Movies

The Curse of Superman: How tragic jinx has plagued the lives of Men of Steel stars for decades

BBG News

The upcoming Superman film is generating a lot of excitement in Hollywood for what could be a spectacular summer hit, yet there’s a dark cloud looming over its $363.8 million budget.

Over many years, a notorious misfortune, labeled as ‘The Superman Curse’, has cast a shadow over the lives and professions of individuals linked to the figure of Steel Man.

The urban myth originated from an agreement dating back nearly a century, where Jerry Siegel (one of the creators of the iconic character) swore a curse on the successful franchise, as he earned little from its profits.

Ever since then, a succession of difficult circumstances has affected people such as George Reeves, Christopher Reeve, and Margot Kidder, to name a few.

In a 2014 article for Variety, industry expert Brian Lowry noted an unusual trend: even those not influenced by superstition need considerable courage to join the select group of actors portraying Superman, the Man of Steel. This may be because, despite Superman’s traditional values, it’s something parents (and agents) might want to carefully consider before allowing their children to aspire to become Supermen.

In the upcoming James Gunn-directed production, attention is being cast on the new leading man, David Corenswet. As we reflect, DailyMail recounts the heartbreaking incidents that have made modern-day actors pause before taking on the iconic role of wearing the red cape.

Jerry Siegel & Joe Shuster

Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, the duo who brought the iconic character, Jerry, to life, hold a controversial position in historical records – serving as a warning tale of how ordinary individuals can be swallowed up by the ruthless machinery of big corporations in America.

In the 1930s, Siegel and Shuster introduced a character they found hard to sell at first. It was eventually bought by the company Detective Comics in 1938.

DC Comics, more commonly recognized by that name, compensated the gentlemen with $130 for the character’s rights, a figure that eventually escalated into billions in value.

But the total, adjusted for today’s inflation comes out to about $2,493.

In December 1951, Siegel took action against executive Paul Sampliner in DC, after unsuccessful attempts to recover compensation for both Superman and Superboy through legal means.

In a tense conversation, Siegel informed the businessman that he had cast a spell of disfavor upon him. He expressed his deep sense of hurt and frustration, stating he felt like his spirit and aspirations had been trampled by how DC treated him.

Kirk Alyn 

Kirk Alyn initially became famous as the inaugural live-action Superman actor in a 1948 series. However, one significant outcome of assuming this role was the persistent issue of being typecast, which negatively affected his career following his portrayal of the superhero in that serial.

According to his iMDb biography, the actor found it challenging to maintain a film career following the conclusion of the series, and after appearing in minor roles in some films, he ultimately chose to retire in Arizona.

His resume included various voice acting jobs, commercial appearances, and unacknowledged roles, but he also had a brief appearance in the 1978 Richard Donner movie, portraying General Sam Lane, Lois Lane’s father.

Alyn died at 88 in 1999 after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

George Reeves

For six seasons, spanning over 102 episodes from 1952 to 1958, George Reeves starred as the Man of Steel in the television series Adventures of Superman.

Reeves found himself unhappy with his role and salary, and encountered challenges later in his acting journey as he aimed for more substantial roles.

Reeves passed away on June 16, 1959, at the age of 45. The cause of death was a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to authorities.

The subject matter has sparked curiosity among fans, who firmly believe there was something suspicious about it; further fueling this suspicion is a Los Angeles Times obituary that hinted at a sense of mystery surrounding the violent demise of Reeves.

The topic was explored in the 2006 film Hollywoodland, in which Ben Affleck played Reeves.

Christopher Reeve 

The name and likeness most strongly linked to the ups and downs, as well as the “Superman curse,” might be that of the late actor Christopher Reeve.

A strikingly attractive actor, having studied at Cornell University and the Juilliard School, took on the part of Superman with an unparalleled mastery compared to any other performer, appearing in four movies across a ten-year period.

These films were listed as follows, based on Box Office Mojo data: Superman from 1978 ($134,218,018), Superman II from 1981 ($108,185,706), Superman III from 1983 ($59,950,623), and unfortunately, the movie Superman IV: The Quest for Peace from 1987, which only managed to earn $15,681,020.

In 1985, during his preparation for portraying Count Vronsky in a television version of Anna Karenina alongside Jacqueline Bisset, Reeve took up horseback riding.

Unfortunately, while on a horseback ride in Culpeper, Virginia, an accident occurred that resulted in him falling off the horse. This fall caused severe spinal injuries, which came close to claiming his life. As a result, he was left paralyzed from the neck down and had to endure this condition for the remainder of his existence.

After needing a breathing tube for the rest of his life, Reeve relentlessly spearheaded a campaign to find a cure for paralysis through his organization, known as the Christopher Reeve Foundation.

From that moment on, I, an unyielding admirer, found myself entirely engrossed in the pursuit of Reeve’s miraculous journey – a journey aimed at reclaiming the ability to walk once more. And lo and behold, against all odds and scepticism from the medical fraternity, he managed to infuse sensation into his left index finger! But wait, there’s more! This extraordinary man also mastered the art of distinguishing between hot and cold sensations in his recovery process. Simply incredible!

Sadly, the cherished actor passed away on October 10, 2004, at the age of 52, after suffering a heart attack. Regrettably, his wife Dana Reeve lost her life to lung cancer in 2006, at the young age of 44.

Margot Kidder

Actress Margot Kidder played the role of Lois Lane, Superman’s romantic interest, in all four movies starring Reeve as the main character.

In May of 2018, after a long struggle with mental health issues throughout her life, Kidder took her own life at her residence in Helena, Montana.

In August 2018, Park County coroner Richard Wood stated that the Canadian actress passed away due to a tragic combination of drug and alcohol overconsumption, which was self-induced.

On May 13, 2018, the lifeless body of an actress, known for her roles in Sisters (1973), The Great Waldo Pepper (1975), and The Amityville Horror (1979), was discovered in her home near Yellowstone National Park by a friend.

Following some initial uncertainty about her mother’s death, Kidder’s daughter, Maggie McGuane, shared with AP that she felt a sense of relief when the truth about her mother’s last days was made known to the public.

McGuane expressed great relief that the truth has been revealed, stating, ‘Transparency and honesty are crucial for removing any sense of guilt or discomfort when facing this issue.’

This kind of sorrow and agony is quite singular. Considering the numerous families in our state who experience something similar, I truly yearn to extend a comforting word to every single one of them.

Lee Quigley

Back in 1978, I had the incredible opportunity to step into the role of baby Kal-El in the timeless film, Superman. I shared the screen with cinematic legends like Marlon Brando, who breathed life into Jor-El, and Susannah York, who beautifully portrayed Lara. It was an unforgettable experience that marked the beginning of my journey in the world of entertainment.

In the given scene, his character was boarded onto a spaceship meant for Earth as his native planet Krypton was on the brink of destruction.

In this particular setting, his character was boarded onto a spacecraft meant for Earth as his native planet Krypton was on the verge of explosion.

Quigley would tragically die at the age of 14 on March 10, 1991 from inhaling solvents. 

Gene Hackman

The Academy Award-winning actor, who thrived in a legendary Hollywood career marked by movies such as Unforgiven and The French Connection, portrayed the villainous Lex Luthor in three films opposite Reeve in the Superman series.

In early February, he passed away at the age of 95, accompanied by his wife Betsy Arakawa, who was 63 years old, and one of their pets in their New Mexico residence. It was later determined that the actor succumbed to heart disease, while his spouse contracted hantavirus and also passed away.

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2025-07-09 16:53

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