Christopher Reeve, who rose to fame as the star of the Superman films, has died of heart failure aged 52. His screen life had started on a TV soap opera when he was awarded the role of the superhero, in which he so perfectly portrayed the icon that his other roles tended to be forgotten. Nevertheless, he made a strong impression in cult science fiction romance Somewhere in Time, mystery Deathtrap and The Remains of the Day. In 1995 he was tragically paralysed in a riding accident, but didn't let the incident hold him back - he worked tirelessly to overcome his condition and fund research into a cure. In later years he had guest starred in Smallville, the Superman TV show.
