In 1948, Neill played Lois Lane in a 15 part, black and white film serial and took on the role again in the 1950 film Atom vs Superman.
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Phyllis Coates played Lois in the first season (1952) of the syndicated Adventures of Superman, but when she committed to another project and could not return to the series, Neill reclaimed the role in 1953. There, she made connections that led her to the Paramount lot, and she appeared in several small film roles in the ’40s, many of which were uncredited.
After Adventures of Superman was canceled, Neill stepped away from acting and worked in public relations. She later moved onto the television series The Adventures of Superman although was not cast when the show was first set up.
The Daily Mail UK reported that Noel Neill first starred as Lois Lane in 1948.
Noel Neill, who played Lois Lane in two movie serials and on television, has died.
In 2003 a special “Lunch with Lois” was held during the event which allowed fans to dine with Neill, while she signed copies of her biography “Truth, Justice & The American Way”, by longtime friend Ward. She has, however, often appeared in Superman-related productions, often as a relative of Lois Lane’s, as well as in the aforementioned Surge of Power films.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the star’s father was an editor at the Minneapolis Star Tribune, and he had hopes that she would follow in his footsteps.
Noel Neill, the original Lois Lane, died at 95 after battling a long illness.
Neill also served as the model for the statue of Lois Lane, poised with pen and notepad, that was unveiled in 2010 in Metropolis, Illinois, which promotes itself as Superman’s hometown.
Eventually retiring from the role of Lane, Neill returned to the comic based world in 1978 as Lois’ mother Ella.
He wrote: “Few of her fans actually knew her real name, nearly always simply calling her “Lois” to which she would unfailing answer with a bright smile and a kind word”. Most recently, she had played Gertrude Vanderworth, wife of Lex Luthor, in 2006’s Superman Returns. On a summer trip to California, her ambitions turned to show business.
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The city has a life-size bronze statue of Neill in her honor at the corner of 8th and Market Street, dubbed ‘The First Lady of Metropolis‘.
