Let me tell you a story about a man who became a symbol of strength and resilience, not just because of what he did on screen, but because of how he lived his life off it. In 1995, Christopher Reeve suffered a devastating horseback riding accident that left him paralyzed from the neck down. But even as he lay in bed, unable to move his arms or legs, his dreams remained untethered. “I never dreamed I was in a wheelchair,” he revealed. “Every morning, it took a moment to remember my reality. Then I had to adjust to the fact that I couldn’t move.”
In the nine years between his accident and his passing, this Juilliard-trained actor, who soared to fame as Superman, packed every ounce of life into each day, despite his physical limitations. His youngest son, Will, sums it up perfectly: “Dad only lived to be 52, but wow, did he make those years count. He didn’t let anything stop him from making an impact.”
A new documentary, Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story, is now available to stream on HBO Max. It captures the incredible journey of a man who once played the ultimate superhero but became one in real life after losing his physical abilities. Directors Peter Ettedgui and Ian Bonhôte describe the film as “a poignant tale that pivots on irony: the man who portrayed Superman lost all his physical powers. Yet, he retained his voice, intellect, and an unshakable heart.”
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Christopher Reeve, known for doing his own stunts in the original Superman movie, didn’t let his accident define him, though it wasn’t easy at first. Author Christopher Andersen, who wrote Somewhere in Heaven, a book about Christopher and his wife Dana, shares insights into those early days. “People didn’t realize how close he came to giving up. Here was a guy who woke up every day thinking he’d be flying a plane, sailing a yacht, or playing tennis. Suddenly, he couldn’t feel or move. But Dana stepped in. She told him, ‘I still love you.’ Then she made a promise: ‘Give it two years. If you still feel this way, we’ll revisit the conversation.’”
Reeve’s Journey Through Grief and Determination
Christopher faced a period of profound shock and grief after the accident. He admitted, “First comes the shock, then the grief, confusion, and loss. After that, you have two choices. You can stare out the window and let yourself fade away, or you can gather all your resources—whatever they are—and do something meaningful. I chose the latter.”
One of the greatest joys in Christopher’s life was watching his son Will grow up. Will was almost three when the accident happened. “Will became my source of pride, joy, and laughter,” Christopher said. “Spending time with him always lifted my spirits.” Even though traveling was challenging, Christopher attended Will’s hockey games. “I’ll never forget getting into the van after a game and being showered with compliments,” Will recalls. “I’d tell Dad, ‘Alright, stop!’”
The accident also brought Christopher closer to his older children, Matthew and Alexandra, from his first marriage to British modeling agent Gae Exton. They met during the filming of Superman in London, and though their relationship ended, they worked together to co-parent. “Our parents gave us the gift of unity, even after they separated,” Alexandra says. “Dad never hesitated to express his love for us. He knew the importance of saying things outright, especially after his near-death experience. Losing physical activities meant we had more time to talk, and that was a true blessing.”
Reeve’s Enduring Legacy
Though Christopher never regained the ability to walk, he used his platform to advocate for insurance reform and champion stem cell research. In 2002, he made headlines when he regained some movement in his fingers and toes after undergoing electrical stimulation and muscle exercise. He returned to directing with the 2004 TV movie The Brooke Ellison Story, which told the inspiring tale of a quadriplegic who graduated from Harvard. “Christopher showed us the profound impact one person can have on both family and society,” say the directors of Super/Man. “He embodied perseverance, kindness, and the fight for justice, even in the toughest situations.”
Today, Christopher’s children continue his legacy through the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. Dana, who tragically passed away from lung cancer in 2006, remains a vital part of their mission. “In the short time I had with my parents, they taught me to be grounded and human,” Will says. “I’m proud to be their son and carry their values forward. It’s an honor to keep their legacy alive in a world that needs heroes more than ever.”
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—Reporting by Fortune Benatar
