• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
Arts & Entertainment

Noel Neill, Original Lois Lane on Superman, Dies

By
Rosalie Chan
Rosalie Chan
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Rosalie Chan
Rosalie Chan
Down Arrow Button Icon
July 5, 2016, 9:33 AM ET
Noel Neill, The Original Lois Lane, Appears At Rocket Video
LOS ANGELS, CA - JUNE 20: ***EXCLUSIVE*** Noel Neill, the original Lois Lane, appears at Rocket Video on June 20, 2006 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John M. Heller/Getty Images)Photography by John M. Heller — Getty Images

This article was originally published on Time.com

Noel Neill, the first actress to playDaily Planet reporter Lois Lane in Superman, died Sunday at 95.

Neill died at her home in Tucson, Ariz., after a long illness, The Hollywood Reporter reported.

Neill starred opposite Kirk Alyn as Superman in the Superman serial for Columbia Pictures in 1948. They reunited for another serial,Atom Man vs. Superman. Neill returned to the role as Lois Lane when she started acting in theAdventures of Superman series in 1953. Neill quit acting after the series ended in 1958.

How ‘Batman v Superman’ Rewrote the Hollywood Blockbuster Formula

Who Would Win In a Fight—Batman or Superman?

Neill was born on Nov. 20, 1920. Her father was a Minneapolis Star Tribune editor and wanted his daughter to become a reporter. Though she went into acting, she did play a reporter.

Bing Crosby spotted her and helped her get a contract with Paramount Pictures. Neill also played high schooler Betty Rogers in the 1940s “The Teenagers” musical series. Sam Katzman, who produced several of these films, thought she would be perfect to play Lois in the Superman serial, the first time Superman was portrayed on the screen.

In the past decades, she has lectured at colleges and attended comic book conventions and fan gatherings. She also briefly appeared as Lois Lane’s mother in the 1978 Superman and as Gertrude Vanderworth, who signs her money over to villain Lex Luthor in Superman Returns (2006).

 

About the Author
By Rosalie Chan
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Arts & Entertainment

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Leadership
  • Success
  • Tech
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Environment
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Health
  • Retail
  • Lifestyle
  • Politics
  • Newsletters
  • Magazine
  • Features
  • Commentary
  • Mpw
  • CEO Initiative
  • Conferences
  • Personal Finance
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Arts & Entertainment

van der beek
LawObituary
James Van Der Beek, child star and face of iconic GIF from ‘Dawson’s Creek,’ dies at 48 in ‘beyond devastating news’
By Mark Kennedy and The Associated PressFebruary 11, 2026
44 minutes ago
TrumpRx
CommentaryPharmaceutical Industry
TrumpRx is here and it helps, though a bit less than advertised
By Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Stephen Henriques, Ferron Chen, Asuka Koda and Vanessa McLennanFebruary 11, 2026
1 hour ago
SuccessCareers
At 22, Olympic skier Eileen Gu is worth over $20 million —she’s juggling brand deals and sports with school. And she urges Gen Z not to wait until they’re ‘older’ to start.
By Preston ForeFebruary 11, 2026
6 hours ago
rich
Arts & EntertainmentOlympics
‘I’m not the dad, and I’m not the coach’: Meet the 54-year-old personal injury attorney stealing America’s hearts at the Olympics
By Nick LichtenbergFebruary 11, 2026
6 hours ago
chappell
Arts & EntertainmentMusic
Chappell Roan leaves talent agency after leader Casey Wasserman’s appearance in Epstein files
By The Associated PressFebruary 11, 2026
10 hours ago
cardi b
Cryptogambling
Prop bet chaos as Kalshi calls Cardi B’s Super Bowl cameo was ambiguous and Polymarket pays out on disputed wager
By Jay Cohen and The Associated PressFebruary 11, 2026
10 hours ago

Most Popular

placeholder alt text
Economy
America borrowed $43.5 billion a week in the first four months of the fiscal year, with debt interest on track to be over $1 trillion for 2026
By Eleanor PringleFebruary 10, 2026
1 day ago
placeholder alt text
Economy
It turns out that Joe Biden really did crush Americans' dreams for the future. Just look at how the vibe changed 5 years ago
By Jake AngeloFebruary 10, 2026
1 day ago
placeholder alt text
C-Suite
Meet Jody Allen, the billionaire owner of the Seattle Seahawks, who plans to sell the team and donate the proceeds to charity
By Jake AngeloFebruary 9, 2026
2 days ago
placeholder alt text
AI
As billionaires bail, Mark Zuckerberg doubles down on California with $50 million donation
By Sydney LakeFebruary 9, 2026
2 days ago
placeholder alt text
Economy
China might be beginning to back away from U.S. debt as investors get nervous about overexposure to American assets
By Eleanor PringleFebruary 9, 2026
2 days ago
placeholder alt text
Commentary
Something big is happening in AI — and most people will be blindsided
By Matt ShumerFebruary 11, 2026
8 hours ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.