WEIRDO Ranks: Every Live-Action Superman Actor 🦸🏻‍♂️ (Part 4 of 5)
It’s a bird… It’s a plane… It’s SUPERMAN!
Numerous actors have donned the Man of Steel’s iconic red and blue tights in the 70+ years since Kirk Alyn first portrayed the character in the 1948 movie serial titled Superman. Every on-screen iteration of the Last Son of Krypton has provided something unique to the mythos. However, though every actor has done the character justice in their own way, it’s time to see who should come out on top.
This series seeks to provide my personal ranking of each live-action interpretation of the all-time most iconic superhero! I hope you all enjoy, and remember to hit that clap button as well as comment where you would rank each Superman actor on your personal list.
Disclaimer: There are three live-action outings that I either haven’t seen whatsoever or haven’t finished, and those are the Superman movie serials, Superman TV series/movie, and the Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman TV series in 1948, 1957, and 1993, respectively. Therefore, I have chosen to leave each respective Superman actor out of this particular ranking. Oh, and if you haven’t seen any of these projects, there could be minor spoilers ahead!
2. Tyler Hoechlin (CW’s Supergirl, CW’s Crisis on Infinite Earths, CW’s Superman & Lois)
“I haven’t always been there for you. But I promise you, from now on, I will be.”
Before Supergirl made the move from the CBS network to the CW for its second season, it was announced that the series would be introducing its version of the Man of Steel. Famously receiving the role immediately after auditioning, Teen Wolf alum Tyler Hoechlin was chosen for the pressure-inducing task ahead of him.
With his various appearances throughout the Arrowverse, Hoechlin quickly proved to the world at large that he belonged in the upper echelon of Supermen. He has the Christopher Reeve-esque smile, the toughness of Henry Cavill, and an emotional range that surpasses CW standards.
Hoechlin firmly establishes his Clark Kent as a man capable of balancing fatherhood with being a superhero, grounding the show in a way I never thought possible with a godly character like Superman. When he’s not coaching his son’s football games or catching up with old friends, he’s out there battling the some of the deadliest threats to the planet.
Hoechlin naturally embodies the role as he travels around the world in a moment’s notice saving as many lives as he can. His portrayal of the last Kryptonian truly exemplifies what it means to be a hero of the globe rather than the hero of just one city. Though the responsibility comes with a toll, he never seems to lose his lighthearted demeanor, remaining a true do-gooder throughout.
With season 3 of the CW series currently filming at the time of writing this, Hoechlin seems to be completely in his bag. Behind the scenes photos suggest that even off-screen, the 35-year-old actor truly acts like Superman, cheesing brightly while waving to fans. His costume even seems to be a major upgrade from the previous season, though neither of the suits he’s sported in the past have ever missed a beat.
Honestly, Hoechlin is so well-casted in the role it’s understandable why a single screen test sufficed to make him the star. The guy has charisma, gravitas, and a likeable charm necessary for the character. It’s tough to imagine anyone else in his place as far as Superman & Lois goes, but of course, there could only be one true G.O.A.T. of all the live-action Superman actors…
