George Reeves

Early Life and Background

George Reeves, born George Keefer Brewer, was an American actor best known for playing the role of Superman in the 1950s television series “Adventures of Superman” from 1952 to 1958.

Reeves was born on January 5, 1914, in Woolstock, Iowa, USA to Donald Carl Brewer and Helen Lescher. His parents divorced when Reeves was just a baby and his mother moved to Ashland with him to live with relatives. Later, his mother married Frank Joseph Bessolo who adopted Reeves, and he took his last name, going by George Bessolo. Reeves showed interest in acting and singing throughout high school and continued to perform and study acting at Pasadena Junior College. During that time, he worked various jobs, including as a gas station attendant, to support himself during his college years.

Early Acting Career

During his time at Pasadena Playhouse, George Reeves played multiple roles in plays and short films like “Pancho,” “The Monroe Doctrine,” and “Ride, Cowboy, Ride.” His acting career started in 1939 when he received his first role as one of the Tarleton twins, Stuart Tarleton, in *Gone with the Wind*. Reeves’ early film career included signing contracts with Warner Bros. and Twentieth Century Fox and getting minor roles in movies like *Dead Men Tell* and *Espionage Agent*. Reeves’ career took a turn when he met producer Harry Sherman and did a successful screen test for the Hopalong Cassidy films. Reeves appeared in five of the Hopalong Cassidy movies and played the role of Lieutenant John Summers in *So Proudly We Hail!*. However, during World War II, Reeves paused his acting career and enlisted in the army.

Post-War Career Struggles

After the war, Reeves returned to Hollywood to continue his acting career, but the industry was slow in production. He played minor roles and got a second job to make ends meet. Later, Reeves moved to New York in 1949 and performed in live television programs and radio. He also acted in movies like *Rancho Notorious*, *From Here to Eternity*, and *The Blue Gardenia*.

The Role of Superman

In 1951, George Reeves received his most iconic role as Superman in the television series *Adventures of Superman*. His career as Superman began with the first movie *Superman and the Mole Men*. Reeves and his team starred in a total of 104 episodes in the series, with three episodes directed by Reeves. His role as Superman brought him success and made him popular, particularly with young fans. He continued to appear as Superman and took on some live appearances on television shows. However, he was restricted from opportunities for other acting roles that might conflict with the series. He was forced to find other ways to make money through low-rent promotional appearances and even wrestling matches. During this time, his personal life underwent changes, including divorcing his wife and getting engaged to Leonore Lemmon.

Controversial Death

On June 16, 1959, at the age of 45, Reeves was found dead with a gunshot wound to his head in his home at Benedict Canyon, Los Angeles. His death remains a mystery and controversy to this day. The official cause of his death was marked as suicide, but several factors led people to think otherwise, as he was said to be in good spirits at that time and was expected to make a comeback. His wedding was also scheduled a few days after his death.

Legacy

Despite his untimely death, George Reeves’ legacy as Superman is still cherished by young fans and the entertainment industry.