SUPERMAN Star’s Kids Celebrate His Real-Life Heroism
By Movieguide® Contributor
SUPERMAN actor Christopher Reeve’s kids love their dad.
The upcoming documentary, SUPER/MAN: THE CHRISTOPHER REEVE STORY, showcases the actor’s life and tragic accident, and his children couldn’t be more grateful for him.
A synopsis of the documentary reads:
The story of Christopher Reeve is an astonishing rise from unknown actor to iconic movie star, and his definitive portrayal of Clark Kent/Superman set the benchmark for the superhero cinematic universes that dominate cinema today. Reeve portrayed the Man of Steel in four SUPERMAN films and played dozens of other roles that displayed his talent and range as an actor, before being injured in a near-fatal horse-riding accident in 1995 that left him paralyzed from the neck down. After becoming a quadriplegic, he became a charismatic leader and activist in the quest to find a cure for spinal cord injuries, as well as a passionate advocate for disability rights and care — all while continuing his career in cinema in front of and behind the camera and dedicating himself to his beloved family.
Reeve’s three kids — Matthew, Alexandra and Will Reeve — reflected on his life and career.
“Heroism is so much more than superficial strength and a glossy image,” Will, 32, told PEOPLE. “It’s about integrity, showing up for your family, persevering through hard circumstances, and still having that joy for life. That was our dad.”
“It’s a beautiful thing to be able to see the full picture of a person’s life,” Alexandra, 40, added. “There were high highs and low lows but also two deep true loves and [three] kids that together blended into this beautiful family.”
Matthew, 44, explained that they wanted to be able to tell the full story of their father’s life, not just the good parts.
“We intended to honor his story but not make it a sugarcoated puff piece,” he said.
“[Reeve’s] near-fatal horse-riding accident in 1995 left him paralyzed from the neck down, after which he became a prominent advocate for spinal cord injury research and disability rights, using his platform to raise awareness and funds,” PEOPLE reported. “Under his leadership, the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation became a leading force in spinal cord injury research.”
The three kids hope the documentary shows viewers “how hard Reeve’s life was after the accident, from learning how to breathe on his own without a respirator, to the cost and physical toll it took on the actor and his caregivers, including his devoted wife Dana who threw herself fully into taking care of her husband.”
The actor died in October 2004 at the age of 52 from heart failure.
SUPER/MAN: THE CHRISTOPHER REEVE STORY is slated to hit theaters on Saturday, Sept. 21.
Movieguide® previously reported:
SUPERMAN star Christopher Reeve’s wife Dana showed him unconditional love in the midst of the most tragic event of his life.
The recent trailer for the upcoming documentary SUPER/MAN: THE CHRISTOPHER REEVE STORY revealed the special moment.
While in the hospital paralyzed after a horse-riding accident, Reeve wanted to give up his fight for his life.
“I ruined my life and everybody else’s. I won’t be able to ski, sail, throw a ball to Will. Won’t be able to make love to Dana. Maybe we should let me go,” Reeve says in the trailer. Then he recounted the moment his wife restored his hope.
“And then she said the words that saved my life: ‘You’re still you. And I love you,’” he reflected.
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