George Reeves, 'The Adventures of Superman' (1952-58):

The most mature-looking and least pretty boy of your big- or small-screen Supeys. Reeves had that 1950s manly-man thing down, making him perhaps the most believable deflecting bullets from his barrel chest and stopping locomotives with his brute strength. Then again, he may have been the least convincing Clark Kent because he appeared entirely too virile, even in those glasses, to be a big dork.

Christopher Reeve, 'Superman: The Movie' (1978) 'Superman II' (1981), 'Superman III ' (1983), 'Superman: The Quest For Peace' (1987):

One of the most beautiful mortals ever created (in a lab, perhaps?), Reeve was, for many, the Superman of record. His portrayal wasn't incredibly layered, but then again, it didn't have to be — Superman's mission was simply to save the world with the strength of those big, strong shoulders. He was shiningly pure, faultlessly valiant and prettier than his Lois Lane.

Dean Cain, 'Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman' (1993-1997):

Cain may have been the best Clark Kent, because under that football-trained physique was impeccable comic timing and the ability to dork out a little. Also, Cain, who is part Japanese, was the first Superman not to be completely lily white-looking, making him more of a universal superdude.

Tom Welling, 'Smallville' (2001-present):

Otherwise known as Superman: The Tiger Beat Years, Welling plays the fledgling Boy of Steel with an ethereal moral goodness, a slightly angsty soul and the long lashes and otherworldly doe eyes of an elfin prince. Or, at least, an elfin prince who could bench press a Sam Goody store's worth of emo CDs.

Brandon Routh, 'Superman Returns' (2006):

The heir to Christopher Reeve's cinematic Super cape, Routh shares his predecessor's pretty/virile physique and ridiculously blue eyes. But those eyes brim with more regret and sadness than Reeve's Supey. Still, sufficiently dreamy.