Why Christopher Reeve's Kids Celebrate His Legacy in a Candid Documentary

When Christopher Reeve’s children—Matthew, Alexandra, and Will—were young, their father was a larger-than-life figure. Best known for his role in the 1978 ‘Superman’ film, Reeve seemed capable of anything: he could fly planes, sail yachts, ski, ice skate, and play the piano. An intelligent man who studied at Cornell and Juilliard, he appeared like a real-life superhero. However, his children were most impacted by how he handled life after his 1995 accident, which left him paralyzed from the neck down.

Will Reeve, now 32, reflects on his father’s legacy, emphasizing that heroism isn’t about physical strength or a perfect image. Instead, it’s about integrity, resilience, and maintaining joy despite hardships. Reeve’s children are excited to share a deeper look into their father's life through the new documentary ‘Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story’, which shows his life both before and after the accident. 

Image Courtesy: People

The film does not shy away from Reeve’s struggles, including a challenging relationship with his strict father, the pressures of being typecast as Superman, and the heartbreak he caused when he left the mother of his two oldest children, Gae Exton.

The documentary also highlights how Reeve’s life changed after his injury, showing his determination to breathe on his own and the toll the injury took on him and his caregivers, particularly his wife, Dana. His children agree that Dana was the glue that held the family together. 

Image Courtesy: Yahoo 

The film’s directors, Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui, also note how the accident shifted Reeve’s focus, with family becoming his top priority. His daughter Alexandra adds that they spent more time having meaningful conversations, which she treasures. Reeve’s children feel their parents' legacy continues to influence them as they raise their own families.

–Farheen Ali