Actors
Every Superman, side by side.
9 actors. Pick any three.
Side by side
Kirk Alyn
Superman
George Reeves
Superman and the Mole Men
Christopher Reeve
Superman
Dean Cain
Lois & Clark
Tom Welling
Smallville
Brandon Routh
Superman Returns
Henry Cavill
Man of Steel
Tyler Hoechlin
Supergirl
David Corenswet
Superman
Kirk Alyn
Superman
George Reeves
Superman and the Mole Men
Christopher Reeve
Superman
Dean Cain
Lois & Clark
Tom Welling
Smallville
Brandon Routh
Superman Returns
Henry Cavill
Man of Steel
Tyler Hoechlin
Supergirl
David Corenswet
Superman
Kirk Alyn
Superman
George Reeves
Superman and the Mole Men
Christopher Reeve
Superman
Dean Cain
Lois & Clark
Tom Welling
Smallville
Brandon Routh
Superman Returns
Henry Cavill
Man of Steel
Tyler Hoechlin
Supergirl
David Corenswet
Superman
First appearance as Superman
Played him in
Age at debut
Red trunks
UK connection
Also
See all 9 in one table
| Actor | Debut | Played him in | Age at debut | Red trunks | UK connection |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kirk Alyn | Superman (1948) | Film serials, 1948–1950 | 37 | Yes | — |
| George Reeves | Superman and the Mole Men (1951) | Film and TV, 1951–1958 | 37 | Yes | — |
| Christopher Reeve | Superman (1978) | Four films, 1978–1987 | 26 | Yes | Filmed in England; won a BAFTA |
| Dean Cain | Lois & Clark (1993) | TV series, 1993–1997 | 27 | Yes | Shown in the UK as The New Adventures of Superman |
| Tom Welling | Smallville (2001) | TV series, 2001–2011 | 24 | Barely seen in the suit | — |
| Brandon Routh | Superman Returns (2006) | Film, 2006 | 26 | Yes | — |
| Henry Cavill | Man of Steel (2013) | Films, 2013–2022 | 30 | No | Born in Jersey; schooled at Stowe, Buckinghamshire |
| Tyler Hoechlin | Supergirl (2016) | TV series, 2016–2024 | 29 | No | — |
| David Corenswet | Superman (2025) | Films, 2025– | 32 | Yes | — |
Live-action Superman only (films and TV). Age is at the first release as Superman. Sources: Wikipedia: Kirk Alyn, Wikipedia: Superman (serial), Wikipedia: George Reeves, Wikipedia: Superman and the Mole Men, Wikipedia: Christopher Reeve, Wikipedia: Superman (1978 film), Wikipedia: Dean Cain, Wikipedia: Lois & Clark, Wikipedia: Tom Welling, Wikipedia: Brandon Routh, Wikipedia: Henry Cavill, Wikipedia: Man of Steel, Wikipedia: Tyler Hoechlin, Den of Geek: Supergirl season 2, episode 1 review, KryptonSite: Supergirl season 2 premiere, Den of Geek: the Superman & Lois costume, AIPT: the new Superman & Lois costume, Comics Beat: The CW unveils the Superman & Lois suit, Wikipedia: David Corenswet, Wikipedia: Man of Tomorrow (film), Wikipedia: Superman (2025 film). More on each actor in our guide to every actor who has played Superman.
Guides
Watch them all.
Every Superman film and series, in order.