There are many stories of kids who have grown up to look just like their celebrity parents. From Michael J Fox’s twin daughters to Julia Roberts’ lookalike teen daughter and even Elvis Presley’s grandson, there is a lot of celebrity offspring that can make us do a double-take when we look at them.
However, in the case of Christopher Reeve’s 29-year-old son Will, he not only bears a striking resemblance to his father, but he is also working hard to continue his father’s inspirational legacy.
Tragically, Christopher Reeve’s youngest son was forced to deal with the death of his parents when he was just 13. Despite this, he has dedicated himself to following in his father’s footsteps, not just in terms of physical appearance, but also in his father’s philanthropic and activism work.
For millions of people growing up in the late 70s and early 80s, a hero looked like Christopher Reeve. His portrayal of DC comic book hero Superman earned him a BAFTA award for Most Promising Male Newcomer.
The charismatic and handsome actor went on to star in three more superhero movies: Superman II, Superman III, and Superman IV: The Quest for Peace. But Christopher Reeve was more than just an actor. He was a film director, producer, screenwriter, equestrian, and activist. Through his son Will, his legacy lives on, inspiring the next generation to strive for greatness.
Christopher Reeve accident
On May 27, 1995, Christopher Reeve’s life would change forever. During an equestrian competition in Culpeper, Virginia, the beloved actor fell off his horse Buck and injured his spinal cord. Millions of fans and his family were left in shock after the Hollywood actor became paralyzed from the neck down and confined to a wheelchair.
According to the actor’s foundation, Christopher’s mother begged the doctors to withdraw his mechanical ventilation and let him die. New York Times would later reveal that if the actor would have fallen one centimeter further to the left, he would have been killed instantly. On the other hand, if Christopher had landed slightly to the right, he would probably just suffer a concussion.
Christopher was only 42 years old when he became a quadriplegic. He was in a wheelchair and required a portable ventilator for the rest of his life. Doctors quickly declared that there wasn’t much hope of improvement and they specifically told Reeve that it was going to be “impossible” for him to recover any movement.
Christopher Reeve was going through hell, and during the first days at the hospital, he was heavily medicated and delirious. After hearing the doctor’s devastating diagnosis, he felt that his life was ruined.
He didn’t want to give up on life, but he didn’t want to be a burden to his family either. He told his wife, Dana Morosini, that they maybe should pull the plug. She replied with tears in her eyes: ”I will support whatever you want to do, because this is your life and your decision.
But I want you to know that I’ll be with you for the long haul, no matter what. You’re still you. And I love you.” Reeve could have given up, but instead, he focused on activism and setting up the Christopher Reeve Foundation with his devoted wife Dana. It was later renamed the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation.
The couple also co-founded the Reeve-Irvine Research Center, lobbying on behalf of spinal cord injury victims and for stem cell research. Christopher Reeve’s accident could have been the end of his story, but instead, it became the beginning of a new chapter.
He devoted his life to helping others and raising awareness about spinal cord injuries. Through his activism and foundation, he gave hope to millions of people who were facing similar challenges. His legacy lives on through the work of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, and his story continues to inspire people around the world.
Despite the immense physical and emotional challenges that Christopher Reeve faced after his spinal cord injury, he was determined to provide his son, Will, with a happy childhood. In an interview with PEOPLE in 2016, Will reflected on his childhood, describing it as “totally normal.” He fondly remembered his father’s role as a loving and involved parent, who taught him how to ride a bike from his wheelchair, and even raced him in his wheelchair, letting him win.
However, despite the positive memories, Will’s childhood was not without heartache. Christopher Reeve passed away when Will was still piecing his life back together, leaving him to grieve the loss of his father and continue his legacy. Despite this, the memories of his father’s love and guidance have stayed with Will and helped shape him into the person he is today.
Christopher Reeve death
On May 27, 1995, Christopher Reeve’s life would change forever. During an equestrian competition in Culpeper, Virginia, the beloved actor fell off his horse Buck and injured his spinal cord. This tragic accident left millions of fans and his family in shock after the Hollywood actor became paralyzed from the neck down and confined to a wheelchair.
Unfortunately, Christopher Reeve struggled with several health problems from a young age. He had asthma and allergies that affected his breathing, and at the age of 16, he was diagnosed with alopecia areata, which caused his hair to fall out. Despite controlling the disease during his acting career, Reeve chose to shave off all his hair when he became paralyzed.
In the early 2000s, Christopher Reeve was treated for several infections. In October 2004, he was being treated for an infected pressure ulcer that was causing sepsis. On October 9, he was watching his son Will’s hockey game, but that same night, Christopher suffered a heart attack after being treated with antibiotics due to his infection. He fell into a coma, and despite the doctors’ efforts, he passed away on October 10, 2004, at the age of 52. His body was cremated at Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale, New York and his ashes were scattered.
Wife’s death
Just 10 months after his death, Christopher Reeve’s wife and caregiver, Dana Reeve, was also diagnosed with lung cancer despite never smoking. According to Christopher P. Andersen, Dana used to perform and sing in smoky bars and hotel lobbies during the early days of her career.
Despite this setback, the couple had a strong bond and on April 11, 1992, they got married in Williamstown, Massachusetts. However, her battle with her malignant lung tumor was short-lived, and she passed away on March 6, 2006, at the age of 44.
Will Reeve
Christopher Reeve’s son, William Elliot “Will” Reeve, was born on June 7, 1992. Sadly, Will was just 13 years old when he was left an orphan. Over a decade later, Will is now 29 years old, and has clearly inherited his father’s good looks; the resemblance is uncanny.
But that isn’t the most remarkable thing about this young man but the fact that he is continuing the good work his parents started. Will could have gone downhill or off the rails after suffering such trauma at such a young age but thanks to his parents’ strong guidance and his own strength of character he did not allow himself to descend into darkness.
Will has finished his education and has a blossoming career in the sports news industry. He and his dad shared a love of sports, and today Will is a contributor to ESPN’s SportsCenter, a job he promised his parents he would achieve. He got the job after interning at ‘Good Morning America’ and working there as a production assistant while attending Middlebury College.
Will continues the work his parents started, looking to find new therapies and helping to lead the fundraising for more breakthroughs in technology for spinal injury patients through the foundation.
In an interview with CBS News in 2018, Will talked about a letter he had written to himself after his parents died, “I’ve got good news and bad news. I’ll start with the bad, because you always need to know exactly what’s going on, no matter what…” He continues to channel his parents’ legacy and inspire others to do the same.
In conclusion
Christopher Reeve’s son, Will Reeve, has grown up to be a remarkable young man, despite being left an orphan at a young age. He inherited his father’s good looks and love for sports and has now made a name for himself in the sports news industry as a contributor to ESPN’s SportsCenter.
Will continues the work his parents started, looking to find new therapies and helping to lead the fundraising for more breakthroughs in technology for spinal injury patients through the foundation.
It is truly inspiring to see how Will has persevered and overcome the overwhelming obstacles that life has thrown his way. His story serves as a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope for a better tomorrow. For more such updates and stories, follow DailyWize on social media.
