Iowa History Daily: January 5 - Superman Soars from Woolstock

Iowa History Daily: On January 5, 1914, future Superman George Reeves was born in Woolstock. Best known for his work as the Man of Steel in the 1950s era Superman television series, Reeves died from a gunshot wound at only forty-five years old.

Born to newlyweds George Keefer and Helen Lescher in the rural Wright County town of Woolstock, at a young age Reeves moved to Kentucky with his mother when his parents separated. Eventually relocating again to California, Reeves started acting and singing in high school before first performing on stage while attending Pasadena Junior College.

During the late 1930s, Reeves started acting at the Pasadena Playhouse and played one of Scarlett O’Hara’s suitors in the economic 1939 film ‘Gone With the Wind.’ A series of small parts including a brief run in five Hopalong Cassidy westerns continued his career until the US Army drafted him for service in 1943.

Reeves struggled to find steady parts immediately after the war, but in June of 1951 a new television series called ‘Adventures of Superman’ came calling. The iconic role launched Reeves to national stardom while running until 1958. The following year, Reeves died of a gunshot wound ruled a suicide by local police but often speculated about as the result of foul play. #IowaOTD #IowaHistoryDaily #IowaHistoryCalendar