All 14 Actors Who Played Lex Luthor in Live-Action

For more than eight decades, one character embodies the epitome of human desire, wisdom, and wickedness amidst divine-like authority: Lex Luthor. As Superman’s arch-enemy, Luthor mirrors humanity’s intricate connection with power, portraying a sharp, arrogant, and captivating character who sincerely feels the world would flourish without its extraterrestrial hero. His fundamental conviction that Superman poses a risk to human potential has solidified him as one of the most thought-provoking and long-lasting adversaries in popular culture, an individual whose immense wealth and genius-level intelligence make him a plausible danger against an otherwise invincible being.

The intricate mental makeup of Lex Luthor has led to diverse representations in movies and series. Actors have focused on varying aspects of his character, from a witty, manipulative property tycoon to a ruthless, strategic business magnate. Some depictions delve into his troubled past and the shifting bond between him and a young Superman, Clark Kent, while others portray him as a quirky, unstable tech entrepreneur for today’s era. Each portrayal contributes to the character’s rich history, examining the delicate balance between hero and villain. Here is a list of actors who have breathed life into Lex Luthor in live-action productions.

1) Lyle Talbot | Atom Man vs. Superman

For the very first time on live television, Lyle Talbot played Lex Luthor in the 1950 serial “Atom Man vs. Superman.” Prior to this role, Talbot was Commissioner Gordon in the “Batman and Robin” serial. He transformed into Superman’s main adversary, depicting Luthor as a more conventional mad scientist. In this early version of the story, Luthor disguised himself as “Atom Man” to threaten Metropolis with his dangerous inventions, such as a teleportation device. This portrayal laid the groundwork for Luthor’s characterization as a villainous genius determined to defeat Superman. Subsequent adaptations would develop from this initial depiction in some way.

2) Gene Hackman | Superman, Superman II, & Superman IV: The Quest for Peace

In essence, Gene Hackman’s portrayal of Lex Luthor in three films during Christopher Reeve’s Superman era became the iconic representation of the character. Debuting in 1978’s Superman, Hackman brought to life a clever and comically menacing criminal mastermind. Accompanied by his clumsy sidekicks, this version of Luthor was charismatic, quick-witted, and self-centered, serving as an amusing yet ruthless contrast to Superman. His performance accentuated the more whimsical aspects of the character, making for a captivating and highly enjoyable villain capable of great malevolence.

3 & 4) Scott James Wells & Sherman Howard | Superboy

In the 1980s TV show “Superboy,” which aired during the late ’80s, two actors played the young Lex Luthor character. The first season starred Scott James Wells as a cunning and ambitious college student, who was always trying to outdo Superboy, portrayed by John Haymes Newton and later Gerard Christopher. In the second season, Sherman Howard took over the role, depicting a more dramatic and deceitful Luthor. This interpretation of Luthor introduced significant aspects of his background, such as his tragic origin where a lab fire caused by Superboy led to his baldness. Swearing revenge, this version of Luthor eventually murders a businessman named Warren Eckworth to steal his “Superboy Gun” project, with the intent of using it against Superboy.

5) John Shea | Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman

In the 1990s series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, John Shea breathed a new air of refinement and allure into the character of Lex Luthor. His performance portrayed him as both a powerful, respected billionaire philanthropist and a cunning criminal mastermind, with his assistant Nigel St. John (played by Tony Jay) serving as his right-hand man. This version of Luthor was depicted as a significant love interest for Lois Lane (Teri Hatcher), often vying for her affections against Clark Kent (Dean Cain). At the end of the first season, Lex seemingly took his own life, but his death was only temporary, and he resurfaced in subsequent seasons, now stripped of his wealth and working under the criminal organization Intergang. The show additionally introduced two of Luthor’s illegitimate sons, Jaxon Xavier (Andy Berman) and Lex Luthor Jr. (Keith Brunsmann).

6) Michael Rosenbaum | Smallville

Michael Rosenbaum’s portrayal of Lex Luthor in Smallville for ten years is often praised as one of the most intricate and sorrowful depictions of the character. In the series, Lex was first introduced as a young man who was rescued from a car accident by Clark Kent (Tom Welling), leading to a sincere friendship between them. Over seven seasons, Rosenbaum skillfully showcased Lex’s gradual fall into darkness, fueled by his father’s cruelty and an unyielding fascination with Clark’s secrets. This portrayal delved into the concept that Lex yearned to be good but was eventually overwhelmed by his own internal struggles, ultimately turning from Clark’s closest ally into his most formidable adversary.

7) Kevin Spacey | Superman Returns

In the 2006 movie “Superman Returns”, Kevin Spacey took on the character of Lex Luthor in a film that paid tribute to the earlier films featuring Christopher Reeve. Spacey’s portrayal of Luthor was intended to be more brooding and bitter compared to Gene Hackman’s version, but it still maintained an interest in real estate and a touch of humor. His performance combined the character’s more comedic aspects with a chilling sociopathic undertone, creating a Luthor who was intensely resentful towards Superman’s return after a five-year absence. This version of Luthor was portrayed as cold, menacing, and obsessed with proving his superiority over Superman.

8) Jesse Eisenberg | DC Extended Universe

Jesse Eisenberg offered a strikingly new and contemporary rendition of Lex Luthor within the DC Extended Universe, making his debut in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Modeled after tech magnates, Eisenberg’s Luthor was depicted as a young, quirky, and socially awkward genius who exhibited visible signs of nervousness. This incarnation was fueled by a profound existential dread over Superman’s uncontrolled power, seeing it as a potential danger to mankind. His grand scheme involved manipulating Batman (Ben Affleck) and Superman (Henry Cavill) into engaging in a deadly battle. Eisenberg’s unusual and at times erratic portrayal represented a stark contrast to earlier versions and sparked debate among fans regarding its validity.

9 & 10) Jon Cryer & Aidan Fink | Arrowverse

As a die-hard fan of the Arrowverse, I’ve been thrilled to see Lex Luthor make his entrance in the series Supergirl. Jon Cryer brilliantly brought this iconic character to life as an adult, while Aidan Fink delivered a compelling portrayal as the younger Lex. Cryer’s version of Lex was cunning and Machiavellian, a mastermind who used his sharp intellect and vast resources to pose a constant threat to Supergirl (Melissa Benoist) and her allies. His chilling intelligence and theatrical flair perfectly encapsulated the essence of the classic comic book character. Throughout the later seasons of Supergirl, Lex remained a formidable adversary, and his role was pivotal in the epic crossover event, “Crisis on Infinite Earths.

11 & 12) Titus Welliver & Payne Novak | Titans

In the fourth season of Titans, Titus Welliver played an older, bearded Lex Luthor in his late 60s, contrasting with Payne Novak’s portrayal of a younger version. Welliver’s interpretation was more introspective and world-weary, and it centered on his relationship with Superboy (Joshua Orpin), who is a clone born from the DNA of both Luthor and Superman. Welliver’s Luthor exhibited a nuanced and thoughtful evil, motivated by an intense fascination with human nature. Despite having a limited screen time, his performance was acclaimed for its weightiness and for imbuing Lex Luthor with a subtle, ominous aura.

13) Michael Cudlitz | Superman & Lois

Michael Cudlitz joins the cast of Superman & Lois in season 3, bringing to life a tougher, more vengeful Lex Luthor. Having served 17 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, this portrayal finds him bitterly seeking revenge against Lois Lane (Elizabeth Tulloch), who he believes is responsible for his imprisonment and the breakdown of his relationship with his daughter. Cudlitz delivers a performance that captures Lex’s intense emotional turmoil, fueling his anger and transforming him into an intimidating and relentless adversary. This version of the character strikes a balance between humanizing his motives and showcasing his ruthlessness.

14) Nicholas Hoult | Superman

Actor Nicholas Hoult has garnered accolades for portraying Lex Luthor in director James Gunn’s Superman, who is both faithful to the comic book character and humorous. His depiction of Luthor showcases his icy, strategic, and merciless corporate demeanor that has become synonymous with the modern comics’ interpretation of the character. Furthermore, Hoult’s Luthor is a shrewd and compulsive individual who harbors intense jealousy towards Superman (David Corenswet), stemming from his resentment of the hero’s seemingly unmerited power and popularity. In the movie, he masterminds an international crisis to blame Superman, twists public sentiment against him, and even unearths a sinister secret about his Kryptonian background to sway global opinion against him.

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2025-08-10 18:48