Meet Keith Howard - the "unofficial" George Reeves Superman
Keith Howard in "Clark Kent" mode
Keith Howard knows what it’s like to wear the uniform of the world’s greatest superhero. A U.S. Air Force veteran and operating room resource nurse at St. Louis' Barnes Jewish Hospital, Howard dons the familiar blue tights and red cape to represent the memory of television’s most famous Superman – actor George Reeves.
“I was four or five years old the first time I saw George Reeves on our TV set in the 1960's," Howard says. “But as far back as I can remember, I was a huge fan of George Reeves as Superman on the TV show. To me, he WAS Superman.”
Reeves’ heroic portrayal of the Man of Steel captured Howard’s imagination and certainly made an indelible impression upon his life.
“George was like a second father to me and I feel that to a large degree, I would not be the man I am today had it not been for George,” Howard admits. “And to now have the honor to portray him to others is something I take very seriously. There is a great responsibility I feel in carrying on his legacy.”
Howard’s love for Superman eventually lead him to attend the annual Superman Celebration held in Metropolis, Illinois, dressed in a self-made uniform patterned after George Reeves’ costume on the classic TV show.
What started out as something he was doing just for fun soon turned into a profound experience. On the first day of wearing his George Reeves Superman costume, Howard didn’t expect the warm reception he received from the celebration’s attendees.
“So many people responded to me in such positive ways,” the Belleville, Illinois native explains. “I sort of expected the little children to treat me with a certain awe and wonder. But what I didn’t expect is the reaction from the older fans.”
Howard was quickly surrounded by numerous adult fans of the classic TV Superman. One man caught sight of the costumed Howard from half a block away and made a beeline past several other Superman impersonators to shake his hand.
Howard remembers: “He shook my hand and said, ‘You are MY Superman! You are the one I grew up with.’ It was then that I noticed the look in his eyes and that connection he had with the character I was portraying. For a few moments, he WAS that 8-year-old boy seeing his favorite superhero. I knew then that I actually had the ability to make people’s lives better as a result of wearing this outfit.”
In recent years, Howard has made public appearances as the Man of Steel in numerous places including local comic book shops, comic conventions, community events, and the children’s ward at St. Louis Children’s Hospital.
Howard continues to lift the spirits of the young and the young at heart in his portrayal of his favorite Man of Steel. Wherever his super journey takes him, Howard takes his job representing the memory of television’s famous Man of Steel very seriously.
"Every time I put that amazing costume on, and look in the mirror, for a moment I see him.” Howard says. “I remember what it was like to be a small child and watch him on TV fighting the good fight. What an awesome responsibility to represent the greatest Superman of all time! He was the best."
“I was four or five years old the first time I saw George Reeves on our TV set in the 1960's," Howard says. “But as far back as I can remember, I was a huge fan of George Reeves as Superman on the TV show. To me, he WAS Superman.”
Reeves’ heroic portrayal of the Man of Steel captured Howard’s imagination and certainly made an indelible impression upon his life.
“George was like a second father to me and I feel that to a large degree, I would not be the man I am today had it not been for George,” Howard admits. “And to now have the honor to portray him to others is something I take very seriously. There is a great responsibility I feel in carrying on his legacy.”
Howard’s love for Superman eventually lead him to attend the annual Superman Celebration held in Metropolis, Illinois, dressed in a self-made uniform patterned after George Reeves’ costume on the classic TV show.
What started out as something he was doing just for fun soon turned into a profound experience. On the first day of wearing his George Reeves Superman costume, Howard didn’t expect the warm reception he received from the celebration’s attendees.
“So many people responded to me in such positive ways,” the Belleville, Illinois native explains. “I sort of expected the little children to treat me with a certain awe and wonder. But what I didn’t expect is the reaction from the older fans.”
Howard was quickly surrounded by numerous adult fans of the classic TV Superman. One man caught sight of the costumed Howard from half a block away and made a beeline past several other Superman impersonators to shake his hand.
Howard remembers: “He shook my hand and said, ‘You are MY Superman! You are the one I grew up with.’ It was then that I noticed the look in his eyes and that connection he had with the character I was portraying. For a few moments, he WAS that 8-year-old boy seeing his favorite superhero. I knew then that I actually had the ability to make people’s lives better as a result of wearing this outfit.”
In recent years, Howard has made public appearances as the Man of Steel in numerous places including local comic book shops, comic conventions, community events, and the children’s ward at St. Louis Children’s Hospital.
Howard continues to lift the spirits of the young and the young at heart in his portrayal of his favorite Man of Steel. Wherever his super journey takes him, Howard takes his job representing the memory of television’s famous Man of Steel very seriously.
"Every time I put that amazing costume on, and look in the mirror, for a moment I see him.” Howard says. “I remember what it was like to be a small child and watch him on TV fighting the good fight. What an awesome responsibility to represent the greatest Superman of all time! He was the best."
