Bob Holiday as Superman 1966

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Bob Holiday originated the dual role of Superman/Clark Kent on Broadway in the

acclaimed 1966 Hal Prince musical “It’s a Bird…It’s a Plane…It’s Superman.”

Born in Brooklyn, New York, Bob served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War

and began his entertainment career singing in nightclubs, soon moving to Broadway

in such shows as Fiorello! Bob was chosen over scores of other actors to portray the

Man of Steel because of his 6 foot, 4 inch, 190 pound frame, square-jawed good

looks, and powerful voice. “It’s a Bird…It’s a Plane…It’s Superman” opened at the

Alvin (now Neil Simon) Theatre on March 29, 1966. Of Bob’s performance, reviewer

Whitney Bolton of The New York Morning Telegram said Bob’s, “embodiment of

Superman makes the show come alive and sparkle. His portrait of a ponderous

human miracle, in love with good deeds and unabashed virtue, is delightful.”

Featuring songs written by Charles Strouse (composer of Bye Bye Birdie and Annie),

the original score of this Tony-nominated musical has never been out of print. Bob

repeated his Superman role in open-air performances in St. Louis and Kansas City

during the summer of 1967. Bob’s more than 150 Superman performances make

him the all-time champion of Superman actors, having portrayed the live-action

character in costume more times than any other actor. Bob also appeared in the

short film The Story of Superman, in a filmed Aqua Velva commercial, and in a TV

episode of I’ve Got a Secret.

Bob retired from acting and became a homebuilder in the 1970’s, but returned to

the stage in 2003 when he thrilled audiences as the featured performer during the

Metropolis Superman Celebration.

To learn more about Bob Holiday go to www.SupermanBobHoliday.com.