Facts About George Reeves

His death is one of Hollywood's enduring mysteries.

George Reeves as SupermanPhoto byCreative Commons: monstersforsale

When I was a kid, George Reeves was Superman. I read a few of the Superman comic books but didn’t really get into them. While not a huge fan of the TV series, I watched in part, because of limited options. Also, WGN played the show fairly often, sometimes before a Cubs or White Sox game, so Superman was sometimes something of a pregame show for me.

Before writing this piece, I knew George Reeves played Superman, died under mysterious circumstances, and he also appeared in Gone with the Wind. In addition to those things, here are some things you might not have known about George Reeves.

1: George played Stuart Tarleton in “Gone with the Wind,” though he’s incorrectly listed as Brent Tarleton in the credits.

Both he and Fred Crane died their hair red to play the Tarleton twins. It seems like dying your hair red doesn’t make you successful at romance.

2: George appeared in five Hopalong Cassidy movies.

Originally, Hopalong was known as Limpalong but it was changed when it was discovered test audiences didn’t like it. Hold on, being told that’s completely bogus.

3: In June of 1951, George was offered the TV role of Superman but was hesitant to take it because he thought TV was unimportant.

The first year’s episodes were shot in the summer of 1951, and shown in 1952. And Reeves was soon a national celebrity. It was like his celebrity came at a speed that was faster than a speeding bullet.

4: The Superman series was generally shot on a tight schedule. Generally, it was shot in 13 weeks at the rate of two episodes a week.

Superman/Clark Kent really did need to change clothes in a hurry.

5: Reeves was in two movies where his part was completely cut from the movie. They were “The Return of Doctor X” (1939) and “The Man Who Talked Too Much” (1940).

I guess George was not the man who talked too much.

6: Reeves’ Superman contract restricted his ability to take other acting roles, but he was able to make extra money by making personal appearances as Superman.

And while he was making those appearances, he was mindful of his image. He didn’t smoke or bring his girlfriend. It would have been disconcerting to the kids if Superman had smoker’s cough.

7: While Reeves was athletic, his costume was padded.

I believe he and Joan Crawford used the same shoulder pads. Hold on, being told that’s not right.

8: George, as Superman, pitched Frosted Flakes on TV commercials.

Tony the Tiger had a big cape to fill.

9: Reeves was found shot to death in his home on June 16, 1959.

The death was ultimately ruled a suicide, though many don’t believe it. Some felt Hollywood fixer/mogul Eddie Mannix had a role in it. Reeves had an affair with Mannix’s wife which could provide motive. Mannix was also rumored to have had mafia ties, which made his wife an especially poor choice to have an affair with. His death still remains a Hollywood mystery.

10: Reeves supported Noel Neill when she replaced Phyllis Coates as Lois Lane in the second season of Superman.

Fortunately for Superman, neither Lois Lane was sharp enough to figure out his true identity.