Growing up as the son of Superman was probably tough for Will Reeve.
Will, the youngest of Christopher and Dana Reeve, lost his mother in 2006, just two years after his famous father passed away. He was only 13 at that time.
Now at 31, this good-looking news correspondent has a face similar to his dad’s and enjoys being compared to the actor who represented a superhero for many during the 70s and 80s.
Years ago, before special effects took over movies, fans admired the superhero in a blue suit with a red cape flying through the air.
Christopher Reeve, known for his charm and looks in the Superman films, amazed audiences but also broke hearts when he died in 2004.
In 1995, at just 42 years old, Reeve became paralyzed from the neck down after falling off his horse Buck during an equestrian event.
Three years before that accident, he and Dana welcomed their son Will. Will remembers growing up as “totally normal.” “They were always telling me to turn off my TV or eat my veggies,” he shared with People. He explained that despite his dad’s condition, he was still an amazing parent. “I know not every kid sees their dad on magazine covers while shopping but … it felt like a totally normal childhood.”
Will also recalled learning to ride a bike with his father’s guidance from his wheelchair. “I thought it wouldn’t work; I was scared! But I heard my dad saying ‘Steady now! Left! Right!’” He added how by lap three he was smiling back at him while waving; it meant so much to both of them. Later on they would race together in wheelchairs where he’d let Will win!
On October 10th of 2004 Christopher fell into a coma and passed away.
Then on March sixth of two thousand six Dana – who married Christopher in ’92 – died after fighting against lung cancer for months.
At just thirteen years old Will found himself without parents.
Over nearly twenty years since then Will has inherited not only good looks but is also carrying on what his parents started with the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation which works towards curing spinal cord injuries.
Now aged thirty-one he’s living intentionally following what he believes is honoring what his father wanted him to do; stating that by age twenty-nine he finally grasped what honoring really means!
“I used to think it meant walking paths my dad would want me too or living out dreams lost because of him,” wrote Will in tribute shared on Good Morning America for Father’s Day. “But really our parents want us discovering who we are ourselves—that’s true honor.”
Recently working as an ABC News correspondent revealed how honored he feels whenever people compare him with Christopher saying he’s “very lucky” about life right now!
“And if people notice ‘Oh look! He resembles famous Dad!’ that’s awesome,” said Reeve while talking with People magazine. “It shows they remember our family positively… I see that as praise.”
Reeve continued saying: “I had two wonderful parents inside & out—if I look like them even slightly or share values then that’s something I appreciate daily.”
It’s hard to believe it’s been almost twenty years since Christopher left us! Still fans can be grateful knowing part of him lives through handsome son Will!
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