What was Christopher Reeve’s Net Worth?
Christopher Reeve, the American actor and director, had a net worth of $10 million at the time of his death in 2004. He was most famous for his portrayal of Superman in the 1978 film and its subsequent sequels.
Unfortunately, Reeve was paralyzed from the shoulders down after an equestrian accident. Despite this, he continued to work as a director, wrote two autobiographies, and became a prominent advocate for spinal cord research and environmental causes.
Early Life and Career
Christopher D’Olier Reeve was born on September 25, 1952 in New York City. His parents divorced when he was four, and he moved with his mother and brother to Princeton, New Jersey. Reeve excelled as a student and athlete at Princeton Country Day School, where he also began acting at the age of nine. He continued to develop his acting skills at the Williamstown Theatre Festival, where he apprenticed at the age of 15.
Christopher Reeve’s Education and Acting Career
After graduating high school in 1970, Christopher Reeve considered pursuing acting but decided to obtain a degree first. He was accepted into several prestigious universities, including Cornell, where he ultimately enrolled to avoid the temptation of professional acting in New York City.
Reeve continued acting as a student and worked with New York City agent Stark Hesseltine while still completing his degree. This strategy proved successful, as Reeve toured in a production of Forty Carats and signed a contract with the San Diego Shakespeare Festival.
During his junior year, Reeve convinced Cornell faculty to allow him to finish his degree at Juilliard’s Advanced Program in New York City. After a year at Juilliard, he graduated from Cornell in 1974.
Christopher Reeve’s Career Highlights
Christopher Reeve landed the role of Clark Kent/Superman in the 1978 film of Superman, which became a massive success and made him a household name. He went on to reprise his role in three sequels. Reeve also starred in other films like Somewhere in Time, Street Smart, and The Bostonians, and worked in television and theater throughout his career. He directed the 1997 film In the Gloaming, which was nominated for five Emmy Awards, and produced and starred in Rear Window in 1998, winning a Screen Actors Guild Award and receiving a Golden Globe nomination. Reeve wrote two autobiographies, Still Me and Nothing Is Impossible.
Christopher Reeve’s Earnings for Superman Movies
Christopher Reeve earned a total of $250,000 for the 1978 movie “Superman”. For the 1980 sequel “Superman II”, he was paid $500,000. His earnings increased to $1 million for both “Superman III” in 1983 and “Superman IV” in 1987.
Christopher Reeve’s Personal Life
Reeve had two children, Matthew Exton Reeve and Alexandra Exton Reeve, with his partner Gae Exton, a modeling executive whom he met while filming Superman. The couple separated amicably after a ten-year relationship and decided to share joint custody of their children.
In 1992, Reeve married singer and actress Dana Morosini. The couple had a son, William, during the same year.
Reeve’s Life-Altering Accident
Christopher Reeve’s life took an unexpected turn after a horseback riding accident in 1995. The actor had become an experienced horseman and was competing in dressage competitions when his horse suddenly stopped mid-jump, causing Reeve to fall and shatter his first and second vertebrae. He was hospitalized for several days and woke up to the devastating news of his paralysis.
Reeve underwent months of rehabilitation and physical therapy, committing himself to an intensive exercise regime. His dedication paid off as he regained some small movements in his fingers and a wider range of temperature sensation. Despite his condition, Reeve remained an inspiration to many and received an estimated 400,000 letters from fans and well-wishers after his accident.
Christopher Reeve’s Legacy
After his horseback riding accident left him paralyzed, Christopher Reeve became a strong advocate for disability rights and legislation. He was elected as Chairman of the American Paralysis Association and Vice Chairman of the National Organization on Disability. Reeve also founded the Christopher Reeve Foundation to encourage research for paralysis cures. Despite his challenges, Reeve remained committed to his family and wrote two autobiographies. He passed away in 2004 after falling into a coma, and two funerals were held in his honor. His wife, Dana Reeve, tragically died of lung cancer in 2006.
Christopher Reeve’s Pound Ridge Mansion
In 1992, Christopher Reeve purchased a 3-acre, newly-built home in Pound Ridge, New York. The 16-room mansion was listed for sale in June 2006 for just under $3 million. The decision to sell the property came several months after the passing of Reeve’s wife, Dana, from lung cancer.
You May Also Like
ncG1vNJzZmiopaG9ta3SraCcZpOkunCvx6ugrKyfpbWmvoyrnJ6ulWK7psCMsKarrJhk