George Reeves (1914-59), born George Keefer Brewer on Jan. 5, 1914, was an American actor best known for his role as Superman in the 1950's TV show Adventures of Superman. His death on June 16, 1959, at age 45, from a gunshot remains a subject of debate, the official finding was suicide, but some believe he was murdered or the victim of an accidental shooting.