Iowa History Daily: On October 9, 1979, actor Brandon Routh was born in Des Moines, Iowa. Raised in Norwalk, Routh went on to a successful acting career including an iconic appearance as Superman in the 2006 film “Superman Returns.”
Not the first Iowan to play Superman for a national audience (that distinction goes to Woolstock’s George Reeves, the first actor to play Superman on television), Routh attended Norwalk High School. A schoolmate of another famous Iowa actor, Jason Momoa, Routh participated in sports, music, and theater while at NHS. After high school, he briefly attended University of Iowa to study writing.
Signed initially because his manager thought he bore a physical resemblance to Christopher Reeve on a hunch Routh might make a great Superman if the franchise ever returned, the young Iowan decided to pursue acting full-time. He appeared in Christina Aguilera’s 1999 music video “What a Girl Wants.” With roles on ABC’s “Odd Man Out,” MTV’s “Undressed” and the WB’s “Gilmore Girls,” Routh’s career slowly built toward success.
In October 2004, Warner Brothers announced Routh would star as Superman. Before filming began, Routh bulked up for the role, gaining 22 pounds to reach a high of 218 pounds. With the film’s release, Routh rose to international fame. Following the film, Routh continues to appear in a variety of television shows and movies. #IowaOTD #IowaHistoryDaily #IowaHistoryCalendar
