Fans Rank 10 Best Superman Actors of All Time

Superman is one of the most adapted superheroes of all time. He appeared in numerous TV shows, movies & animated media so it’s not surprising that quite a few actors have donned the mantle or lent the voice to the iconic character.

From the classic portrayals that defined a generation to the modern interpretations that have reimagined the character for new audiences, Superman remains a beloved symbol of hope, justice, and strength. Due to this, fans gathered on Ranker where over 10 thousand fans ranked all Superman actors from worst to best, and we decided to bring you the best among them.

10. Nolan North (824 Votes)

While he may not have portrayed Superman in live-action, North has lent his talents to voicing the Man of Steel in various animated projects. His portrayal of Superman is marked by capturing the iconic strength, integrity, and sense of duty.

9. Dean Cain (1100 Votes)

Dean Cain portrayed Superman in ‘Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman’ (1993-1997). His charismatic and charming performance as the Man of Steel endeared him to audiences around the world which is why he ended so high on this list.

8. George Newbern (1186 Votes)

George Newbern has been voicing Superman for over 20 years at this point. His voice brings gravitas and authority to the character, perfectly capturing Superman’s unwavering dedication to truth, justice, and protecting the innocent.

7. George Reeves (1472 Votes)

George Reeves is remembered as one of the earliest actors to don the iconic red and blue suit of Superman in the 1950s television series ‘Adventures of Superman.’ His portrayal of the Man of Steel introduced a generation of viewers to the superhero, and to this day, he remains the synonym for the character.

6. Brandon Routh (2092 Votes)

Brandon Routh played the character in ‘Superman Returns’ and ‘Batwoman’ (“Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part Two,” 2019), his portrayal was mostly marked by being an homage to Reeve’s Superman. He is still remembered fondly in the community despite being a Superman for a short time.

5. Tim Daly (2455 Votes)

Tim Daly is renowned for his portrayal of Superman in the beloved animated series “Superman: The Animated Series.” Despite being a truly great voice actor, the actor himself admitted that he didn’t really appreciate voicing Superman at the time.

4. Tom Welling (2556 Votes)

Welling spent the shortest amount of time as Superman despite playing Clark Kent for 11 years in ‘Smallville,’ a show we all fondly remember. Still, he is the most recognizable Superman actor to this day, raising a generation of nerds.

3. Tyler Hoechlin (2870 Votes)

Tyler is a highly controversial choice for the third spot since plenty of “fans” don’t consider him to be a true Superman. Tyler’s only sin is playing the character in CW’s ‘Superman & Lois.’ Despite this, the majority of fans recognized in time how great Hoechlin’s portrayal of the character is. He is cool, he is wholesome, and he embodies all the right values, family, love, courage, and heroism in the face of severe adversity and fear. I personally cannot wait to see what he has in store for us in season 4.

2. Henry Cavill (3690 Votes)

Cavill was the Superman of now rebooted DCEU, and he was truly different since Snyder decided to change some core qualities of the character and go in a darker direction. There were many problems in Snyder’s DCEU but Cavill was not one of them, and fans were sorely disappointed when Gunn decided to recast the role and go with much younger David Corenswet. Still, Cavill’s first portrayal of the character earned him mixed reviews at best.

1. Christopher Reeve (3778 Votes)

You probably expected him at the number 1 spot. Christopher Reeve is widely regarded as one of the most iconic actors to have portrayed Superman. His portrayal of the Man of Steel in the classic Superman films of the late 1970s and early 1980s remains legendary and beloved by audiences around the world. Reeve brought a perfect balance of charisma, charm, and heroism to the role, embodying the quintessential qualities of the iconic superhero. Following his accident, he proved heroism off-screen as well serving as an eternal inspiration for many around the world.

What are your thoughts on the list? Let us know in the comments below!