Superman is dead.
 

for his role as ``Superman'' in movies and later as an advocate for spinal cord research after a horse-riding accident left him paralyzed nine years ago, died yesterday of heart failure. He was 52.

Reeve, who went into cardiac arrest Oct. 9 at his Pound Ridge, New York, home, fell into a coma and died at the Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco, New York, without regaining consciousness, his publicist Wesley Comb said in a statement. Reeve's family was with him, Comb said.

The 6-foot-4-inch actor with striking good looks and athletic physique became famous for his role as the comic book superhero who goes through life as newspaper reporter Clark Kent. He played Superman in four movies, from 1978 through 1987.

Reeve broke his neck in May 1995 after he fell from a horse. Confined to a wheelchair and unable to talk, Reeve became a leading crusader for research into spinal cord injuries. At a press conference last year, Reeve said it was unsettling how politics has stood in the way of medical research in the U.S.

In last week's debate against President George W. Bush, Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry cited Reeve as a supporter of controversial stem-cell research.


RIP a childhood fav :(

It's such a shame. He is such an iconic figure both before and after his accident.
Even after his life change he still worked tirelessly for others and never gave up hope that he would regain the use of his limbs...
He is and should be to us all, a figure of courage and selflessness we should aspire to...

R.I.P Mr Reeves
Lisaxxx

Astounded to hear him on radio tonight (from September 14th 2004 interview)
Apparently, after having been told that he would have absolutely no feeling or reaction from neck down, he had so much intensive physio that he was able to move his finger and arm.
Also, at great risk to his life he put himself forward for medical research, being the second person to have undergone diaphragm surgery in a bid to breath unaided, and guess what, the surgery was classed a semi success, but his body rejected the silk stitches. The technique was honed and now there are at least 15 further diaphragm surgeries having taken place.
Tip me hat to him.