Bob Holiday, Broadway's Superman, Dies at 84

Bob Holiday, best known for portraying Clark Kent/Superman in the 1966 Broadway musical It's a Bird...It's a Plane...It's Superman!, has passed away at 84 years old.

Mr. Holiday's other Broadway credits include the role of Neil in the Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning 1959 musical, Fiorello! Holiday was also seen in national tours of Camelot and Lady in the Dark.

Beating 51 other actors to the role, Holiday was the first actor to bring the Man of Steel to the stage. Though the show received only a short run on Broadway, Holiday's portrayal of the titular superhero was lauded by critics.

Mr. Holiday also took over the role in the first live-action Superman on TV's The Adventures of Superman, following the passing of his predecessor, George Reeves.

His website notes that of his Broadway performance Whitney Bolton of The New York Morning Telegram wrote, "[T]he embodiment of Superman makes the show come alive and sparkle. His portrait of a ponderous human miracle, in love with good deeds and unabashed virtue, is delightful."

Photo courtesy of BobHoliday.com