Every Actor Who Has Played Lex Luthor in DC’s Live-Action Movies & TV Shows (Including Nicholas Hoult)

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Nicholas Hoult is set to give a fresh take on Lex Luthor, a role that has been portrayed by 14 different actors across various live-action productions of DC Universe. Since his debut in the 1950s, these adaptations have resulted in eleven distinct versions of this iconic supervillain, each introducing new aspects to the character that first appeared in Action Comics #23 back in 1940.

In simpler terms, Superman symbolizes optimism and goodness, whereas Lex Luthor emphasizes the importance of human intellect over supernatural abilities. He embodies the risks associated with immense wealth, power, and ambition. Every actor who has portrayed Lex Luthor in live-action films has highlighted these characteristics, creating unique yet chilling versions of the classic villain. Known for his significant presence in DC Comics, it’s intriguing to ponder about Lex Luthor’s potential future developments following recent updates.

11) Lyle Talbot in Atom Man vs. Superman (1950)

In simpler terms, Lex Luthor, portrayed by Lyle Talbot, first appeared as a character in the 1950’s movie “Atom Man vs. Superman”, with Kirk Alyn playing Superman and Talbot as Luthor. Interestingly, Talbot’s Luthor wore the suit of Atom Man, a villainous character from the radio show “Adventures of Superman” who was originally a Nazi antagonist. The name Atom Man comes from a machine that can break down victims into atoms, which was one of several devices aimed at causing chaos in Metropolis and defeating Superman. Although Talbot is best known for his role as Joe Randolph on the 1950’s sitcom “The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet”, he holds a significant place in DC history, being the first live-action portrayal of Lex Luthor.

10) Gene Hackman in Superman (1978), Superman II (1981), and Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987)

As a devotee, I can’t help but marvel at Christopher Reeve’s iconic portrayal of Superman, and let me tell you, Gene Hackman’s Lex Luthor was the perfect adversary to that heroic figure. In Richard Donner’s 1978 Superman, Hackman debuted his Luthor as a flamboyant and captivating version of the villain, which garnered some debate, but make no mistake, Hackman’s Luthor was a grand schemer and a formidable antagonist that has left an enduring impact on many viewers, cementing his interpretation as a favorite among fans. Renowned for his roles in films such as The French Connection, Unforgiven, Bonnie and Clyde, and more, Hackman poured his prestige, notoriety, and remarkable acting prowess into Lex Luthor for Superman and two of its sequels.

9) Scott James Wells & Sherman Howard in Superboy (1988-1992)

In a live-action TV series titled “Superboy,” which aired from 1988 to 1992 over four seasons, Lex Luthor made his initial appearance. This show centered around a young Clark Kent as Superboy. In the first season, Sherman Howard portrayed Lex Luthor, an ominous and menacing version of the villain who opposed Superboy. His character was marked by dark and sadistic qualities, making this interpretation of Luthor one of the most powerful and memorable portrayals. Despite lacking lavish special effects, the show effectively emphasized Luthor’s evil nature, with Howard delivering an exceptional performance in “Superboy.

8) John Shea in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1993-1997)

In various iconic roles such as those in “The Nativity,” “Coast to Coast,” “The Italian Key,” and more, John Shea made his debut as Lex Luthor in the 1990s TV series “Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman“. Facing off against Dean Cain’s Superman, he held a leading role during the show’s first season and reprised his character as a guest in seasons 2, 3, and 4. Many viewers believe that Shea’s portrayal of Luthor is under-appreciated, as he skillfully presented a charismatic, humanized, and dramatic interpretation of the character, depicting a sophisticated and established version of Luthor despite his numerous on-screen deaths throughout the series.

7) Michael Rosenbaum in Smallville (2001-2011)

In the cherished DC show Smallville, Clark Kent and Lex Luthor’s bond was reimagined, starting off as childhood friends before evolving into sworn adversaries. Michael Rosenbaum and Tom Welling, who portrayed Luthor and Kent respectively, shared a captivating dynamic that many believe made Rosenbaum’s Luthor the quintessential version. Over the years, Rosenbaum has worked closely with DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn, even making a brief appearance in the 2025 film Superman. However, his compelling, emotional, and relatable portrayal of Lex Luthor on Smallville remains Rosenbaum’s most iconic role to this day.

6) Kevin Spacey in Superman Returns (2006)

It’s not surprising that Kevin Spacey played Lex Luthor opposite Brandon Routh’s Superman in the 2006 movie “Superman Returns”, given his frequent villain roles. Despite more recent scandals possibly tarnishing this role, Spacey’s portrayal of Luthor was quite powerful. In this movie, he sought to construct a new landmass in the Atlantic Ocean using Kryptonian technology for personal gain. However, the rather exaggerated and humorous storyline didn’t diminish the appeal of Spacey’s compelling and charismatic portrayal of the sinister antagonist. Despite this, he is not usually ranked among the top interpretations of Luthor.

5) Jesse Eisenberg in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016), Justice League (2017), and Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021)

In my humble opinion as a film critic, Jesse Eisenberg’s portrayal of Lex Luthor stands out as one of the most divisive interpretations of the character within the DC Extended Universe. His youthful take on the tech CEO was instrumental in igniting the conflict between Henry Cavill’s Superman and Ben Affleck’s Batman in the 2016 blockbuster, “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice”.

However, his role didn’t end there. He made brief appearances in both the original “Justice League” and Zack Snyder’s Director’s Cut. Despite Eisenberg’s acclaimed performances in films like “A Real Pain”, “Now You See Me”, and “Zombieland”, Luthor seems to be a significant departure from his usual brilliance, marking a noticeable low point both for him personally and in the history of the live-action Lex Luthor character.

4) Jon Cryer and Aidan Fink in the Arrowverse (2019-2021)

In 1987, Jon Cryer first played Lex Luthor’s nephew Lenny in “Superman IV: The Quest for Peace.” Later on, he took over the role of Lex Luthor himself in shows within The CW’s Arrowverse, most notably in the “Supergirl” series opposite Melissa Benoist as Kara Zor-El. In 2019’s “Crisis on Infinite Earths” event, Cryer’s Lex Luthor made guest appearances in “Batwoman,” “The Flash,” “Arrow,” and “Legends of Tomorrow.” Aidan Fink portrayed a younger version of Cryer’s Lex Luthor in “Supergirl,” where both actors delivered a chilling portrayal of the character’s menace, manipulation, intelligence, and grand ambition, remaining faithful to the original DC Comics character, providing a refreshing take on the villain.

3) Titus Welliver and Payne Novak in Titans (2022)

Titus Welliver made a single appearance as Lex Luthor in the HBO Max series Titans, yet left an indelible impression as the bearded adversary, sharing screen time with Payne Novak who portrayed a younger Luthor. In season 4’s premiere titled “Lex Luthor,” Welliver graced the screen, developing a friendship between Luthor and Clark Kent during their childhood years similar to the Smallville series. Welliver’s nuanced and sympathetic performance as the villain subtly conveyed his malevolent traits without resorting to overt stereotypes, resulting in a standout character despite his limited screen time.

2) Michael Cudlitz in Superman & Lois (2023-2024)

In a fresh take on the legendary Superman storyline, the latest series titled “Superman & Lois” has garnered acclaim for its gritty, authentic portrayal of Superman. This authenticity is particularly noticeable in Michael Cudlitz’s interpretation of Lex Luthor. Known for his roles in “Band of Brothers” and “The Walking Dead”, Cudlitz infused Lex Luthor with a sense of weightiness, seriousness, ruthlessness, and an intimidating presence that stood in stark contrast to Tyler Hoechlin’s Superman and Elizabeth Tulloch’s Lois Lane. Some viewers criticized his portrayal for deviating from the traditional genius depiction of Lex Luthor, but others were delighted by this departure from the norm for this classic character.

1) Nicholas Hoult in Superman (2025)

In 2025’s “Superman,” Nicholas Hoult made his debut as Lex Luthor, a portrayal that has already earned widespread acclaim and affection. Hoult’s Luthor embodies ruthless evil and unapologetic terror, showing no mercy or remorse in his actions. He disregards the city of Metropolis being torn apart by a dimensional rift, keeps numerous people captive in his personal dimension, and is solely focused on humbling Superman and degrading the world’s Metahumans. Luthor will stop at nothing to achieve this goal, pushing boundaries in his pursuit. Hoult will reprise his role as Luthor in the 2027 film “Man of Tomorrow,” where we can expect further development of this instantly iconic rendition of the character.

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2025-09-05 21:15