R.I.P. Margot Kidder

"Superman" Actress Dies at 69

Margot Kidder, who the world best remembers as Metropolis journalist Lois Lane in the 1978 blockbuster Superman: The Movie, passed away in her sleep at her home in Montana on Sunday. She was 69. 

Margot Kidder as Helen in Harry O TV series
Margot Kidder in 1973 on the set of the television series Harry O.

Alongside her co-star Christopher Reeve who played the titular superhero, Kidder appeared in three sequels: Superman II, Superman III and Superman IV: The Quest for Peace. The New York Times credited her performance as "charming" while Variety described Kidder's Lois as, "play[ing] perfectly off both of his [Clark Kent/Superman] personalities."

Medium profile shot of Margot Kidder as Lois Lane with arms around neck of Christopher Reeve as Superman.

Kidder endured a highly publicized bipolar episode in 1996; the actress was found wandering Los Angeles, terrified and deluded that her ex-husband was the head of the CIA and out to kill her. She credited a homeless man named Charlie for showing her compassion by feeding her and giving her shelter. Addressing a health and safety conference ten years after the incident, Kidder reflected on those days saying, "We are all—each and every one of you in this place—a breath away from mental illness, homelessness, all of these things we tend to so look down on...We are all one human family and we really have to take care of each other."

Though best-known for her work in the 1970's and '80's Superman films, Kidder had a long and varied career as an actress. She appeared in many television series and films from the 1960's to the present. Below we take a short look back at some of Kidder's acting career.

Kidder in Superman: The Movie.
Kidder in Superman: The Movie.
 
BTS shot of Noel Neill as Young Lois Lane's mother as Margot Kidder as Lois Lane.
Noel Neill, who played TV's original Lois Lane, returned to play Lois' mother in the 1978 Superman film. Here, Neill and Kidder pose for a behind-the-scenes photo.
Full profile shot of Christopher Reeve as Superman flying with Margot Kidder as Lois Lane.
Flying with the Man of Steel in Superman II.
Medium shot of Christopher Reeve as Superman and Margot Kidder as Lois Lane inside Fortress of Solitude.
Lois visits Superman's Fortress of Solitude in Superman II.
Margot Kidder in Honky Tonk
Kidder in the television movie Honky Tonk with Richard Crenna.
Margot Kidder in Nichols
As Ruth the Barmaid in the television series Nichols.
Full shot of Margot Kidder as Bridgette Crosby, standing in barn, holding box.
In 2004, Kidder made guest appearances as Bridgette Crosby on the Superman origin television series Smallville.

Kidder is survived by her daughter, Maggie McGuane and two grandchildren. R.I.P. Margot Kidder.