Christopher Reeve

Reeve as Superman, in 1978, a role he said he hoped would inspire fans to look for superhero qualities - courage, determination, modesty, humor - in themselves instead of passively admiring the man of steel. The actor, who turned personal tragedy into a public crusade for spinal cord research, died Oct. 10, 2004, at age 52.

Reeve flies through the air as Superman while a camera crew films the action, on 57th Street in New York, July 19, 1977. Reeve had acted on Broadway and on a soap opera when he was selected for the role from among about 200 aspirants. His athletic, 6-foot-4-inch frame and love of adventure made him a natural choice, and he insisted on performing his own stunts.

Reeve in a scene from 1978's "Superman."

Reeve, right, and Robin Williams attempt to hail a taxi in New York City, Feb. 9, 1981. Williams went to see Reeve backstage after his performance in the play "The Fifth of July." The two met while students at New York's famed Juilliard School and became lifelong friends.

Reeve, left, and his "Superman III" co-star, comedian Richard Pryor, arrive for a black-tie supper and dance celebrating the film's New York premiere, June 15, 1983.

Sargent Shriver, Vernon Walters, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg, and Reeve, from left, gather at the United Nations for the Special Olympics Sports Awards luncheon, Sept. 13, 1986.

Reeve, left, as Superman, and Gene Hackman are shown in a scene from 1987's "Superman IV: The Quest for Peace." Though he owed his fame to the "Superman" series, Reeve also made a concerted effort to, as he often put it, "escape the cape."

Reeve arrives with his wife, singer-actress Dana Reeve, at the launch of the Planet Hollywood restaurant in London's West End, May 17, 1993. The couple married and had a son, Will, in 1992.

Reeve attends a 1993 function benefiting Rock the Vote.

Reeve, an accomplished equestrian, makes a jump in a cross-country event at the King Oak Farm Horse Trials, Southampton, Mass., May 14, 1995.

Reeve's son Matthew, right, and daughter Alexandra, left, join their mother Gae Exton for an event in London, England, Jan. 10, 1995. Reeve met Exton, who ran a modeling agency, while filming "Superman" in London. They began a relationship that lasted several years, but never wed.

Reeve and his wife, Dana, pose before attending the American Paralysis Association's annual gala in New York's Pierre Hotel, Nov. 9, 1995. Reeve's life changed completely six months earlier, after he broke his neck when he was thrown from his horse during an equestrian competition.

Reeve appears at the 68th Annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles, March 25, 1996. With many wiping away tears, the audience gave Reeve a standing ovation as he urged Hollywood to produce more movies about social issues. "Hollywood needs to do more," he said. "Let's continue to take risks. Let's tackle the issues. In many ways our film community can do it better than anyone else."

Reeve accepts the 1996 National Courage Award given to him by the Courage Center, Oct. 27, 1996, recognizing his service as an advocate for persons with disabilities, in Bloomington, Minn.

Reeve addresses the Democratic National Convention, Aug. 26, 1996, at the United Center in Chicago.

Reeve is honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles, April 15, 1997. His wife, Dana, gives a thumbs up while their son, Will, stands at right.

Reeve poses with Glenn Close at the premiere of "In the Gloaming," April 14, 1997, in Los Angeles. The HBO film marked Reeve's directorial debut.

Reeve carries the Olympic Flame during the 2002 Salt Lake Olympic Torch Relay in the Brooklyn borough of New York, Dec. 23, 2001. With rigorous therapy, Reeve became able to move his index finger and regained sensation in other parts of his body. He vowed to walk again, saying, "setting a goal that seems a bit daunting actually is very helpful toward recovery."

Reeve, left, speaks at the opening of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Paralysis Resource Center in Short Hills, N.J., May 3, 2002. Reeve, accompanied by his wife, Dana, center, and N.J. Gov. James E. McGreevey, right, announced the opening of the resource center which will offer information for people with paralysis and their caregivers.

Reeve smiles during a Capitol Hill press conference, May 7, 2003. In addition to his advocacy for stem cell research and better insurance protection against catastrophic injury, he lobbied Congress to double the funding for the National Institutes of Health, which went from $12 billion in 1998 to $27.2 billion in 2003.