Superman has been portrayed by an American.
Brandon James Routh ( born October 9 , 1979 ) is an American actor and former fashion model . Christopher D'Olier Reeve ( September 25 , 1952 -- October 10 , 2004 ) was an American actor , film director , producer , screenwriter , author , activist and former sportsman . Dean George Cain ( né Tanaka ; July 31 , 1966 ) is an American actor , producer , writer , director , and television show host . George Reeves ( January 5 , 1914 -- June 16 , 1959 ) was an American actor . Kirk Alyn ( born John Feggo , Jr. , October 8 , 1910 -- March 14 , 1999 ) was an American actor , best known for being the first actor to play the DC Comics character Superman in live-action for the 1948 movie serial Superman and its 1950 sequel Atom Man vs. Superman , as well as Blackhawk from the Blackhawk movie serial in 1952 , and General Sam Lane in 1978 's Superman : The Movie . Superman . Several actors have portrayed Superman in motion pictures and TV series including Kirk Alyn , George Reeves , Christopher Reeve , Dean Cain , Tom Welling , Brandon Routh , Henry Cavill , and Tyler Hoechlin . Thomas John Patrick `` Tom '' Welling ( born April 26 , 1977 ) is an American actor , director , producer , and model best known for his role as Clark Kent in The WB/CW superhero drama Smallville ( 2001 -- 11 ) . Tyler Lee Hoechlin ( [ ˈhɛklɪn ] September 11 , 1987 ) is an American actor .