Model and actor Brandon Routh was born on October 9, 1979 in Des Moines, Iowa. He is the third of four siblings born to a teacher and a carpenter, both of whom play music in their spare time. Consequently Routh and his siblings were exposed to music from an early age, and he actually eschewed full time acting as a child to practice his musical skills.

Routh attended high school in Norwalk and played sports while participating in theater and musical productions. He has since noted that he was quite fond of comic books during his formative years, particularly anything involving Superman. He was, in his own words, not the most popular kid in school.

After graduating from high school Routh moved on to the University of Iowa where he tried to become a writer. He earned his tuition by acting and modeling, and was often told that he physically resembled Christopher Reeve, the actor made famous largely for his part in the Superman movies. His previous manager apparently signed Routh on because he looked so similar to Reeve, stating that Routh would probably be cast were a new Superman movie ever to be made.

By 1999 Routh left the University, moving to New York and then on to Los Angeles, pursuing full-timeacting gigs. He first appeared in the Christina Aguilera music video “What a Girls Wants” and then, soon after, appeared in the short lived television series Odd Man Out. In 2000 he landed a recurring role in the MTV soap opera Undressed, and shortly after appeared in an episode of Gilmore Girls. Soon enough he was cast with steady work on the soap opera One Life to Life, where he appeared regularly for almost a year. While acting he worked part time as a bartender to make ends meet and shared his apartment and costs with his sister.

Routh’s big break came in 2004, however, when he was spotted and singled out by soon-to-be Superman director Bryan Singer. Warner Bros. had previously wanted to fill the spot of Superman with a slew of big-name actors the likes of Brendan Fraser, Josh Hartnett and Nicolas Cage (who had at one point agreed to take the part), though once Singer took control of the project he insisted on having an unknown take the part. He was impressed by Routh’s resemblance to Reeve and his small-town sentiments that so closely mirrored those of the fictional Superman. Soon after he was cast as Superman Routh began bulking up to better fit the part and, in 2006, made his debut in Superman Returns, becoming a star overnight. His part in the movie has been largely lauded by critics. He has also signed on to appear in two sequels.

Shortly before the premiere of the movie Routh became engaged to his girlfriend, Courtney Ford – an actress – and they were married in 2007, with guests at the wedding including cast mates from Superman Returns.

Routh has since continued to appear on television and in movies, with his latest movies being The Informers, Zack and Miri Make a Porno and Table for Three.