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

Noel Neill, Original Lois Lane on Superman, Dies

By
Rosalie Chan
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
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

© 2025 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.


Most Popular

placeholder alt text
Economy
The $38 trillion national debt is to blame for over $1 trillion in annual interest payments from here on out, CRFB says
By Nick LichtenbergDecember 17, 2025
2 days ago
placeholder alt text
C-Suite
Red Lobster CEO Damola Adamolekun says the key to being a better leader is being a better person: ‘Leadership is self-improvement’
By Sydney LakeDecember 17, 2025
2 days ago
placeholder alt text
AI
'Robots are going to be amongst us': Qualcomm exec says buckle up for the next 5 years. Your car is going to be the first shoe to drop
By Nino PaoliDecember 17, 2025
2 days ago
placeholder alt text
Success
As millions of Gen Zers face unemployment, McDonald's CEO dishes out some tough love career advice for navigating the market: ‘You've got to make things happen for yourself’
By Preston ForeDecember 16, 2025
3 days ago
placeholder alt text
Success
Britain’s defense chief calls on Gen Z grads leaving university to skip corporate jobs and join the military as war with Russia becomes a growing risk
By Emma BurleighDecember 17, 2025
2 days ago
placeholder alt text
Future of Work
LinkedIn CEO says it's 'outdated' to have a five-year career plan: It's a 'little bit foolish' considering the pace AI is changing the workplace
By Sydney LakeDecember 18, 2025
16 hours ago

Latest in Arts & Entertainment

Trump
PoliticsWhite House
The Kennedy Center is now the Trump Kennedy Center, White House says
By Nick Lichtenberg, Darlene Superville and The Associated PressDecember 18, 2025
8 hours ago
Personal FinanceLoans
When is a personal loan a good idea?
By Joseph HostetlerDecember 18, 2025
10 hours ago
Joe Anders and Kate Winslet
SuccessCareers
Her two Gen Z children have starred in her films, but Oscar award-winning actress Kate Winslet says nepo baby allegations are ‘silly’
By Emma BurleighDecember 18, 2025
14 hours ago
Bongino
PoliticsFBI
‘I think he wants to go back to his show’: Dan Bongino retreats from FBI back to conspiracy podcasting
By Eric Tucker and The Associated PressDecember 17, 2025
1 day ago
A statue of the Oscars statuette
Arts & EntertainmentYouTube
YouTube is giving the Oscars the lifeline it desperately needs
By Dave SmithDecember 17, 2025
1 day ago
James Cameron holding a microphone, gesturing
SuccessWealth
James Cameron is now a billionaire. The boomer college dropout worked odd jobs like truck driving before making his big break with films like Avatar
By Preston ForeDecember 17, 2025
2 days ago