Lois Lane made her debut alongside Superman in 1938’s “Action Comics #1”. More than just Superman’s love interest, Lois is a fierce newspaper reporter in her own right. An essential part of the Superman story, Lois Lane has been portrayed by many different women over the years across television and film. So let’s take a look at the Top 10 best live-action portrayals.
10 – Patricia Marand (“It’s a Bird… It’s a Plane… It’s Superman!” Broadway musical)
On March 29, 1966 Superman made it to broadway in the musical comedy “It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s Superman!” at the Alvin Theatre. Patricia Marand played the role of Lois Lane opposite Bob Holiday’s Superman. Despite some favorable reviews, the musical didn’t catch on and closed on July 17, 1966. However Marand still received a Tony Award nomination for her part as Lois Lane. Sadly no footage of Marand as Lois Lane exists.
9 – Lesley Ann Warren (“It’s a Bird… It’s a Plane… It’s Superman!” TV movie)
The ABC TV Network’s adaptation of “It’s A Bird, It’s A Plane, It’s Superman!” aired on Friday Night February 1, 1975. Receiving poor reviews due to its overly camp adaptation of the 1966 broadway musical, the TV movie was filmed on video over the course of 3 days, with Lesley Ann Warren playing the role of Lois Lane. 10 years later Warren was amongst many actors who auditioned for the role of Lois Lane for “Superman: The Movie,” with Margot eventually being chosen for the part.
8 – Kate Bosworth (“Superman Returns”)
Much has been written about the 2006 movie “Superman Returns”, and a large amount of those discussions center around the casting of the film, especially in regards to Kate Bosworth as Lois Lane. Mixed reviews about her performance mostly focused on her age, with critics complaining that the 22-year-old Bosworth was too young to portray the fearless Daily Planet reporter. Through a long series of auditions Bosworth won the part over several other prominent actresses, including Claire Danes, Linda Cardellini, and Michelle Monaghan.
7 – Elizabeth Tulloch (“Supergirl”, “Superman & Lois” TV series)
Elizabeth “Bitsie” Tulloch was first cast in the role of Lois Lane for The CW’s December 2018 “Elseworlds” superhero crossover. Tulloch would go on to play the role in the TV series “Superman & Lois” alongside Tyler Hoechlin’s Superman. Encompassing everything from Lois’ inherent strength, her journalistic talents, to her ushakeable moral compass, Tulloch also took the character places many other versions haven’t had to go, being the mother of two teenage boys.
6 – Phyllis Coates (“Adventures of Superman” TV series)
Phyllis Coates became the second actress to portray the role of Lois Lane on-screen, first appearing in the 1951 movie, “Superman and the Mole Men” which starred George Reeves as Superman. This movie essentially served as the pilot for the “Adventures of Superman” TV series. Phyllis Coates’ version of Lois was simultaneously beautiful and fiercely determined, not to be outdone by Clark Kent. Some have said that her version of Lois Lane was far ahead of its time and that she became a trendsetter on behalf of women’s equality in the 1950s. Due to conflicts with the producer and prior commitments Phyllis decided not to return to the role when filming resumed for the second season of the TV series in 1953.
5 – Noel Neill (Superman Serials, “Adventures of Superman” TV series)
Noel Neill was the first actress to portray Lois Lane on-screen. First cast in the role for the 1948 “Superman” serial alongside Kirk Alyn, Neill would return in the role for the 1950 serial sequel “Atom Man vs. Superman”. For whatever reason, when the decision was made to make a new Superman movie, “Superman and the Mole Men,” Noel Neill was not asked to reprise the role. However, when Phyllis Coates decided not to return for the second season of the “Adventures of Superman” TV series, Noel Neill was given the role with no audition. She would continue in the part for the remaining five seasons.
4 – Amy Adams (Henry Cavill Superman movies)
Amy Adams was cast as Lois Lane for the 2013 Superman movie “Man of Steel,” alongside Henry Cavill’s Superman. Director Zack Snyder says he cast Adams in the role because “Amy has the talent to capture all of the qualities we love about Lois: smart, tough, funny, warm, ambitious and, of course, beautiful.” Adams would go on to play the role in both “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” and both versions of the “Justice League” movie.
3 – Margot Kidder (Christopher Reeve Superman movies)
After a lengthy auditioning process which saw actors like Anne Archer, Susan Blakely, Lesley Ann Warren, and Stockard Channing try out for the part, Margot Kidder was chosen to play the role of ace reporter Lois Lane in 1978’s “Superman: The Movie” alongside relative newcomer Christopher Reeve’s Clark Kent and Superman. Because of her dogged approach to journalism, Lois would constantly get herself into dangerous scrapes that required Superman to come to her rescue. Kidder would go on to appear in three sequels.
2 – Erica Durance (“Smallville” TV series)
Cast to play Lois Lane during Season 4 of the TV series “Smallville,” Erica Durance became a series regular in the show’s fifth season, staying in the role for the remainder of the series run. While dozens auditioned for the role, Durance won the part with executive producer Greg Beeman saying, “She had a toughness about her. She was tough and sexy and direct.” When the series ended after 10 seasons, Durance returned to play Lois Lane in The CW’s “Crisis on Infinite Earths” crossover, teaming up once more with Tom Welling as Clark Kent.
1 – Teri Hatcher (“Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman” TV series)
Teri Hatcher rose to fame playing the role of Lois Lane from 1993 to 1997 on the hit TV series “Lois & Clark: The New Aventures of Superman”. In 1995, at the height of the show’s popularity, this photo of Hatcher wrapped in a Superman cape was reportedly the most downloaded image on the Internet for several months. Hatcher brought a sassy, sexy vibe to the character, but also showed a layer of vulnerability that gave her character real depth.
