Here's what Jack Larson thought about George Reeves directing episodes of Adventures of Superman
George Reeves paved the way for all the amazing Supermans to follow. Although Kirk Alyn was the first to portray the beloved DC superhero in a live-action movie serial, Reeves brought the character to life on television. His journey as Superman wasn't all glitz and glamour, though. George often shared his gratitude, yet he also expressed deep sadness about how the role affected his life.
The Adventures of Superman may have connected him to millions of children, who admired the icon and respected him more than adults, but it also placed him in a box, one that Superman himself couldn't break out of. Producers decided not to give Reeves a chance, although his extensive resume should've gotten him parts easily, so he pivoted to directing.
It was a passion that started during the 1950s series, where George directed about 13 episodes of Adventures of Superman, and co-star Jack Larson once shared his thoughts about the actor's additional gig. In the book "Hollywood Kryptonite: The Bulldog, The Lady, and The Death of Superman" by Sam Kashner and Nancy Schoenberger, it is said that Larson was supportive of his friend stepping into a new journey.
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"We all pitched in real hard to make these good shows for George," Larson recalled. "And he was very concerned and excited. Noel and I thought George had a real future as a director, that he'd segue and direct other television [shows]."
Larson, who played Jimmy Olsen on the series, continued to speak highly of Reeves, something that Hollywood should've done as well. Reeves' transition to directing was not just a fallback option, but a hidden talent that soon came to light.