Christopher Reeve might have been the “Man of Metal” on display, however his real-life story was one in all tragedy and resilience.

The actor, who handed away in October 2004 on the age of 52 from coronary heart failure, skilled a life-altering accident that turned his world the other way up. At 42 years previous, the Superman star suffered a extreme spinal wire damage after falling from his horse throughout an equestrian competitors, leaving him paralyzed from the neck down.

Reeve first donned the enduring Superman cape at simply 24 years previous. Regardless of transitioning from taking part in the mightiest hero to going through profound bodily challenges, he maintained an inspiringly constructive outlook on life. “I feel a hero is an atypical particular person who finds the power to persevere and endure regardless of overwhelming obstacles,” he mentioned within the trailer for the documentary Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story.

The upcoming documentary tells the story of Reeve’s life and his evolution right into a passionate advocate for spinal wire damage analysis. His kids proceed to honor his legacy, along with his daughter Alexandra Reeve stating within the trailer, “My dad was very aggressive, and he didn’t essentially decelerate.”

Actress Jane Seymour, who spoke to Folks in March 2024, mirrored on Reeve’s dedication: “He refused to consider that it was inconceivable for folks with spinal accidents to recuperate, and no person was spending a lot cash on spinal accidents. They simply gave up on them, and he mentioned, ‘No, no. Go do one thing about it.’”

Collectively along with his spouse Dana, Reeve based the Christopher and Dana Reeve Basis to assist these affected by spinal wire accidents. In keeping with the muse’s web site, “In 2002, the Reeve Basis’s Nationwide Paralysis Useful resource Heart (NPRC) opened its doorways because of the management and imaginative and prescient of Dana Reeve. Via the NPRC, we function a free, complete, nationwide supply of informational assist for folks residing with paralysis and their caregivers. The first targets of the NPRC are to foster involvement locally, promote well being, and enhance high quality of life.”

Christopher Reeve’s iconic Superman function has been portrayed by different actors through the years, together with Brandon Routh and Henry Cavill, and now David Corenswet is ready to tackle the title function within the upcoming movie directed by James Gunn.