Christopher Reeve 1952-2004
Source: Excelsior!
October 11, 2004
SHH Tribute by Chris 'Excelsior' Mason
I can still remember the first time in 1978 that I saw SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE, I was 16 years old it was the first summer after Star Wars had taken the world by storm. I had gone to the theater to see Superman and I ended up staying there ALL day watching the film 3 times in a row. The promotion for the film was “you will be believe a man can fly” - I did, we all did. It was not the special effects that made us believe a man could fly - it was CHRISTOPHER REEVE. Never before or since has an actor been so perfect for a character, Reeve was without a doubt born to play Superman. He accepted a roll that would forever cement him in the minds of fans as the last son of Krypton. Many actors had passed on playing the part fearing that they would be typecast and never work again. Reeve would put on the cape and trunks for three sequels. That took guts.
Nine years ago we were all shocked when Reeve, during an equestrian meet was tossed from his horse and paralyzed from the neck down. In the months and years that passed we were all convinced thru his sheer force of will and determination that he would walk again. I for one was convinced that if anyone could do it, it would be Superman. I knew in my heart that Christopher Reeve would walk again… it was only a matter of time. Sadly time was not on his side. His life should not be measured by the simple fact that he played Superman or that he was paralyzed… no he accomplished so much more than that, and most of it from his wheelchair. Reeve had become an accomplished director, doing TV movies, he had become an outspoken advocate for stem cell research often appearing before congress to try and get all matter of legislation passed. He founded the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation to further aid his cause. His most recent notable on-screen appearance was as the mysterious Dr. Swan on Smallville.
Let us not mourn the passing of SUPERMAN, he will live forever. Let us instead praise the life of CHRISTOPHER REEVE and see to it that the work he was doing will continue, and that in the not too distant future the thousands in wheelchairs today will be able to walk tomorrow.
If there is a heaven, Christopher Reeve is up there now soaring higher than Superman ever could.
Christopher Reeve 1952 – 2004
To learn more about the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation, click HERE.
October 12, 2004: Metropolis Illinois to Honor Christopher Reeve
Metropolis Illinois, the home of Superman, is planning a Candle light vigil in memory of Christopher Reeve.
The candle light vigil will be held on Wednesday evening at 7.00pm at Superman Square in front of the Superman statue.
If you cannot attend, the organizers have asked that instead of sending flowers that you make a donation to the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation.
I heard about this on the news.
I saw that he dead on the news and I was pretty upset.I mean he is a good actor and he lived for along time in a wheelchair.
I pray for his soul that he found happiness and peace before he dead.I really hope so."Look in the sky it is a bird it is plane no it is superman!"You will be missed by all your fans superman for ever!JM 🙁
Originally posted by ~AlluNeedIsLuv~
I'm soo upset... I loved Christopher Reeve
It made me deeply sad and I still can't believe it has happened.
Bryan Singer the director of the new Superman film had said in an interview before his passing that they were planning to cast Reeve in the new Superman film (not as Superman) and have him walk by using some type of CGI. He also still had a recurring role as Dr. Swan in Smallville, a TV show based on Superman's early years. The latest project he was working on was an animation film called "Yankee Irving" which centers on a father and his baseball-playing son who overcomes personal obstacles to realize his dreams. He continued to work on this film just days before his unfortunate death.
Send a Tribute to the Reeve Family
Source: Jim Bowers - CapedWonder
October 19, 2004
Jim Bowers at CapedWonder is putting together a very special Tribute Portolio for the Reeve family. He asked SHH to help spread the word.
Please let everyone know that I will be preparing a leather bound
tribute portfolio for the Reeve family that will contain letters and artwork from fans. I will be mailing it directly to Dana Reeve at her New York home, so she will absolutely receive it (no publicists, agents, etc will see it). I welcome fans to write to me (and/or you can forward some of your best) with letters and artwork (high res as possible so the print reproduction will be excellent - I can take TIFF's high re JPEG's, EPS's, PNG, etc).
I know the family will greatly appreciate everything, as Chris always did when I sent him gifts. The "best of" will also appear on my tribute page on CapedWonder.com
Thanks,
Jim Bowers
Superman's last hours
October 22, 2004
THE widow of Superman star Christopher Reeve has spoken for the first time of their final hours together.
Dana Reeve reflected on her husband's life and death in a touching letter sent to friends and supporters.
The tribute gives a poignant insight into the actor's determination to live as normal a life as possible after he was paralysed from the neck down in a riding accident.
Reeve, who became an activist for the disabled, died at the age of 52.
In her letter Mrs Reeve wrote: "On Saturday, October 9, Chris spent his last day of consciousness doing what he loved to do.
"He left a long phone message for Senator John Kerry lending his support and encouragement. He attended one of Will's [Reeve's son] hockey games, cheering as they won a huge victory, bursting with pride as Will was presented with the game puck for his outstanding playing that day.
"He and I spent the early evening on the phone and then he watched the Yankees game with Will and gobbled up one of his favourite meals, turkey tetrazini."
During the night he fell into a coma. He died from heart failure the next day at Northern Westchester Hospital, New York.
Dana Reeve said her husband remained cheerful, excited about the release of a film he directed, The Brooke Ellison Story. Despite suffering from pressure sores, he did not complain.
Mrs Reeve, his wife of 12 years, continued: "Late that night, weakened by infection and the barrage of maladies which can accompany paralysis, his body failed him.
"At only 52, it was far too soon. There was much he still wanted to accomplish. There was much his children had yet to learn from him.
"It is completely unfair, but life can be that way."
Mrs Reeve said her family had remained happy.
"These nine and a half years for our family have been blessed with joy, laughter and lessons learned," she said.
"Chris gave us all a precious gift by living the life he did, and despite the inherent difficulties of living with disability and illness on an ongoing basis or even, perhaps, because of the very nature of this life, our family has remained happy, intact, focused and deeply connected."
Up to 900 people are expected to attend a service at the Juilliard School, New York, next Friday.
Reeve studied acting there after completing an undergraduate degree in Dramatic Arts at Cornell University. In 1978 he starred in Superman, the first of four films to bring him international stardom.
He was paralysed when his horse baulked at a rail jump in May, 1995.
The actor campaigned for funding and research into spinal cord injuries through the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation. It has awarded millions of dollars in grants to neuroscientists.