George Reeves: The Mysterious Death of Superman
In the early hours of June 16, 1959, a shot rang out in Los Angeles’s swanky Benedict Canyon. And just like that, something that was thought impossible happened - Superman was dead. Okay, so it wasn’t the real Superman, but the actor who played him for over a hundred episodes in the Adventures of Superman television show - George Reeves.
The police quickly ruled it a clear suicide and no thorough investigation was ever conducted into his death. But many questions still lingered. Multiple people wanted Reeves dead and there were strange elements regarding his demise. So did the actor really do himself in or did someone manage to kill Superman?
Original article by Radu Alexander
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I remember him on TV when I was a kid. My parents said he had committed suicide. When I asked about it, my dad said he jumped out a window. As a little kid, this made sense because he was always jumping out a window as superman and flying off. This was the first time I learned he was shot. Thanks for letting me know my dad was joking 60 years ago.
That was a commonly believed story. That playing Superman went to Reeves head and he jumped out a window believing he could actually fly. Stupid story on the face of it, but people believe ridiculous stuff on the regular.
@@ncbentle9154 Somebody thought he was bulletproof too, I guess.
I don’t think your dad was joking. As another person replied, when I was a little kid - a decade or more after his death - I was also told he thought he was Superman and jumped out a window. No idea how that urban legend got started but it sure had staying power. I’m sure your dad thought it was true.
My grandma went on a few dates with George before he became Superman. She said he was a nice guy.
Now that's a story.
Imagine hearing your grandma say she dated Superman
Karl, you are doing an amazing job. Keep it up!
Wow, wow, wow
His name was Christopher Reeves
I was a small child, I think around 5, when Christopher Reeves was paralyzed, I imagine my feelings were similar to kids when George Reeves died.
"...he fights a never-ending battle for truth justice and the American way." RIP Mr. Reeves.
Given how built Reeves was, the idea of bruises mean there could have been a struggle. Everyone downstairs was so wasted, they may not have heard anything.
Or Lenore shot him before Bill Bliss arrived. It would explain how George had been dead for sometime before the police were called. She sent Bliss upstairs to check. He found the dead body. Everyone there were drunk, and had no other explanation of what happened
thanks columbo
@@leespiderpod Kojak 😁😎
This was pretty cool, A series of these about all the actors that played superheroes during the time before the big blockbuster movies would be interesting to hear about. Like Adam West, Linda Carter, and Bill Bixby.
Love how you are a little more casual and add in your own side bits. I miss Simon, but will happily watch everything you put out.
It’s not the same without Simon…. Or is it just me?
No it's not just you!
If it was almost anyone other than Karl Smallwood, I'd be gone, but he's good, really good.
It's not the same, but it is what it is. Karl is great tho.
Simon has become pretty scattered and a little too sarcastic. I've all but stopped watching him. Also, he has themed channels that are not necessary as most of his content can fit within the restraint of one or two of them.
That's how time works.
Omg, has Simon been locked up in the basement now?
This wasn't Simon's page and he is no longer working on it.
Did you not see the video the chick made about what happened with Simon. But I'm glad he's gone Simon is irritating
@@chiapets2594Simon isn’t irritating, you’re just wrong.
@chiapets2594 no, what's the title? Can't find it
@@richguy32It's called "It's All My Fault (Announcement)" on TopTenz
Man i have missed biographics and im so glad its back!! I cant lie i do miss Simon but if anyone can talk up the mantel it's you Karl!! Keep up the amazing work! I look forward to what you bring to the channel.
Is there a reason why Simon left?
@ekweemacpeter5799 There's an explanation on toptenz channel
@@ekweemacpeter5799I think he’s on a break, not gone.
Another amazing biographic; can't wait for more great content!
Love seeing the cross-over of hosts. Carl always kills it
It's, Karl, he really does not like people misspelling his name, he said himself that the most basic level of respect you can give someone is to spell their name right. But, Smallwood, yeah, that's a running gag.
Simon, greatest Keeps promo EVER! Seriously, Karl thanks for stepping in and narrating this very interesting video.
Carl is really growing on me. I like his storytelling style.
I age 6 when he died, parents where fans. Often speaking of him, why I remember him. Thank you
It’s a shame you lost Simon but Karl is a good replacement and I’d keep watching if you kept him
There are some kinks to work out, and we're definitely going to try out a few different hosts to see what you all like best, but Karl's doing a great job filling in on such short notice!
Is Simon okay
@@Faymysticreationsthis!
@@Faymysticreations He's still doing his thing on other channels, it's just here and I imagine Geographics where there'll be some new hosts
Simon was spreading himself too thin. Something had to give.
Ant possibility to see a bio video about Christopher Reeves too?
The thought has crossed my mind. :)
I keep looking for the green screen and waiting to hear Lucas’ voice 🤦🏻♂️. Love ya Karl.
Great job Karl, I know you don't normally like to discuss such sad topics, but it's interesting to learn about George and who better to learn from than you
When I was a kid Superman was still playing regularly in the 60s. Rumours around then was that he was that he killed himself out of depression that he was typecast and couldn't get any other role.
Karl, this is one of the great American true crime mysteries. I suspect that he was murdered, but we are likely to never learn the truth. PS did you see the movie starring Adrian Brody and Ben Affleck?
I would think it would be more unusual for the shell casing to not be under the body.
Hey new guy, as a long time watcher of this channel, heres' my assessment of the change: yer not bad. carry on! :)
We want Simon back
The understanding is that he quit and wasn't let go so I doubt that will happen. I'm sure he will just crank out more videos for channels he owns.
@@deerseed do you by any chance know the reason why he abruptly quit?
I’m a big fan of Simon, but Karl did a great job, so I’ll stay subscribed. Great vid.
Not gonna lie, I prefer Simon.
Where is Simon?
Wahoo karl. Another great video thanks team!!!
Very much like this Simon 2.0, maybe a keeper here 🤔
A movie about this was made in 2006 called hollywoodland with Adrien Brody and Ben Affleck pretty good.
Watching this to honor simon who has obviously worked too hard and needs a break.
I don't think it's a temporary break from this for Simon I think it's permanent
@@GrievousReborn could be. I dunno. Simon sure has a ton of channels.
@@GrievousReborn but karl refers to himself as Interim host so that's weird. Looking for someone permanent maybe?
@eddiehancockii Simon is no longer working with Biographics or Geographics according to the owners of the channel due to a mild falling out. Karl is fulling in until they find Simons replacement
@@Dasaltwarrior where'd you see/hear that? It's my understanding simon owned them. If not him, who does?
Your doing a Great job as a Simon replacement 👏. Keep hosting please You are awesome 👌
I used to love that show as a kid. I never knew it was in colour we only had a black and white TV.
The FROM HERE TO ETERNITY story was disputed by the filmmakers and in viewing the movie one can see Reeves in several scenes, although he had no lines in many of them
I actually grew up right outside of Woolstock the town he was born in!
Beware the curse of superman.
Great job man!
They shot Simon
The audience calling out "Superman" during from "Here To Eternity" is a myth and never happened
Watch the video upside down.. it's almost as if Simon is still here.
The part about Reeves being cut out of From Here to Eternity is a Hollywood urban legend. It wasn't true.
Its the knowledge demon!! This is a very pleasant surprise
It hits different without Simon but thank you for the content and thoroughly enjoyed it boss
George Reeves NEVER wore spandex. His Superman costumes, one Grey and Brown, and one Blue Red, were made of Wool. They were heavy, hot, and uncomfortable. He hated them. Also Spandex is a synthetic fabric developed by the DuPont company in 1958. That’s 6 years after The Adventures Of Superman ended in 1952.
Alan Moore & Kevin O’Neill’s Cinema Purgatorio ‘The Last Adventure!’ brought me here.
I heard Karl was here and I needed to see it for myself ❤
Thank you! Please give the video a share if you can! It'll help us out a great deal! :)
I always found it weird that somebody would have taken a shower or bath and then kill themselves. Plus the gun fou found at his feet considering the angle of the gun shot. I mean they didn't have a way to check for gun shot residue back then
5:01 "But just when it looked like Reeves's career was firmly on the upswing, it took a massive nosedive thanks to--" and why was I expecting the next words to be "Today's sponsor"? :D
A missed opportunity to see Brad in a Superman suit, I suppose.
Funny, I really liked the channel and the extraordinary content, but I never felt the prior host was really into it. More of a job that I have to do today. I wish you folks all the best on your journey forward. Karl is cool. I hope he swears more. D.
The owner of the company probably won't let us do that...and I say that as someone with a mouth that'd make a sailor blush. :) We can bleep things, though!
George Reeves saw how badly he’d be portrayed in 2023’s The Flash, and just couldn’t take it…
Great host. Completely forgot you are replacing Simon!
Glad to see the new videos. Tragic subject though.
Hi Karl, do you know if he was shot in the right or left temple?
From what I have read if was in his right temple.
I've seen faces and eyes similar to his (especially in his last days) that have also committed suicide. It's sad that only few are able to discern such things.
Yet still reminds unsolved.
Like many places at that time, Hollywood had a lot of back rooms and dark alleys. And still does, I'm sure.
I feel like the audio could be improved with a better mic or perhaps the mic could be closer. It currently feels like the early videos of the channel. Simon's current audio setup is really good and I feel pretty spoiled now that I think about it. However, I do understand Karl is supposed to be temporary for now. I much prefer the previous visual aesthetics, but perhaps I just need time to get used to it. But the edits are great as always!
The wow sound effect after announcing the topic of the death of a person is in poor taste. Maybe the editing should be a little less cavalier with topics like this?
That's a good point. Though, counter point, every person we cover on this channel is dead...
@Biographics my apologies for giving asked for feedback; and suggesting a more serious or at least a slightly more respectful tone in the editing of videos regarding a person's life and death. I thought catering the editing to subject matter would be an acceptable objective. If you want to keep the irreverent and flippant tone on Biographics, instead of on one of your other channels; by all means, go ahead. But the editing changes rub me the wrong way on this channel, but fit better with the others.
Got a minute in thinking “odd setup for a fact fiend video” lol, forgot Karl mentioned writing for Simon a while back
When will there be a biography on Fyodor Dostoevsky?
Thank you.
They made a movie about this, starring Ben Affleck
Boss, you're great. It was just a surprised to me to not see the bald guy
Back on this channel after ages...where is Simon?😮
Karl jump scare! Kind of amazing to see him here, I was not expecting this
not Simon..but still good.. keep-up😊
You should do one on Sir Nicholas Winton!
Great job Karl 😎👍🏻
Just found out Simon is permanently gone. That is a shame. As good as Karl is his not Simon. To the channel owner whose inaction made Simon leave - I am sorry for the loss of your father but your channels are nothing without Simon. There are hundreds on similar channels on KZhead. What made your channels unique was Simon
I thought he owned them?
@@magnificentfailure2390 which ones does he even own?
@@fidelio9301 He is no longer doing Biographics, Georgraphics and Top Tenz
@@melindoranightsilver9298 Yeah bro, I know that already
Without Simon I’m bailing.
Keep up the work Karl. Also, anywhere we can submit our own scripts?
Should be a good listen 👍🏻
Who did the best job playing Superman?
I believe his name was Christopher Reeve. :)
@@Biographics That's who I grew up with as him.
Can we get a video with Simon talking about queen tomyris? Or is he not here anymore?
As much as I will miss Simon on this channel, Karl is doing a superb job and is just as engaging as our Fact-Boy
@SimonTekConley theres a vid on TopTenz explaining why he left
@@Scard4L1fe21 i saw after I posted
Had no idea who he was until this video, but I thought he was pretty good
What bugs me about most of these posts is the fake photos. So far, so good.
The proofer really should have caught that. I'll talk to them.
Simon is the face of the channel, but honestly, it did feel different but I really enjoyed this nonetheless. Karl’s enunciation are great
You're doing a fine job, Karl. Don't pay attention to the haters. Welcone aboard!
Its interesting that Reeves played a medieval knight: in one of the episodes of Superman tv show, Superman encounters a modern armoured knight cult.
Karl is doing a fantastic job. Thank you very much Karl.
It was definitely the mob
I’m not used to Karl talking in such a formal scripted manner
Missing Simon already.
0:36: 💔 George Reeves, the actor who played Superman, died under mysterious circumstances in 1959. 3:07: 💼 George Reeves' career in Hollywood faced challenges and setbacks, including name changes and limited roles, before World War II disrupted his progress. 6:13: 🎥 George Reeves, a struggling actor in Hollywood, faced numerous challenges in his personal and professional life before landing the role of Superman in the TV series. 8:56: 💪 George Reeves reluctantly took on the role of Superman in the TV show and became an overnight success, but still hoped for better movie roles. 11:51: 💔 George Reeves, the actor who played Superman, had a secret relationship with a married woman named Tony Mannix, who was the wife of Eddie Mannix, a powerful fixer in Hollywood. 14:16: 🔍 The death of George Reeves, who played Superman, was initially ruled as a suicide, but there are alternative theories and suspicions surrounding his death. 16:51: 💡 The death of actor George Reeves, who played Superman, remains a mystery with conflicting theories and no concrete answers. Recap by Tammy AI
Great job Karl.
Dope
I didn't even know Karl did these... what a cool dude
Why did Simon leave?
Please do a history of Madeleine Albright.
Can you do one on orson welles
It’s so much worse without Simon 😭
Do a video about J.R jayawardene. Not enough people know how important he is
Now we need one for his son!
Neat
Hmmmmm something look different. Did Simon cut is hair differently. 😮😮Wait a minute! 😅😅
No, he just switched to contacts and had few face lifts
That’s the power of that white Columbian flower. 😂
Why so long in between videos
"Jack sucks at life"
Great vid, but slow down on the talking! Too fast if you ask me that I have to put the vid on 0,75x 😅
Please, for love of God, stop thumping the mic.
It was obviously kryptonite. 😒
Karl does a very nice job. But, one of the things I liked about the Biographics channel was the focus on clear reading of the content. Simon W. has become a personality, however when he read Biographics copy, he focused on doing a good reading rather than putting in much of himself. If Karl, or future hosts stick to that paradigm, I’ll stick around.
If you like Jonathan Banks, go watch the old TV show Wiseguy with him in it, thank me later (yes it can be hard to find but is well worth your effort)
Please do athelstan soon! 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 Good to see you again karl!🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
Can you ever do a biographics about Billy Graham.