Christopher Reeve's Eldest Son Matthew Reeve Has Similar 'Superman' Height And Physique As His Late Father

Sep 06, 2021 by apost team

The enigmatic actor Christoper Reeve is best remembered for his iconic role as Superman in the 1978 movie of the same name. Christopher's chiseled looks and wonderful acting led him to continue this role in the three sequels that followed. 

But his success wasn't limited to the superhero franchise, as afterward the actor concentrated on taking on roles that were complex and meaningful instead of cashing in his fame for every movie that came his way.

After appearing in more critically acclaimed movies through the 1980s and '90s, Christopher's acting career was abruptly cut short after a tragic accident during an equestrian competition. This accident left a 42-year-old Christopher a quadriplegic for the rest of his life. 

However, with the support of his wife and family, Christopher returned to creative pursuits in his life and started a foundation that helped others with similar injuries and funded agencies that could find a cure for paralysis. 

Through his three children — Matthew Reeve and Alexandra Reeve Givens, who Christopher had with his first wife Gae Exton, and William Reeve, who he had with wife Dana Reeve — Christopher's legacy lives on. 

In fact, not only are all three of Christopher's children proud ambassadors of The Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, but both of his sons have followed their father's career in show business. While Will Reeve has made a few acting and hosting appearances, Matthew prefers to stay behind the camera, working as a writer, director and producer instead. Let's take a look at Matthew's life and work, including his strong resemblance to his late father. 

Christopher Reeve's legacy goes beyond his time acting in the role of Superman, as the actor spent the last decade of his life doing charitable work to bring awareness and a cure to paralysis-related topics, after he himself became a quadriplegic after an equestrian accident that occurred on May 27, 1995. Christopher campaigned with the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation all the way until his death in 2004 at the age of 52.

But although he's no longer with us, Christopher's three children are continuing on his legacy. Matthew Reeve, the eldest of Christopher Reeve's children with ex-partner Gae Exton, was born in London in 1979. His parents were together for nine years, during which time they also had a daughter, who now goes by Alexandra Reeve Givens. After they separated, Matthew and Alexandra were raised by their mother. Furthermore, the siblings also have a younger half-brother named William Reeve from their father's marriage with Dana Reeve née Morosini. 

When Christopher suffered the life-changing accident that left him paralyzed, Matthew and his siblings stood by their father and supported each other after he died. Together, the three are ambassadors for The Reeve Foundation and they continue to do charitable work in the field of spinal cord injury research.

After graduating from Brown University in 2002, Matthew turned his focus to filmmaking. He produced and directed "Christopher Reeve: Hope in Motion," a documentary that would go on to win the Communicator Award for Excellence as well as get nominated for an Emmy Award. It later aired on ABC in the United States and on the BBC in the UK, as well as in various other countries. 

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In 2009 Matthew got admitted into New York University's prestigious Tisch School of the Arts, where he began to study an MBA/MFA dual degree, before graduating in 2012. Since then, he's continued working as a writer, director and producer on movies including "The Land That Never Was," " Hamilton," and "Second Strike," among others.

In 2014, on the 10th anniversary of his father's death, Matthew spoke to ABC about his father's incredible life. He stated:

"I absolutely understand how everyone sees him as Superman. To me he was dad and he was just awesome. He could fly an airplane, he could sail a boat, he was an accomplished piano player."

The moving statement is a testament to the late actor and not only how much he meant to the public but also to his own children. 

And while Matthew has followed his father's career in entertainment, he also inherited a family resemblance. Standing at a jaw-dropping 6' 2", Matthew took on his father's imposing stature, as well as his father's good looks. While he isn't an exact double of his famous dad, there's no mistaking that Matthew is Christopher's son, with his piercing eyes and chiseled bone structure.

Now 41-years-old, Matthew continues to honor his father's legacy but he also wishes to live a life mostly out of the spotlight. While he attends premieres and makes appearances for The Reeve Foundation, the rest of the time the filmmaker lives in Stockholm, Sweden with his longtime partner and their children, preferring a quiet life out of the paparazzi's gaze. 

Do you see the resemblance between Matthew Reeve and his late father Christopher Reeve? If you learned something from this then pass it on so your friends can read about it too!