Played TV's Superman in the 1950s.
He was a heavyweight boxer for a few years, competing in amateur matches.
In his films he could only die from Kryptonite, but in real life his gunshot death is still a mystery.
He married Ellanora Needles in 1940, and the pair divorced nine years later.
While he was celebrated for playing Superman during his life, Christopher Reeve, who has no relation to him, was later noted for his role as Superman.
