OK, so technically, none of the roles portrayed in any of “Superman” caused anyone to have a nervous breakdown. However, what happened to the actors afterward is so bizarre I thought it would be fitting to put at number five on my list. Some could even call it a curse. However, a nervous breakdown did happen to one of the main actors. Let me explain…

George Reeves: Back in the 50s, Superman had his own TV show called “Adventures with Superman.” The title character was portrayed by George Reeves (weird right? George Reeves and Christopher Reeve? I mean, how common is a name like Reeve/s?) Moving on…

The show ran from 1952 to 1958. A year later, Reeves was found dead at his home. He apparently was not faster than a speeding bullet as a gunshot to the head caused his unfortunate death.

The official ruling was suicide. However, he was supposed to get married a few days later causing speculation as to whether there was foul play involved. An underrated film (and also widely unknown film) starring Ben Affleck was made about Reeves. Here’s the trailer.

Up next, Christopher Reeve: There’s not much to say here that most people don’t already know. Reeve, who portrayed the man of steel in four popular films, was involved in a horse riding accident which caused him to become a paraplegic. He died nine years later as a result of complications from his condition.

How ironic is it that the man who was best known as an iconic invincible superhero, became the exact opposite of that physically? Still, his mental capacity, strength, courage and determination to find a cure for paralysis made him a real-life hero in the eyes of many.

In addition, he was the best Superman ever in my opinion, perfectly cast. I think most would agree. Let’s take a look at Reeve being a bad ass Superman.

Christopher’s wife Dana: Even though she did not appear in the “Superman” movies, she died less than two years after her husband did from lung cancer. She was 44.

Marlon Brando: Brando is recognized as one of the greatest actors who ever lived. While he was always controversial and borderline insane, after a long career things really turned tragic for Brando after portraying the father of Superman, Jor-El, in the original 1976 Christopher Reeve version. Once a sex icon, within two years after the film’s release he gained over 200 pounds, shocking everyone from when he showed up on the set for “Apocalypse Now.” (Hey, remember when I talked about Martin Sheen and how his role in that particular film caused him to have a nervous breakdown?)

It gets worse. Later on, Brando’s son killed his sister’s boyfriend and went to prison. His daughter, distraught from grief, committed suicide. Anyway, he was still awesome as Jor-El. Let’s take a look!

Margot Kidder: Finally, we get to the lady who actually had a nervous breakdown. Kidder is best known as Lois Lane in “Superman,” “Superman II,” and “Superman IV.” Kidder was not as tough as the real Louis Lane though, because in the nineties she was found naked in Los Angeles by police after suffering a complete mental breakdown. 

Oh yeah, did I mention her complete and utter meltdown happened within a year of Christopher Reeve becoming paralyzed. Talk about coincidence.

So there it is. The end of my series and the moral to today’s blog is…never…ever…ever…take a role in anything involving Superman.