Christopher Reeve, an actor best known as Superman, showed real-life heroism during personal tragedy. But behind the scenes, he was more than just a superhero; he was a super dad to his three children, none of whom followed in his footsteps.

Christopher Reeve was born on September 25, 1952, to a writer/professor dad, Franklin D’Olier Reeve, and a journalist mom, Barbara Johnson. He spent his early years in New York, but his life changed significantly when he was just four. Following his parents’ divorce, his mom moved him and his brother across the Hudson River to New Jersey, where he spent his childhood.

His first brush with acting came when he was nine, after being cast in an amateur version of the operetta “The Yeomen of the Guard,” one of many student plays at his school. His interest in acting was solidified, and after graduating high school, he joined Cornell University and began appearing in films such as “Waiting for Godot,” “The Winter’s Tale,” and “Life is a Dream,” among many others.

After college, he seamlessly transitioned into acting, leaving his mark on classics such as “Love of Life” and “Gray Lady Down.” However, it was his iconic portrayal of Superman in the 1978 blockbuster that cemented his place in movie history. Still, securing this role was no small feat.

Armed with nothing but black shoe polish in his hair to mimic the superhero’s signature look and a makeshift concept costume that barely held together, Christopher gave it his best. After all, this wasn’t just an audition; it was the moment Superman was reborn.

Beneath the unforgiving glare of audition room lights, and with the weight of the moment pressing upon him, he sweated through his audition, ultimately securing the role that would define his career.

Even as he embarked on being Superman, Christopher’s personal life flourished. This period marked the beginning of a journey where Christopher not only conquered the entertainment industry as a superhero, but also embraced the joys and challenges of his off-screen roles with equal passion and commitment.

While filming the first two “Superman” films, he met modeling executive Gae Exton and welcomed his first two kids, Matthew Reeve and Alexandra Reeve Givens. He later married Dana Reeve in 1992, and the pair welcomed their son, William “Will” Reeve, the same year.

Unfortunately, Christopher suffered a strange accident that changed the course of his life forever. Although initially allergic to horses and having to load up on antihistamines when shooting the riding scenes from “Anna Karenina” in 1984, horses later became a big part of the actor’s life. And it was an incident from his horse-riding adventures that left him struggling with severe injuries.

In May 1995, three years after he welcomed his youngest son, he was participating in an equestrian competition when the horse threw him off, and he landed on his head. Despite wearing a helmet and protective vest, the injury was devastating and left his life hanging in the balance.

Life post-accident was difficult for the actor because it left him paralyzed from the neck down and affected every functionality of his body, from his speech and his skin to his bowels and bladder. A close friend recalled:

“He was so terrified that he could die at any moment.”

It was a harrowing journey for him, one that shook the very fabric of his being. Retelling his experience to ABC News’ Barbra Walters shortly after the accident, Christopher confessed to wanting to “pull the plug” before adding:

“You look out the window, and you can’t believe where you are. And the thought that keeps going through your mind is, ‘This can’t be my life. There’s been a mistake.'”