Updated
Superman actors in order: everyone who played him
Every actor who has played Superman in film, TV and animation, from Kirk Alyn and Christopher Reeve to Henry Cavill, Tom Welling and David Corenswet.
The short answer
The main live-action Supermen are Kirk Alyn (1948), George Reeves (1951–1958), Christopher Reeve (1978–1987), Dean Cain (1993–1997), Tom Welling (2001–2011), Brandon Routh (2006), Henry Cavill (2013–2022), Tyler Hoechlin (2016–2024) and David Corenswet (2025–).
Live action
| Actor | Years | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Kirk Alyn | 1948, 1950 | Superman and Atom Man vs. Superman serials |
| George Reeves | 1951–1958 | Superman and the Mole Men; TV’s Adventures of Superman |
| David Wilson | 1975 | It’s a Bird… It’s a Plane… It’s Superman (ABC TV film of the musical) |
| Christopher Reeve | 1978–1987 | Superman I–IV |
| John Haymes Newton / Gerard Christopher | 1988–1992 | Superboy (TV) |
| Dean Cain | 1993–1997 | Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman |
| Tom Welling | 2001–2011 | Smallville |
| Brandon Routh | 2006, 2019 | Superman Returns; Arrowverse Crisis on Infinite Earths |
| Henry Cavill | 2013–2022 | Man of Steel, Batman v Superman, Justice League, Black Adam cameo |
| Tyler Hoechlin | 2016–2024 | Supergirl; Superman & Lois |
| David Corenswet | 2025– | Superman (2025), Man of Tomorrow (2027) |
See how the suit changed from Reeve to Corenswet, red trunks and all.
Christopher Reeve
For many fans Reeve is still the definitive Superman. He made Clark Kent and Superman feel like two different people, and the 1978 film’s tagline promised audiences they would believe a man could fly. After a riding accident in 1995 left him paralysed, he became a well-known campaigner for spinal-injury research. He died in 2004.
Henry Cavill
Cavill, from Jersey, was the first British actor to play Superman in a lead film role. His version was more conflicted and alien, in keeping with Zack Snyder’s darker tone.
David Corenswet
Corenswet was cast in 2023 for James Gunn’s reboot. His warm, optimistic Superman has been widely compared to Reeve’s. He returns in Man of Tomorrow, and you can watch all of these performances using our Superman films in order guide.
Voice actors
- Bud Collyer: radio (1940–1951) and the Fleischer cartoons
- Tim Daly: Superman: The Animated Series (1996–2000)
- George Newbern: Justice League and Justice League Unlimited
- Jack Quaid: My Adventures with Superman (2023–)
Questions
Who plays Superman now?
David Corenswet plays Superman in the DCU, starting with Superman (2025) and continuing in Man of Tomorrow (2027). Earlier film Supermen include Christopher Reeve, Brandon Routh and Henry Cavill. Tom Welling, Dean Cain and Tyler Hoechlin played him on TV.
Who was the first actor to play Superman?
On screen, Kirk Alyn in the 1948 Columbia serial Superman. Before that, Bud Collyer voiced him on radio from 1940 and in the Fleischer Studios cartoons from 1941.
Who played Superman the longest?
Tom Welling played Clark Kent for ten seasons of Smallville (2001–2011), which is the longest live-action run.