Bob Holiday (November 12, 1932 – January 27, 2017) was an American

actor An actor (masculine/gender-neutral), or actress (feminine), is a person who portrays a character in a production. The actor performs "in the flesh" in the traditional medium of the theatre or in modern media such as film, radio, and television. ...

best known for playing

Superman Superman is a superhero created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, which first appeared in the comic book ''Action Comics'' Action Comics 1, #1, published in the United States on April 18, 1938.The copyright date of ''Action Comics ...

in the 1966 Broadway musical '' It's a Bird... It's a Plane... It's Superman''. Historically, Holiday was the next "live-action" Superman after

George Reeves George Reeves (born George Keefer Brewer; January 5, 1914 – June 16, 1959) was an American actor. He was best known for portraying Superman, Clark Kent/Superman in the television series ''Adventures of Superman (TV series), Adventures of ...

. Holiday played Superman more than any other actor, having played the role in over 140 performances, as well as several live appearances in character. From 1999 until his death in 2017, he reigned as the eldest surviving, live-action Superman.

Superman

Holiday had the title role in the 1966 musical. According to author Bruce Scivelli, "Holiday remained in his Superman costume after the matinees and invited the kids backstage for autographs. Towering over his young fans, the 6-foot-4-inch actor signed their programs and admonished them to drink their milk and be good." Despite excellent reviews and Tony nominations for co-stars Jack Cassidy, Michael O'Sullivan and Patricia Marand, the show closed after 129 performances. In 1967 he reprised the role of Superman in two separate revivals. These revivals took place in open-air theatres, requiring Superman to fly with the help of a large crane. During the heyday of ''"It's a Bird It's a Plane It's Superman!"'' he appeared as Superman in an ad for UniRoyal carpet and made personal appearances on " I've Got a Secret," "

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson ''The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson'' is an American television talk show broadcast by NBC. The show was the third installment of ''The Tonight Show''. Hosted by Johnny Carson, it aired from October 1, 1962 to May 22, 1992, replacing ''T ...

", and at the Sixth International Fashion Show held at Macy's in New York City. In 1971, Bob donned the cape yet again, appearing as Superman in an Aqua Velva TV commercial. On March 23, 2013, Holiday attended the

New York City Center New York City Center (previously known as the Mecca Temple, City Center of Music and Drama, and the New York City Center 55th Street Theater) is a performing arts center at 131 West 55th Street (Manhattan), 55th Street between Sixth Avenue, Six ...

Encores! Encores! is a Tony Honors for Excellence in Theatre, Tony-honored concert series dedicated to reviving United States, American Musical theatre, musicals, usually with their original orchestrations. Presented by New York City Center since 1994, E ...

staged concert of the show and met with the cast. Holiday always enjoyed hearing from fans of the show. In 2003, he celebrated his time as Superman at the annual Metropolis Superman Celebration in Illinois. A documentary was made of this visit, entitled "Holiday in Metropolis." A panel discussion as well as still photos from the visit are available on Holiday's official website. Holiday died at his home in Hawley, Pennsylvania on January 27, 2017, aged 84.

Other activities

Holiday appeared previously on Broadway in '' Fiorello!'' opposite

Tom Bosley Thomas Edward Bosley (October 1, 1927 – October 19, 2010) was an American actor, television personality and entertainer. Bosley is best known for portraying Howard Cunningham (Happy Days character), Howard Cunningham on the American Broadcasti ...

. He also starred as Sir Lancelot in the 1964 touring company of ''

Camelot Camelot is a legendary castle and Royal court, court associated with King Arthur. Absent in the early Arthurian material, Camelot first appeared in 12th-century French romances and, since the Lancelot-Grail cycle, eventually came to be described ...

'' opposite

Howard Keel Harold Clifford Keel (April 13, 1919November 7, 2004), professionally Howard Keel, was an American actor and singer known for his rich bass-baritone singing voice. He starred in a number of MGM musicals in the 1950s, including ''Show Boat'' (195 ...

. After '' It's a Bird...It's a Plane...It's Superman'' ended, Bob moved to Los Angeles and co-starred with Anthony Roberts in '' Promises, Promises''. ''

The Brady Bunch ''The Brady Bunch'' is an American sitcom created by Sherwood Schwartz that aired five seasons from September 26, 1969, to March 8, 1974, on ABC. The series revolves around a large blended family of six children, with three boys and three gir ...

'' producer Sherwood Schwartz cast Holiday as Mike Brady, but studio executives overrode that decision. After leaving show business, Holiday opened Bob Holiday Custom Homes, LLC. He spent 30 years as a successful home builder in the

Pocono Mountains The Pocono Mountains, commonly referred to as the Poconos (), are a geographical, geological, and cultural region in Northeastern Pennsylvania. They overlook the Delaware River and Delaware Water Gap to the east, Lake Wallenpaupack to the nort ...

, and retired in 2009. His assistant for the last ten years of his life was a dedicated fan, Toni Collins.

References

External links

*
Bob Holiday on ibdb.comBob Holiday on SupermanBobHoliday.com
{{DEFAULTSORT:Holiday, Bob 1932 births 2017 deaths American male musical theatre actors Male actors from Brooklyn Superman DC Comics people