Iconic TV role: George Reeves

Actor George Reeves died in 1959, but older Americans will remember him as early TV's Superman.

Reeves served in the Army during World War II and was a Golden Gloves and Olympic boxer before turning to acting as a career.

His first acting job, however, was as a child-- a bit part in the movie "Gone With the Wind." He also had small parts in "From Here to Eternity" and "Samson and Delilah."

Large and solid, although not so much so as today's weightlifters, Reeves landed the role of Superman,the "man of steel," which he played from 1951 until 1958. His acting might have been a trifle wooden, but kids familiar with the Superman comic books loved the show, and Reeves.

Reeves was quite a man with the ladies as well, and rumors circulated that his death was somehow caused by an affair he had had with a married woman. Others say he died by his own hand. Either way, he was killed by a single pistol shot to the head at close range.

After the "Superman" show ended, Reeves had little success with getting other good roles.