Christopher Reeve, 52; Paralysis Didn’t Stop Star of ‘Superman’

Actor Christopher Reeve, who became famous for his role as Superman and then garnered far more acclaim for his perseverance after being paralyzed from the neck down in a 1995 horseback riding accident, died Sunday. He was 52.

Reeve fell into a coma Saturday after going into cardiac arrest at his New York home, his publicist, Wesley Combs, told Associated Press by phone from Washington, D.C., on Sunday night.

A tall, dark-haired actor perfectly suited for the role of the “Man of Steel,” Reeve took on an even larger-than-life role in reality as a quadriplegic who pledged he would one day walk again.

In recent days, his struggle became a reference point for Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John F. Kerry, who said in Friday’s debate that he believed embryonic stem cell research should be expanded, saying it would be the best way to give Reeve and others like him the chance to walk again.

“On behalf of my entire family, I want to thank Northern Westchester Hospital for the excellent care they provided to my husband,” Reeve’s wife, Dana, said in a statement.

“I also want to thank his personal staff of nurses and aides, as well as the millions of fans from around the world who have supported and loved my husband over the years.”

Reeve’s New-York-based Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation emerged under his star power and relentless fundraising as a leading source for research money, giving out more than $42.5 million to neuroscientists since its inception.

Reeve graduated from Cornell University in 1974 and went on to study at Juilliard under the legendary John Houseman.

He debuted on Broadway opposite Katharine Hepburn in “A Matter of Gravity” in 1976 and went on to a long career on the stage, screen and television that continued even after his accident.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by three children.

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A full obituary will appear in The Times on Tuesday.