Actress Margot Kidder, who famously portrayed Daily Planet reporter Lois Lane in 1978’s Superman: The Movie and its three sequels, passed away this past Sunday at her home in Montana. Although the 69-year-old actress was best known for portraying the Man of Steel’s colleague and love interest, she also was beloved for starring in perhaps the first slasher film ever, 1974’s Black Christmas, and later the horror sensation, The Amityville Horror, in 1979.
Apart from her big genre roles, the Canadian-born Kidder starred in dozens of films in the ’70s and ’80s including Sisters, and opposite A-list leading men including Robert Redford in The Great Waldo Pepper and Richard Pryor in Some Kind of Hero. Along with many other alumni from different Superman projects, Kidder also made a guest appearance on Smallville in 2004. She was also a guest star on shows like Brothers & Sisters, and The L Word in the 2000s. Kidder was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and in her later years became a public advocate for people struggling with this condition. She also became a political activist in the last several years.
But for an entire generation, Margot Kidder is the Lois Lane. She embodied the ’70s career woman who put up with no guff from anyone, yet turned lovesick whenever Christopher Reeve’s Superman appeared. And we couldn’t blame her, because who wouldn’t turn to mush at the site of Reeve as Superman? She played that mix of brilliant reporter and tough cookie with a soft spot for the ultimate hero perfectly, and it’s why Margot Kidder beat out dozens of other famous actresses who tried out for the role.
Upon news of her passing, thousands of fans, as well as friends and colleagues of Kidder, took to social media to post their remembrances of the beloved actress-turned-activist.
#MargotKidder was equally responsible for making us believe a man could fly. RIP š pic.twitter.com/RcsZSBdFQo
— Joey Esposito (@joeyesposito) May 14, 2018
We are saddened to learn that #MargotKidder, who was part of the very first class of AFI Directing Workshop for Women graduates, has passed away. Kidder reached superstardom a few years later, flying high as Lois Lane in SUPERMAN (1978). #AFIDWW pic.twitter.com/iAENiJd1tu
— AFI (@AmericanFilm) May 14, 2018
So saddened by the news that dear #MargotKidder has died peacefully in her sleep yesterday. We continued to have fun together over the last 40 years and she was a joy to be around. pic.twitter.com/16ARRj6Hy6
— Sarah Douglas (@TheSarahDouglas) May 14, 2018
#margotkidder may you rest in power. Thank you for being an advocate for #mentalhealth when no one dared talk about it.#MentalHealthAwarenessWeek #ripmargotkidder #RIPLoisLane pic.twitter.com/bXtpyT8Ttn
— Luc Berthelette (@LucBerthelette) May 14, 2018
This hurts. My friend in life and on screen, #MargotKidder, who helped rescue me from Niagara Falls in Superman II has left us. I was grateful to have stayed in touch with her in the past few years. She was very special to me. An amazing spirit who will be sorely missed. pic.twitter.com/EROjLRKJss
— Hadley Kay (@iamHadleyKay) May 14, 2018
Rest in Peace, Margot Kidder.
Everybody knew you as Lois Lane but to me you’ll always be the feisty Barb from 1974’s Black Christmas.
One of the finest horror movies ever made. ❤#MargotKidder pic.twitter.com/PGVOoSp96o
— Slasher Trash (@SlasherTrash) May 14, 2018
RIP #MargotKidder you will always be Lois Lane to me. I am incredibly lucky to have met you and tell you that in person. pic.twitter.com/XOlYs4au3J
— Billy Pollihan (@BBusterBill) May 14, 2018
“I am a journalist! Everything I write reached millions of people! I have a responsibility to those people! There’s far too much injustice all around us to be ignored any longer!†-Lois Lane
RIP to a badass, truth-telling lady. #MargotKidder pic.twitter.com/AJ2luX1AGa
— Sally Jernigan (@sarahjane0412) May 14, 2018
Do you have any fond memories of Margot Kidder as Lois Lane, or from any of her other performances? If you do, be sure to let us know down below in the comments.
Images: Warner Brothers
