Today, the late actor Christopher Reeve is most widely known for having suffered a terrible accident while horseback riding in the spring of 1995. Reeve, a few months shy of his 43rd birthday, would be left paralyzed from the neck down. He would live for another 10 years, during which he became a globally-recognized and celebrated activist for people living with disabilities.
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But in some ways, the wonderful work Reeve did during the challenging last 10 years of his life have outshined the fine actor and entirely decent human being he was before the accident and paralysis. Reeve was an actor who, even after shooting to international fame thanks to his turn as Superman in several feature films, not to mention a number of other starring roles in film and on television, always managed to stay poised, humble, and seemingly quite aware of who he was and the privilege he gained through his work.
Why Christopher Reeve Took Marlon Brando to Task
During a notable interview with talk show host David Letterman in the late winter of the year 1982, a young Christopher Reeve – he was 29 at the time of the taping – called out one of the most famous and venerated actors of American history: Marlon Brando. Asked by Letterman what it had been like to work with Brando, and likely expected to give a sort of “soft ball” answer, like “Oh, he’s amazing,” Reeve took the chance to call out Brando and, by extension, any and all famous folks who took their work, their peers, and the public for granted.
Reeve said, in part: “I don’t say this to be vicious, but I don’t worship at the altar of Marlon Brando, because I feel that he’s copped out in a certain way. He’s no longer in the leadership position that he could be. He could really be inspiring a whole generation of actors by continuing to work but… he doesn’t care anymore…”
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The young actor goes on to make it clear that he faulted the celebrated older star for no longer taking his craft seriously, for no longer caring, and for wasting his gifts, for Reeve did indeed call Brando a “wonderful actor” and a “brilliant man,” but in a way, those positive attributes only made it worse that Brando had begun to “phone it in,” as Reeve said, when it came to his acting as well as his relationships with fellow actors and with the public.
It’s as if Marlon Brando had, in Reeve’s opinion, felt he had grown so important as to no longer owe anything to anyone. And in Reeve’s opinion, this was fed into and only made worse by the media, which would lavish attention on the star of “A Streetcar Named Desire” and “On the Waterfront” whether he gave a damn or not.
And of course Brando was hardly the first nor will he be the last celebrity to phone in their work and their relationship with the fans of it.
Do Celebrities Owe the Public More Than They Give?
There are plenty of famous folks out there who use their fame and influence for good. We can look to singer Lady Gaga or actor Sean Penn and laud their tireless activism (and disregard a few questionable moves in the case of the latter, such as that whole trip to Mexico to interview drug kingpin El Chapo).
We can look to former President Jimmy Carter for an example of a man who, even in his late 90s, still does good works for others. We can witness how much money has been given away by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, to which both of its eponymous founders remain committed even after their separation. (Granted, presidents and businesspeople are not traditional celebrities; we include them to illustrate what can be done with wealth and influence.)
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On the other hand, there are a lot of celebrities out there who do very little for the public or their peers or, really, for anyone but themselves. We’ll not name names here, because what good what it do? Instead, let’s simply ask if a person whose riches and influence come thanks to an adoring public, be it for their acting, singing, or, in our day and age, for better or for worse, for their simply having achieved fame somehow, does a person like this owe a part of themselves, their time and effort and goodwill, to others?
We wholeheartedly argue yes, for without the public, and without the support of others in their industries, they would simply not be where they are. A scientist may labor on in anonymity and achieve great breakthroughs. A doctor need not seek out acclaim when she cures a patient. A pilot needs no fan support to fly a plane safely. But without fans, actors, singers, and other famous people are not famous at all, and are instead irrelevant. So yes, they owe us their best.
Christopher Reeve’s Most Inspiring Work
After experiencing a catastrophic accident that left us unable to move any part of our bodies below the neck, many among us may well withdraw from life entirely, especially if we had the financial means to do so. Which Christopher Reeve did, but withdraw he did not.
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Instead, even while suffering the lifelong results of his riding accident and while seeking for some cure to his ailments, Reeve became an outspoken activist for the disabled, especially for people living with spinal cord injuries. He knew that with his celebrity status and with the media paying close attention to him after the fall, he could bring much more attention to the issue than most, and that’s what he did.
For the remainder of his life, Reeve spoke, raised funds, wrote, and generally supported causes and research dedicated to making others’ lives better, even though his own would end due to complications of his injury when he was just 52 years old.
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.