5
Credit: Inside the MagicNow that yet another live-action Superman actor has entered the fray with David Corenswet’s brand-new version currently soaring at the global box office, it’s time to look at the seven most popular actors who have played the Man of Steel in television and film.
7. Tom Welling
There’s nothing wrong with Tom Welling’s performance as Clark Kent in the hit series Smallville (2001 — 2011). The trouble is that Welling only plays Clark, and not Superman, as the long-running series largely focuses on the Last Son of Krypton’s time as a teen in Kansas.
It isn’t until Clark ends up in Metropolis that he comes even remotely close to becoming the Superman we all know and love (the public refers to him as “The Blur”). At the end of the two-part finale, titled “Finale”, Clark finally reveals his suit as he prepares to take flight.
6. Brandon Routh
Brandon Routh was given a bit of a raw deal in Bryan Singer’s Superman Returns (2006). Not only was he the first actor on the big screen to follow in the footsteps of the legendary Christopher Reeve, but the underwhelming script doesn’t really let him shine all that much.
Still, Routh is a worthy-enough successor to Reeve, embodying the same spirit that made the late actor so likable on screen. Fortunately, Routh reprised his role as the Man of Steel in the 2019 Arrowverse crossover event “Crisis on Infinite Earths” alongside Tom Welling.
5. Tyler Hoechlin
Though often overlooked, Tyler Hoechlin played an incredibly endearing Man of Steel in Superman & Lois (2021 – 2024). But it wasn’t his first outing as the Kryptonian — that was in Supergirl (2015 — 2021), where he appeared opposite Melissa Benoist’s titular hero.
Along with Welling and Routh, Hoechlin later returned as the character in the Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover. He also appeared in the shows Arrow, The Flash, Batwoman, and DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, before finally getting a lead role in Superman & Lois.
4. Dean Cain
Dean Cain exuded charm and charisma in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1993 — 1997). His chemistry with co-star Teri Hatcher (Lois Lane) was also palpable. The show hasn’t aged all that well, but it’s still a solid follow-up to Christopher Reeve’s four films.
Lois & Clark ran for four seasons, and is among the few iterations of Superman to have a theme tune that’s almost as good as the iconic John Williams score. As for Cain’s performance, he certainly carved out his own name into the walls of the Fortress of Solitude.
Related: All 10 Live-Action ‘Superman’ Movies Ranked Worst To Best
3. David Corenswet
James Gunn’s Superman (2025) has finally arrived in theaters worldwide where it’s making waves at the global box office. The film is a ton of fun, but, more importantly, David Corenswet has proven all those naysayers wrong with his performance as the iconic hero.
While the film itself feels a little bloated at times as Gunn does his usual thing of throwing in an ensemble of zany characters, none outshine Corenswet’s Clark Kent/Superman. He might not hold a candle to the next two actors on our list, but he definitely belongs in that red cape.
2. Henry Cavill
Henry Cavill‘s performance as Clark Kent/Superman in Man of Steel (2013) is nothing short of perfection. Zack Snyder’s reboot paved the way for the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), and though it’s now defunct, with James Gunn’s new film marking the dawn of a new era for DC in film, Man of Steel is widely considered one of the best Superman movies of them all.
Despite being a more serious iteration of Superman than fans were used to at the time, Cavill still manages to embody that indescribable spark that makes the character work so well on screen. Cavill reprised his role in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016), Justice League (2017), Justice League (2021), and Black Adam (2022).
1. Christopher Reeve
Are you really surprised to find Christopher Reeve in the top spot? The late actor, who sadly passed away in 2004, perfectly embodied Clark Kent and Superman in Superman (1978), Superman II (1980), Superman III (1983), and Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987)
However, Reeve is also known for his legacy as an activist, after a horse riding accident in 1995 left him paralyzed from the neck down.
In the decade that followed, Reeve battled with the immense grief and depression his paralysis brought. However, despite his unimaginable plight, he continued to work in the film arena while raising his children. Just one year after his injury, Reeve began to lobby for ground-breaking research that would help combat life-altering spinal cord injuries for many.
The actor’s life, from on-screen Superman to real-life symbol of hope, is chronicled in the documentary film Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story (2024).
Superman (2025)
Superman (2025) is in theaters now.
The new film stars David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, Isabela Merced as Kendra Saunders/Hawkgirl, Edi Gathegi as Michael Holt/Mister Terrific, Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner/Green Lantern, Anthony Carrigan as Rex Mason/Metamorpho, María Gabriela de Faría as Angela Spica/The Engineer, and Krypto the Dog.
Who’s your favorite Superman? Let us know in the comments down below!