What happened to Christopher Reeve? A look at his life-changing accident in 1995

The life and legacy of Christopher Reeve, best known for his iconic portrayal of Superman in the 1970s and 1980s, lives on in the upcoming documentary Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story.

Premiering in select theaters on September 21, the film offers an intimate look at how Reeve turned his personal tragedy into a powerful advocacy for spinal cord injury research.

From his beginnings as a promising actor at Juilliard to his groundbreaking work as a director and activist, Reeve's life was marked by resilience and profound impact. His near-fatal horseback riding accident in 1995 left him paralyzed from the neck down. He then became a prominent advocate for spinal cord injury research and disability rights, using his platform to raise awareness and funds. Under his leadership, the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation became a leading force in spinal cord injury research.

Tragically, Reeve died of heart failure in October 2004 at the age of 52. Despite the challenges he faced and his early death, Reeve's work and dedication continue to influence and inspire many people.

The upcoming documentary, directed by Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui, explores the late actor's journey to resilience and includes personal reflections from Reeves' children as well as new insights into his lasting influence.

“It all came together very naturally,” Reeves' eldest child Matthew said during a Q&A following a screening of the documentary at Sundance in Park City, Utah, in January 2024. He also pointed out that this year marks the 20th anniversary of his father's death, making it a poignant time for the film's release.

So what happened to Christopher Reeve? Here's everything you need to know about the late actor and his lasting legacy.

Who was Christopher Reeve?

Reeve was a celebrated American actor, best known for his iconic portrayal of Superman in the 1978 film and its sequels. Reeve was born in Manhattan and grew up in Princeton, New Jersey. He graduated from Cornell University in 1974. Shortly thereafter, he devoted himself to his passion for acting at the Juilliard School, where he studied acting and became friends with future star Robin Williams – with whom he would have a lifelong friendship.

Although Reeves' career was cut short by his early death, he was nevertheless productive and characterized by leading roles both on screen in television and cinema, as well as on stage in various theatre productions on Broadway, Off-Broadway and in London's West End.

Speaking to PEOPLE in February 2024, Crystal Field, co-founder and artistic director of Theater for the New City (the off-Broadway theater where Reeve played one of his first roles), said the actor had innate talent and a particularly memorable presence.

“He may have had a monologue, but I don't remember the monologue,” Field said. “I remember him.”

Reeve met his wife Dana in 1987 in Williamstown, Massachusetts, where the actor saw her at a cabaret performance at the Williamstown Theater Festival, according to The New York Times. They married on April 11, 1992, in an outdoor ceremony on a farm in South Williamstown. Together they had one son, Will, who was born on June 7, 1992.

Before Will, the actor also had two children with his former partner Gae Exton – Matthew and Alexandra.

What caused Christopher Reeve’s accident?

On May 27, 1995, Reeve suffered a life-changing accident during an equestrian competition in Culpeper, Virginia. Reeve was thrown from his horse and landed on his head, resulting in a severe spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed from the neck down.

Reeve was competing in a competition when his horse suddenly stopped and fell. Despite wearing a helmet and protective vest, Reeve was found unconscious and not breathing, but was resuscitated with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation, according to the WashingtonPost.

Dr. John A. Jane, the neurosurgeon who treated Reeve, said the actor suffered fractures of the two upper cervical vertebrae, the most serious type of spinal injury, as well as significant damage to his spinal cord. WashingtonPost.

Because of the injury, he had to rely on a ventilator to breathe, which drastically changed his life.

How old was Christopher Reeve when he became paralyzed?

Reeve was 42 years old at the time of his accident. The traumatic event marked a profound turning point in his life. He shifted his focus from acting to working as an advocate for research and treatment of spinal cord injuries.

Shortly after his injury, Dana and Reeve reached out to the American Paralysis Association, a major figure in spinal cord research, and began raising funds for the organization. In 1999, the nonprofit was renamed the Christopher Reeve Foundation to honor their immeasurable efforts, according to the organization's website.

“He refused to believe that it was impossible for people with spinal injuries to recover, and nobody was spending a lot of money on spinal injuries,” Jane Seymour, a close friend and co-star of Reeve's, told PEOPLE in March 2024. “They just gave up on them, and he just said, 'No, no. Do something about it.'”

“He was just an incredible guy,” Seymour added. “He was really smart, he was fearless.”

When did Christopher Reeve die?

Reeve died on October 10, 2004, at the age of 52. His death was due to complications from an infection caused by a bed sore that led to heart failure, ABC News reported. Reeve's death was a great loss, not only to his family and friends, but also to the wider public who admired his courage and dedication.

On October 29, 2004, a memorial service was held at Juilliard, attended by over 900 people. Speakers included Dana, Matthew, Alexandra and Will, who showed a 20-minute film about their experiences with their father, and his brother Benjamin, who recounted memories from their childhood.

Speakers also included well-known Hollywood stars, including Reeve's longtime friend and former roommate Williams, as well as Glenn Close and Meryl Streep. Also speaking were former Iowa Senator Tom Harkin, who worked with Reeve to increase funding for spinal cord injury research, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

What happened to Christopher Reeve's wife and children?

Reeve's wife, Dana, was a loyal supporter and caregiver during his injury. After his death, Dana continued to support research and treatment of spinal cord injuries by becoming involved with the Christopher Reeve Foundation. Tragically, Dana was diagnosed with lung cancer in August 2005, despite being a non-smoker, and died in March 2006 at the age of 44, CBS News reported at the time. After their deaths, the foundation was renamed the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation to honor the contributions of both of them.

Reeve and Dana's children have continued their legacy in various ways. Their son Will, who was a toddler at the time of the accident, is now a journalist and activist. After an internship at Good morning America and after graduating from Middlebury College, Will got a spot on ESPN’s SportsCenter and has been a correspondent for ABC News since 2018. He also serves on the board of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, continuing his parents' work in advocacy and research.

Reeves' older children from a previous relationship, Matthew and Alexandra, have also made notable contributions in their respective fields.

Reeves' first son Matthew, born on December 20, 1979 in London, aspired to a career in the film industry. After graduating from Brown University in 2002, he told Christopher Reeve: Hope in Motionwho was nominated for an Emmy in 2003. He has written for providence, The country that never existed And Agent HamiltonMatthew is also a board member of the foundation and is actively involved in fundraising events, including running in the 2009 New York City Marathon.

Alexandra, born on November 25, 1983 in London, pursued a career in law and politics. After graduating from Yale University and receiving her law degree from Columbia University, she worked as chief counsel for technology and consumer protection in the U.S. Senate and is currently President and CEO of the Center for Democracy & Technology.

What has Christopher Reeve's family said about his legacy?

Reeves' family has often spoken about his strength and impact.

Dana described him as a source of enormous inspiration and strength; she felt his presence even after his death.

“He had such a strong presence in life and it still is,” Dana told Larry King in February 2005.

She added that Reeve always wanted his memorial service to be “a party,” and although she didn't feel like throwing a party, she ended up “apologizing to his spirit.”

“We celebrated his life. He had a lot to celebrate,” she said. “He accomplished so much in the 52 years of his life, especially in the last nine and a half years. The work the foundation has done and his personal work in Washington and for the disabled in this country is tremendous.”

His children have continued to honor his memory in a variety of ways. In June 2015, Alexandra named her first child with husband Garren Givens after her father, a source told PEOPLE at the time. In January 2024, Alexandra Deadline how much she admires the resilience of her late father, with which he returned to acting and directing after his accident despite his disability.

“That legacy of taking care of his career and continuing to push forward even after overwhelming obstacles is an important part of it,” she said. “But the other part is his life as an advocate. Before his injury, he was an activist again. And after his injury, of course, he became known worldwide for his commitment to medical research and disability rights.”

The family's reverence for Reeve is evident in their ongoing work with the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, which continues to support research and education about spinal cord injuries and paralysis. The children often speak of how proud they are of their father's work and how he had a lasting impact on them years after his death.

“For many reasons, I wish he were here today to see how far research has come,” Will said during a segment on Good morning America in May 2023. “If I can be a proud son for a moment, one can draw a direct line from his commitment to developments like today.”