child, he spent his free time on the football field, then became interested in hockey and tennis. At an older age he became interested in flying by plane, and at 33 he discovered the charm of riding. On May 27, 1995, the races were to be held in Culpeper. Reeve prepared for them very intensely for several hours a day, but on the day of the competition there was a misfortune. Christopher's horse refused to jump over the obstacle, suddenly stopping. Reeve himself flew over the head of the animal and fell to the ground.
Doctors managed to save the popular actor, but a terrible injury - a fracture of the vertebrae of the spine - forever made him disabled. Christopher turned into a motionless statue in need of help from outsiders. Not to lose the remnants of the fighting spirit of the actor helped the support of his family. His wife Dana was always there, sharing with him all the hardships and pain.
Life after paralysis
Despite severe trauma and complete helplessness, Christopher Reeve continued to do his favorite thing. The biography of the actor is very complicated, it has ups and downs, joys and disappointments. Paralysis did not break Riva, in 1997 he made his directorial debut, the audience warmly received the film “At Twilight”. In 1998, Christopher played a major role in the film “Window into the Courtyard,” and he produced it. The work really liked both the audience and critics, the actor was nominated for a Golden Globe.
From time to time, Christopher Reeve appeared on television, was actively involved in social activities, in every possible way drew attention to studies that could help people with spinal injuries, he financed them.
Riva's personal life
During the filming of Superman, Christopher met Gay Exton. Already in 1979, the couple was born the first-born Matthew, and in 1983 - the daughter of Alexander. Exton and Reeve were not married. Together they lived for 9 years, after which they separated. In 1987, Christopher struck up a romantic relationship with dancer Dana Morosini. The romance lasted 5 years, after which the lovers got married. In 1992, the couple had a son, Will. It was Dana who had to experience all the hardships, to help the paralyzed spouse in every possible way.
Christopher never gave up. He was sure that he would be able to defeat the disease. In 2000, the actor even gained the ability to move his index finger. Unfortunately, Superman's heart stopped on October 10, 2004. His wife Dana died on March 6, 2006 from lung cancer.