George Reeves was born on January 5th, 1914 in Woolstock Iowa. He grew up in Pasadena, California, where he studied at Pasadena Junior College and appeared onstage at the famous Pasadena Playhouse before starting his career in film and television.
Cast as one of the Tarlton Twins in Gone With The Wind, George actually speaks the first line of dialogue in the classic film as he and his brother Brent woo the lovely Scarlett O'Hara.
George became a journeyman actor, working under contract for all the major studios at one time or another and his starring role in So Proudly We Hail! poised him to break into stardom, but entering the war effort put his career on hold.
He made a number of war training films where he met and befriended another TV icon, DeForest Kelley (Dr. McCoy of Star Trek), before moving to New York to try his hand at live television.
During his stint as The Man Of Steel in the 1950s, Georges good natured charm was evident not only on the screen, but in real life as well. Known fondly as Honest George: The Peoples Friend, George frequently helped out friends and fellow actors by giving out more money than he ever earned. He also used his fame for charitable causes including becoming the chairman for the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation and was instrumental in the creation of the City of Hope, which is a leading Southern California biomedical research and treatment center and hospital for cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
George Reeves died on June 16th, 1959 from a gunshot wound to the head. Officially ruled a suicide, much speculation still exists whether the fatal gunshot was indeed self-inflicted, the result of a horrible accident or whether foul play was involved.
With everyone who was present that evening having passed away, well never know the truth. But regardless of his tragic end, the life and legacy of George Reeves, TVs first Superman lives on in the hearts and minds of his friends and fans as well as in the collective consciousness of the entire world.
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