# DC Comics’ Man of Steel on Screen: 10 Superman Actors, Ranked

From left: Henry Cavill, Tyler Hoechlin and Tom Welling, all portraying various versions of Clark Kent/Superman. Photos Courtesy: Warner Bros./Everett Collection; Katie Yu/The CW/Everett Collection; Warner Bros./Everett Collection. Logo Courtesy: DC Comics/Wikimedia Commons

If it feels like Superman has been around forever, it’s because the Man of Steel is an impressive 84 years old. DC Comics’ iconic superhero debuted in _Action Comics #1_ in 1938, and, a decade later, made the jump — or quick flight, really — onto our screens. Kirk Alyn starred in that first live-action serial, but that doesn’t mean he’s the definitive actor behind the caped Kryptonian.

The well-known symbol on Superman’s chest might stand for hope, but that doesn’t mean every Clark Kent hopeful made it work. So, from Christopher Reeve and Dean Cain to Tyler Hoechlin and Henry Cavill, we’re taking a look at the best — and worst — Superman actors. 

## The Worst Man of Steel Actors

### **10\. Dean Cain |_Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman_ (1993–97)**

Dean Cain’s Superman felt very wooden. It was almost like he was trying to play the role partly as an homage to the likes of George Reeves and Kirk Alyn — actors who took up the Superman mantle in the ‘40s and ‘50s — but he failed to capture their charm.

From left: Lori Fetrick and Dean Cain in _Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman_. Photo Courtesy: ABC/Everett Collection

Moreover, Cain’s attempt felt a little outdated. While Reeves and Alyn might’ve sold the role back in their day, Cain’s approach felt a bit cheesy, even campy, in the ‘90s. And not necessarily in a fun way. In fact, a lot of his popularity boils down to looks. Honestly, the real star of _Lois & Clark_ was Teri Hatcher (_Desperate Housewives_). 

### **9\. John Haymes Newton |_Superboy_ (1988)**

We’re including a few _Superboy_ actors here, which may sound a bit confusing. These days, you likely know Superboy as a completely different character from Superman, but, in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, the show _Superboy_ followed a young adult version of Clark Kent. So, despite the more youthful names, these actors did technically play a younger Kal-El. 

(Also, around the same time, the _Man of Steel_ comics reboot erased the Superboy character from the continuity, leaving the name up for grabs, I guess.)

John Haymes Newton in the first season of _Superboy_. Photo Courtesy: Viacom/Everett Collection

Anyway, John Haymes Newton was cast as Superboy in the show’s first season. Since he was in his early 20s, the actor did feel like a more youthful Clark, especially compared to the live-action portrayals that came before his. But, in part, Newton ranks so low because he never really got the chance to establish himself as the future Superman. When Newton tried to negotiate a 20% pay raise, the show recast him faster than a speeding bullet. 

### **8\. Gerard Christopher |_Superboy_ (later, _The Adventures of Superboy_) (1989–92)**

And that brings us to John Haymes Newton’s replacement, Gerard Christopher. For the show’s next three seasons — it was renamed _The Adventures of Superboy_ for its third and fourth seasons — Christopher played the titular role. However, much of the show’s popularity likely stems from the fact that it was a daytime network show. Had this iteration of Superman been released in movie theaters, it wouldn’t have fared well. 

Gerard Christopher in _Superboy_ (later, _The Adventures of Superboy_). Photo Courtesy: Everett Collection

Not to mention, Christopher was 30 years old when he replaced Newton as a young Clark Kent. So, despite the show’s title, he was most definitely not a “Super**boy** ” by any means. To put it plainly, this show tried to do what _Smallville_ later achieved much more successfully, making _Superboy_ (and both lead actors) rather forgettable. 

### **7\. Brandon Routh |_Superman Returns_ (2006)**

Maybe Superman shouldn’t have returned in 2006. While Brandon Routh looked the part, he just wasn’t a believable Man of Steel. In the film, Superman returns to Earth after a five-year absence. Lois Lane has moved on. And Lex Luthor has moved on to his next sinister scheme — a scheme that’s honestly unhinged, even by superhero movie standards. But the real issue is that this melancholy film is anchored by a star who lacks the must-have Superman charisma. 

Brandon Routh in _Superman Returns_. Photo Courtesy: Warner Bros./Everett Collection

A few years ago, Routh put on the cape one last time in the _Crisis on Infinite Earths_ crossover event on The CW — characters from the Arrowverse shows, like _Legends of Tomorrow_ , _Batwoman_ , _The Flash_ , _Black Lightning_ and _Supergirl_ , all joined forces, and there were many, many cameos from DC actors of the past. Even in this TV crossover, Routh was outshone by the other Men of Steel. 

## The Good-for-Their-Time Kal-Els

### **6\. George Reeves |_Adventures of Superman_ (1952–58)**

From 1952–58, George Reeves stepped into the role of Superman. At the time, his portrayal might’ve been a little too convincing. The Clark Kent of the ‘50s had a terrifying brush with a young fan, who held him at gunpoint because he wanted to test Superman’s invincibility. 

George Reeves (center) in _Adventures of Superman_.

A quick-thinking Reeves convinced the kid to put the gun down, telling him the bullet would bounce off of him and potentially injure someone else. Looking back, his performance isn’t super convincing simply because the series didn’t age well. But, at the time, he was clearly a solid pick. 

### **5\. Kirk Alyn |_Superman_(1948) & _Atom Man vs. Superman_ (1950)**

Adored by fans in the late ‘40s and early ‘50s, Kirk Alyn holds the distinction of being the first actor to play Superman/Clark Kent in a live-action work. In 1948, he starred in _Superman_ , a 15-part serial — essentially, a film cut into parts — that screened at movie theaters’ matinée showings. 

Kirk Alyn (center) in _Superman_. Photo Courtesy: Everett Collection

Most chapters end with a cliffhanger, which encouraged viewers to return for future installments. In fact, it was such a financial success for Columbia Pictures that the studio produced a sequel serial in 1950, _Atom Man vs. Superman_. Not to mention, first-run theaters that never showed serials started screening the popular _Superman_ shorts. 

With a small budget and a campy feel that emulated the comics of yesteryear, Alyn’s serials feel pretty dated. Still, he gave the viewers of the day a great performance worthy of the Man of Steel. 

## The Best Man of Steel Actors

### **4\. Tyler Hoechlin |_Superman & Lois_ (2021–) & _Supergirl_ (2015–21)**

A good actor will make viewers forget their previous roles, and that’s exactly what Tyler Hoechlin, a Teen Wolf veteran, has done with his portrayal of Clark Kent/Superman. Before landing _Superman & Lois_ on The CW, Hoechlin played the Man of Steel in The CW’s _Supergirl_. In the show, Kara Zor-El — a.k.a. Kara Danvers — is supposed to protect her infant cousin, Kal-El (a.k.a. Clark) on Earth. But when the two flee a doomed Krypton, Kara’s pod is derailed, landing her in the timeless Phantom Zone for a few decades. 

From left: Adam Rayner (back to camera) and Tyler Hoechlin in _Superman & Lois_. Photo Courtesy: Bettina Strauss/CW/Everett Collection

Once Kara (Melissa Benoist) arrives on Earth, her cousin is not only older than her, but a bona fide superhero. Hoechlin plays a great mentor in _Supergirl_ , and it’s exciting to see the two cousins fighting alongside each other. Best of all, he’s pretty humble, admitting when Kara has better odds than him in a fight. And that feels very Superman. 

In the spin-off series, _Superman & Lois_, the titular couple have two kids. This is something of a departure from other live-action portrayals, so seeing the fatherly side of Clark is fun. Hoechlin gives a wholly convincing portrayal of a family man pretending to be ordinary _and_ a do-good superhero. Clearly, this is what _Lois & Clark_ from the ‘90s wanted to be.

### **3\. Henry Cavill |_Man of Steel_(2013), _Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice_ (2016) & _Justice League_ (2017)**

It can’t be denied that Henry Cavill was great in _Man of Steel_ (2013). Okay, so the movie wasn’t beloved by everyone, but Cavill brought something different to the role. Although Clark’s general backstory is the one we’re all familiar with, the world around him isn’t looking for a superhero or willing to accept one. Instead, there’s a strong mistrust of anyone who’s different, including our caped hero. 

Henry Cavill in _Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice_. Photo Courtesy: Warner Bros./Everett Collection

In Cavill’s follow-up outing, _Batman v. Superman_ (2016), his charisma was once again foiled by an incredibly lacking script and empty action sequences. And 2017’s _Justice League_ wasn’t much better. It’s honestly frustrating to see Cavill’s Superman go to waste in otherwise bogged down — or straight up messy — DC Extended Universe (DCEU) films. Here’s hoping he gets a Superman film befitting his abilities. 

### **2\. Tom Welling |_Smallville_ (2001–10)**

In _Smallville_ , Tom Welling plays a high school version of Clark Kent, long before he becomes Superman. He has the powers, of course, but he’s just a farm boy who’s 10 years away from becoming the full-fledged Man of Steel we all know and love. This different approach to the character allowed Welling to make the role his own. 

From left: Michael Rosenbaum and Tom Welling in _Smallville_. Photo Courtesy: Sergei Bachlakov/Warner Bros./Everett Collection

Young fans got the chance to grow up alongside Clark. Not to mention, the show aired for a decade — and it wasn’t canceled. Instead, it had a planned conclusion. That speaks volumes about _Smallville_ ’s success, which is largely thanks to Welling’s performance. 

### **1\. Christopher Reeve |_Superman_ (1978), _Superman II_ (1980), _Superman III_ (1983) & _Superman IV: The Quest for Peace_ (1987)**

It’s hard to imagine anyone else in the top spot. Christopher Reeve became the benchmark for who Superman should be on screen. Although he first donned the red cape and blue spandex back in 1978, Reeve is perhaps the most memorable Man of Steel to this day. Sure, _Superman IV: The Quest for Peace_ (1987) is best forgotten, but his first three outings as Clark Kent more than make up for that. 

Christopher Reeve in _Superman_ (1978). Photo Courtesy: Everett Collection

The first film has all the classic Superman elements, from an infant Kal-El escaping Krypton to a super-powered Clark Kent moving to Metropolis to fight crime, woo Lois Lane (Margot Kidder) and stop Lex Luthor (Gene Hackman). Reeve perfectly captures both Superman’s strength and his honest naïveté — but he never loses the charm or believability either. 

If you’re ever feeling down, Reeve’s performance _Superman_ will give you a dose of wonder you haven’t felt since you were a kid.