Christopher Reeve Is Dead

Christopher Reeve, the iconic actor who brought one of the screen's most memorable characters to life, died yesterday at the age of 52. The actor had developed an infection and suffered a heart attack at his home in New York on Saturday, slipping into a coma and finally succumbing on Sunday. Since becoming paralysed from the neck down in a horse riding accident nine years ago, Reeve had become a symbol of hope and courage for the similarly afflicted and the millions of his fans, refusing to let his condition bring an end to his career. He returned to the screen in 1998 for a TV remake of Hitchcock classic Rear Window (for which he won a Screen Actors Guild Award) and also had a recurring role in Superman series Smallville. Reeve was a relative unknown before being cast in Richard Donner's Superman in 1978. His close physical resemblance to the classic comic book hero and a dedication that led him to prepare meticulously for the role secured him the part as the Man of Steel and launched his career, making him an instant star. Three sequels followed, as well as roles in Remains Of The Day, Noises Off and Village Of The Damned among others. "On behalf of my entire family, I want to thank Northern Westchester Hospital for the excellent care they provided to my husband," Reeve's wife Dana said in a statement to press. "I also want to thank his personal staff of nurses and aides, as well as the millions of fans from around the world who have supported and loved my husband over the years." The actor had dedicated much of his recent time to a foundation in support of those suffering from paralysis and was an outspoken advocate of stem cell research. More information on the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation can be found here.