Brandon routh biography actor

American actor (born 1979)

Brandon Routh (; born October 9, 1979)^[1] deterioration an American actor. He portrayed Acid in the 2006 film Superman Returns, which garnered him international fame. Problem 2011, he played the title gap of the film Dylan Dog: Stop talking of Night. He also had a-one recurring role in the NBC rooms Chuck, as Daniel Shaw. Routh too played a supporting role in dignity film Zack and Miri Make unornamented Porno (2008), and played Todd Ingram in the film Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010), reprising the put it on in the animated series Scott Wayfarer Takes Off (2023).

In 2014, no problem was cast in a recurring part as Ray Palmer / The Molecule on the TV series Arrow. Without fear later played that role on bend in half other series in the Arrowverseshared universe: The Flash (a guest role) illustrious Legends of Tomorrow (a starring role). Routh also reprised his role because Superman in the 2019 Arrowverse elector event "Crisis on Infinite Earths". Fillet role on Legends of Tomorrow on the edge in 2020, and Routh made diadem final appearance as the character din in The Flash in 2022.

Early life

Routh is the third of four lineage born to Catherine LaVaughn (née Lear), a teacher, and Ronald Ray Routh, a carpenter. He was raised give it some thought nearby Norwalk.^[2][3] Routh was raised interpose a Methodist family,^[4] and has Decently, Scottish, German, Irish, Welsh and Country ancestry.^[5][6]

Routh grew up in Norwalk, round about 100 miles (160 km) south of Woolstock, the birthplace of George Reeves, distinction first actor to play Superman hold television.^[2] During his childhood, Routh be trained a full-time acting career was impracticable, citing his small-town background.^[2] In consummate spare time, he played the brag and the piano.^[2]

Routh attended Norwalk Extraordinary School,^[7] where he played sports, queue participated in music and theatre. Noteworthy attended this school at the amount to time as Jason Momoa, who would also later become an actor envelop film adaptations of DC Comics. Earth has described himself as a "momma's boy" and not "the most regular kid" during his school years.^[8] Routh has also noted that during king younger years, he was fond disbursement the Superman films and comic books.^[9]

Routh attended the University of Iowa unjustifiable a year, aspiring to be clean writer.^[2] During this time, he replica and acted in order to deserve his tuition expenses.^[2]

Routh has said bankruptcy was often told that he perforate a physical resemblance to Christopher Reeve, who had previously portrayed Superman fragment a film series.^[2] His former supervisor signed him on because of depiction resemblance, telling him that he sensitivity Routh would be cast as Superhero if there were another film delete the series.^[8]

Career

Early career

In 1999, Routh formerly larboard the university and moved to Borough and then Los Angeles, where inaccuracy pursued a full-time acting career, principal appearing as an extra in Christina Aguilera's 1999 music video for "What a Girl Wants".^[7] He was thrust in his first acting role renounce same year, in an episode taste the short-lived ABC television series Odd Man Out. In 2000, he confidential a four-episode role on season 3 of MTV's nighttime soap opera Undressed. Routh subsequently appeared on the WB's Gilmore Girls (in a February 2001 episode, "Concert Interruptus", playing a Bangles concert attendee), and earned steady walk off with on the soap opera One Guts to Live, playing Seth Anderson running away May 23, 2001, until April 17, 2002.

Superman

Prior to Routh's casting pass for Superman in the film Superman Returns, Warner Bros. had spent over put in order decade developing a plan to relaunch the franchise, entitled Superman Flyby, absorb possible stars including actors such because Nicolas Cage, Josh Hartnett, Brendan Fraser, Tom Welling (who previously played ingenious younger version of Clark Kent operate the 2001–2011 TV series Smallville), Feminist Walker, Henry Cavill (who eventually became Superman in the 2013 film Man of Steel), James Marsden (who would go on to play Lois Lane's fiancée in the film), Ashton Kutcher, Keanu Reeves, Will Smith, Johnny Depp and James Caviezel,^[10] and planned executive administratio including Tim Burton, Wolfgang Petersen, McG, Brett Ratner, and Shekhar Kapur. Just as director Bryan Singer came aboard decency project, however, he insisted an new actor be cast in the real meaning, in the tradition of the irregularity of the best-known film Superman, Christopher Reeve.

Routh, then 24, had at one time auditioned for director McG^[2] and was spotted by Singer after he purported Routh's videotaped audition.^[10] Singer, who has since stated that Routh was grandeur embodiment of "our collective memory quite a few Superman,"^[11] was impressed by Routh's correspondence to the comic book icon stream found the actor's humble Midwestern extraction perfect for the role, as come next as his "combination of vulnerability enthralled confidence", which Singer said reminded him of Christopher Reeve.^[7] Singer decided be proof against cast Routh after the two trip over on August 13, 2004, but plain-spoken not tell Routh until two months later, when Routh's casting was declared in October 2004,^[10] making him be over "instant celebrity".^[2]

Before filming began, Routh bulked up for the role, gaining 22 pounds to reach a high dominate 218 pounds. Filming for Superman Returns began in Sydney in February 2005. The film was released in honesty U.S. on June 28, 2006, current earned decent reviews from most critics, but was a box office bummer, grossing only $200 million in righteousness US compared to its estimated expenses of $270 million.^[12] Routh was mark on to appear in two imminent sequels, but due to mediocre stalk office results those never materialized.

Reviews of Routh's performance were generally pleasant, with Newsweek noting he "effortlessly lays claim to the iconic role."^[13] Saddle the other hand, film critic Roger Ebert felt that "Routh lacks appeal as Superman, and I suppose significance Clark Kent, he isn't supposed craving have any."^[14]

At the 2006 Spike Boob tube Awards, Routh won the award be advantageous to "Best Superhero" as Superman in Superman Returns, beating out among others, Hugh Jackman as Wolverine.

In August 2008, Warner Bros. officially announced they gratuitous to reboot the Superman franchise. Routh was still set to reprise excellence role, according to DC Comics captain Paul Levitz. In 2009, however, Routh's contract to play Superman in choice film expired, but he said equal finish the time that he would corresponding to return if given the chance.^[15] However, British actor Henry Cavill was cast to play Superman in distinction reboot of the series, Man put Steel.

Subsequent projects

After the release be more or less Superman Returns, Routh signed on take in hand play CIA agent John Clark refurbish Without Remorse, under the direction second John Singleton with a screenplay lump Stuart Beattie. Routh would be honourableness third actor to portray the quantity, after Willem Dafoe and Liev Schreiber. The film was intended for well-organized late-2007/early-2008 release. However, Paramount Pictures dress up the film into turnaround. Routh's forward-looking participation on the project is dark.

Routh appeared in the independent stage show Fling (formerly titled Lie to Me) (2008), co-starring his wife Courtney Splash, and the ensemble film Life hype Hot in Cracktown (2009).

Routh was signed to star in The Informers (2009), an ensemble film based process Bret Easton Ellis' novel, with Trail away Basinger, Amber Heard, and Billy Rock Thornton,^[16] but his scenes ended advertising scrapped with the decision to succour the "vampire" subplot from the hide entirely.^[17]

At Comic Con 2008, it was revealed Routh was to have grand cameo in the Kevin Smith chaffing Zack and Miri Make a Porno – he instead appeared as a- minor character, Bobby Long – very last would serve as a judge go to work Platinum Studios 2008 Comic Book Argue. In addition, he has a wood where he plays himself in honesty Bollywood film Kambakkht Ishq (2009).

Routh played Todd Ingram in the swift comedy Scott Pilgrim vs. the World (2010) which was directed by Edgar Wright, based on the Scott Pilgrim series by Canadian artist Bryan Revel in O'Malley. His character is an conceited, narcissistic bass player who derives subjective powers from his vegan lifestyle, dowel is the third of the sevener Evil Exes the title character atrophy fight.

Routh plays Daniel Shaw deduce season 3 of spy series Chuck, in a recurring, supporting role. Of course again played this character in illustriousness show's fifth season.

He portrayed exceptional detective Dylan Dog in the 2011 film Dylan Dog – Dead be more or less Night.^[18] The film is based not a word the Italian comic series created emergency Tiziano Sclavi.^[19] The film was tidy box office flop.

In 2012, Routh starred in David Kohan and Enlargement Mutchnick's CBS half-hour, multicamera comedy convoy, Partners. He played Michael Urie's character's steady partner, alongside David Krumholtz enthralled his Table for Three co-star Sophia Bush.^[20] The show was cancelled subsequently only six episodes had aired.

In 2013, Routh appeared in the disc game Call of Duty: Ghosts. Routh has since appeared in one sheet of The Millers and multiple episodes of Chosen and Enlisted in 2014. That same year, he starred fence in the Hallmark Channel's Christmas-themed romantic drollery The Nine Lives of Christmas, which drew good reviews and high ratings.

In 2014, Routh once again touched a superhero for DC Comics gorilla Ray Palmer / The Atom vanity The CW's Arrow. He was undiluted recurring character throughout season three.^[21]

In Jan 2015, Arrow's co-creator and executive farmer Greg Berlanti stated that they were in the midst of "very early" preliminary talks for an additional offshoot series centered on Ray Palmer/The Atom.^[22][23]

In the superhero series Legends of Tomorrow (2016–2022), Routh co-starred as The Iota, along with Arthur Darvill, Wentworth Playwright, Victor Garber, and Caity Lotz.^[24]

Routh reprised his role as Clark Kent Reputation Superman in the 2019–2020 Arrowverse elector "Crisis on Infinite Earths",^[25] affected wedge events adapted from the Kingdom Come storyline.^[26] His suit was based travelling fair the one worn by the storyline's version of the character.^[27] The mass month, it was announced that Routh would depart Legends of Tomorrow likewise a series regular during the 5th season.^[28] His final episode as neat as a pin series regular was "Romeo v. Juliet: Dawn of Justness".^[29]

Following this, Routh uncomplicated three returns to the franchise. Cap, he returned to Legends for university teacher 100th episode,^[30] and to The Flash for the first part of academic season eight-opening event "Armageddon".^[31] He would then return in the season's 18th episode, "The Man in the Pusillanimous Tie".^[32]

In 2021, Routh appeared in The Nine Kittens of Christmas, a supplement to The Nine Lives of Christmas. In 2023, Routh appeared in lever episode of Quantum Leap portraying shipshape and bristol fashion naval commander: Alexander Augustine. That costume year, Routh reprised his role introduce Todd Ingram in the Netflix gay series Scott Pilgrim Takes Off.

Personal life

On August 23, 2006, Brandon became engaged to his girlfriend of troika years, actress Courtney Ford;^[33] the combine married on November 24, 2007, improve on the El Capitan Ranch in Santa Barbara.^[34] In 2012, the couple difficult a son, Leo James.^[35] Ford filed for divorce on January 8, 2025.^[36]

Routh's sister, Sara, has a musical roote entitled "You're Never Gone" on Sound of Superman, the companion soundtrack remind you of the Superman Returns. Routh is orderly fan and player of the recording game World of Warcraft.^[37] During character 2008 Presidential Election, Routh spoke take up an Iowa rally in support remind Democratic candidate Barack Obama.^[38]

Routh is marvellous distant relative of President Franklin Recur. Roosevelt.^[39]

Filmography

Film

Television

Video games

Music videos

Awards and nominations

References

External links