Will Reeve lost his parents at age 13 but grew up to be a successful and well-rounded man, supporting his parents’ foundation.
Christopher Reeve may have already passed, but his legacy is kept alive through his and Dana Reeve’s foundation that helps people with paralysis.
The comic book and football world recently joined forces to support the Christopher and Dana Reeve foundation at the Motor City Comic-Con.
Christopher Reeve at the SuperSkate VI charity hockey event at Madison Square Garden, January 25, 2004 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
Former Rutgers football star Eric LeGrand, who had a spinal injury in 2010, was present at the event to advance the cause.
Christopher and Dana’s legacies also live on through their son, Will, who was orphaned at 13. Here is a look at the young boy’s life and who raised him through the years.
DANA REEVE MADE ARRANGEMENTS FOR HER SON BEFORE DYING
Will lost his mother in 2006 after she succumbed to lung cancer at the age of 44. Before her passing, Dana had already made arrangements for her son to be cared for by a family friend.
Will Reeve on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” January 17, 2020. | Source: Getty Images
Although she and her husband had siblings ready to take Will under their wing, their son’s comfort remained in their local community.
Dana wanted her boy to live in Bedford, New York, surrounded by familiar faces he grew up with. Following her death, Will lived with a close friend.
HOW DOES WILL REEVE REMEMBER HIS FATHER?
Sadly, Dana’s passing is not the first tragedy that Will experienced. In 1995, before turning three, his father became paralyzed in an equestrian competition.
Christopher Reeve and Dana Reeve during the screening of “House Of D” during the 2004 Tribeca Film Festival May 7, 2004 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
The “Superman” star became an advocate for spinal cord injury research following the accident and founded the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. Sadly, he passed away in 2004 at the age of 52, before his son turned 13 years old.
Will remembers his father as a loving man who sparked his interest in whales. “I fell in love with whales,” he said. “They became and remain my favorite animal – and dreamed that when I got older, I’d go to see them up close, just like the man on my screen.”
The man he was referring to was his father, whom he never got to see whales with. “We never got to do a lot of stereotypical father-son stuff – no catch in the backyard, no birds and the bees, no driving lessons,” he said.
Will Reeve on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” January 17, 2020. | Source: Getty Images
Will wants to honor his parents by being the captain of his own ship instead of following what others think should be his path. It has been years since Christopher’s passing, but his son still misses him deeply.
WHAT DOES WILL REEVE DO NOW?
Will grew up to be a reporter and famously appeared on a “Good Morning America” segment where he appeared to be dressed from the waist up only.
Viewers caught a glimpse of his leg and thought he was not wearing anything below when he was actually wearing shorts. It was not long before Will addressed comments that swirled on social media and took it with a grain of salt.
Aside from journalism, Will is also an actor known for “Everyone’s Hero,” “The Brooke Ellison Story,” and “In the Gloaming.” Behind the scenes, he is a philanthropist, working under his parents’ foundation.
