Tom Welling, Brandon Routh, Tyler Hoechlin & 3 Other Superman Actors Unite For A Picture Celebrating 31 Years Of Man Of Steel Adaptations

Several iconic Superman actors have united to celebrate the hero's on-screen history through a special DC photo event. Across the world of television and film, multiple actors have played Superman in live-action and various animated properties. With the Man of Steel continuing to be one of Hollywood's most beloved superheroes, Superman's fanbase has only expanded from generation to generation, and once in every while, fans are lucky to meet multiple Supermen in person.

At the recent Fan Expo New Orleans event, a passionate Superman fan and cosplayer @Mikel_Byrnes shared a new photo with him and not one but six different actors who have played Krypton's last son in live-action and animation. Check it out below:

Byrnes was suited up as the Man of Steel next to Smallville's Tom Welling, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman's Dean Cain, Justice League/Justice League Unlimited's George Newbern, Superman: The Animated Series' Tim Daly, Superman & Lois' Tyler Hoechlin, and Superman Returns' Brandon Routh. While Routh is the only Superman actor who got his DC start through film, he reprised the role in 2019's Arrowverse crossover event, Crisis on Infinite Earths.

TV Show/Movie	Played By
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1993 - 1997)	Dean Cain
Superman: The Animated Series (1996 - 2000)	Tim Daly
Smallville (2001 - 2011) Batwoman season 1, episode 9 (2019)	Tom Welling
Justice League (2001 - 2004) Justice League Unlimited (2004 - 2006)	George Newbern
Superman Returns (2006) Batwoman season 1, episode 9 (2019) The Flash season 6, episode 9 (2019) Legends of Tomorrow season 5, episode 8 (2020)	Brandon Routh
Supergirl seasons 2-5 (2016 - 2020) Superman & Lois (2021 - 2024)	Tyler Hoechlin

What The Superman Actor Photo Means For The Man Of Steel's Legacy

Having incredible moments like these, where fans get to share a minute or two with Welling, Routh, Hoechlin, Cain, Daly, and Newsbern, serves as a reminder that Superman has a huge history and a global fanbase. As Superman's story continues to get reimagined, there will always be new fans all over the world who discover the DC legend outside the realm of comics. From the many Superman movies and TV shows that continue to be produced, there is a Man of Steel for every fan, depending on their preferences.

Even when one Superman franchise comes to a conclusion, it doesn't mean that the world stops celebrating said movie or TV show version of the Man of Tomorrow. That is why it became such a big deal when Welling and Routh got to join Hoechlin in Crisis on Infinite Earths back in 2019 as their versions of Clark Kent, as it honors what came before while also celebrating what was happening in DC's current media. This is also why it is incredibly special to be able to have a similar moment in real-life with several Superman stars at the same time.

Our Take On The Superman Actor Photo

Seeing this many Superman actors united with fans only emphasizes the importance of the character and his place in pop culture, as he continues to be one of the world's most famous superheroes. With these moments still happening just as the Man of Steel is about to be re-introduced to the big-screen with David Corenswet's Superman movie in James Gunn's DC Universe, the photo reinforces the idea that the DC icon will always remain relevant for decades to come. Hopefully, there will be a time when a DC live-action project can bring several Superman actors together for a special story.