Christopher Reeve

Christopher D'Olier Reeve, arguably iconic for his portrayal of the groundbreaking DC comic superhero, Superman, was an American actor, director, and author. Born on September 25, 1952, in New York City, Reeve carved an illustrious career in film, amassing several stage and screen credits in his 34-year active years. Notable amongst his laurels were a British Academy Film Award, an Emmy Award, a Grammy Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award for his riveting performances. Apart from his acting career, Reeve was renowned for his activism, especially after a horse riding accident rendered him paralyzed from the neck down in 1995, an incident that radically transformed his life. Despite the paralysis, Reeve used his physical condition to champion the rights and research for those living with spinal cord injuries and other forms of disabilities. This included lobbying for spinal cord research, human embryonic stem cell research, and better insurance coverage for people with disabilities. His advocacy work continued till his death on October 10, 2004.