The journey to professional acting began for Brandon Routh when he moved to Los Angeles during the summer following his freshman year at the University of Iowa. Initially pursuing a degree with aspirations of becoming a fantasy writer and graphic designer, he secured his first role within a month of relocating to the city.
Early Development and Media Work
Raised in Norwalk, Iowa, Routh attended Norwalk High School, where he engaged in swimming, soccer, theatre, and music. He later transitioned into modeling to fund his university education before moving to Manhattan and eventually Los Angeles to pursue acting full-time. His initial screen appearances included an extra role in the 1999 music video for Christina Aguilera's What a Girl Wants, followed by an appearance in the ABC series Odd Man Out and a four-episode arc on the MTV soap opera Undressed. He gained professional experience through 2001 on the soap opera One Life to Live, portraying Seth Anderson.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Transition to Superman
Director Bryan Singer selected Routh to star in the 2006 film Superman Returns, aiming to cast an unknown actor to embody the character. Routh, then 24, was chosen following a videotaped audition and a meeting with Singer in August 2004. To prepare for the physicality of the role, he increased his weight to 218 pounds. Despite the film's release in June 2006 and his subsequent Saturn Award for Best Actor, Warner Bros. ultimately did not produce the planned sequels, and the franchise was eventually rebooted with Henry Cavill.
Television and Ensemble Roles
Routh maintained a consistent presence in television and film throughout the following decade. He appeared as Daniel Shaw in the NBC series Chuck and played Todd Ingram in the 2010 film Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, a role he reprised in the 2023 animated series Scott Pilgrim Takes Off. In 2011, he headlined the film Dylan Dog: Dead of Night. His involvement in the Arrowverse began in 2014 when he was cast as Ray Palmer, also known as The Atom, on the series Arrow. He expanded this role into a starring position on Legends of Tomorrow and made appearances on The Flash, culminating in his participation in the 2019 crossover event Crisis on Infinite Earths.
Fast facts
- Born: 1979, Des Moines, United States
- Education: Norwalk High School, University of Iowa
- Award: Saturn Award for Best Actor (2006)
- Award: Empire Award for Best Male Newcomer (2006)
- Film Debut: Superman Returns (2006)
- Television roles: Chuck, Arrow, The Flash, Legends of Tomorrow
- Languages: English
Questions readers ask
Did Brandon Routh play Superman in more than one film?
No, he starred as Superman only in the 2006 film Superman Returns, though he later reprised the character for the 2019 Arrowverse crossover event Crisis on Infinite Earths.
What sports did Brandon Routh play in high school?
He participated in soccer and swimming while attending Norwalk High School.
Achievements
- Educated at University of Iowa and Norwalk High School
- Worked as actor, association football player and film actor