George Reeves's 101st Birthday

Regular readers of this blog know that last summer, a plaque was placed in Tarzana, California commemorating the 100th birthdays of Superman creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster and television's first Superman, George Reeves.

Today is Reeves's 101st birthday.

He was born George Keefer Brewer in Woolstock, Iowa. He later moved to Pasadena, California with his mother, who married Frank Bessolo. Bessolo later adopted George.

Reeves, known then as George Bessolo studied and acted at the historic Pasadena Playhouse where he was discovered by Hollywood. His first acting role (as George Reeves) in a motion picture was in 1939's Gone With The Wind.

Above, Sgt. George Reeves in the U.S. Army.

Reeves's career was just beginning to take off when World War II broke out. Like many other Hollywood actors, Reeves enlisted into the service.

Following the war, Reeves had a difficult time re-establishing himself in Hollywood and his marriage also failed.

Above, Lawrence Ryle and George Reeves in "The Star of Fate" (1953).

It was in 1951 that Reeves was selected to portray Superman and Clark Kent in the Adventures of Superman that would be broadcast in a new entertainment medium, television.

Through television, Reeves achieved the stardom he sought through the Adventures of Superman, for better or for worse.

Above, the Superman plaque in Tarzana, California. Photo by Armand Vaquer.