The Most Popular Lois Lane?
Thursday, September 6th, 2007
Okay, so if Noel Neill was the very first starring and most prodigious Lois Lane, and Phyllis Coates was the first Lois Lane of TV and the movies, which one is the most popular Lois Lane? Well, as a Gen X’er, I’d have to answer that question with a resounding Margot Kidder!! She of course played lovable but harsh smoker Lois in the four Superman movies of the late ’70’s and 80’s starring Christopher Reeve as the Man of Steel. She also went on to portray Bridgette Crosby in the most excellent Superman TV series Smallville. Read the rest of this entry »
If I were to argue that Noel Neill was the very first and most prolific actress to portray Superman heroine Lois Lane, you might respond that Phyllis Coates was actually both the first Lois Lane in both the movies and on TV. And you would be correct. Phyllis Coates portrayed Lois Lane for the duration of the first season of The Adventures of Superman and also starred in the theatrical movie Superman and the Mole-Men in 1951. I had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Coates on three different occasions. 
As my one of my idols Jerry Seinfeld does, I have a healthy obsession with the Man of Steel. I like all things Superman. I collect the TV shows, movies, and cartoons. I even like the comic books although I haven’t really delved into collecting them – but I am fascinated with the legend. So naturally, being an avid autograph collector, I’ve made it my goal to get a signature from whomever I can associated with the legendary superhero, some of course being easier to obtain than others. 
An ode to Three’s Company…It was December 10, 1985 when my flirtation with collecting autographs from the cast members of Three’s Company first began. When sending requests through the mail, I generally steered clear of most ‘high-caliber’ stars of the current day. They were generally met with one form of rejection or another. However, John Ritter did not disappoint me. He signed both the photo that I sent him along with two notecards, even adding a humorous inscription on one. These were returned in an extremely timely fashion as well: on December 23, just two days before Christmas. 
I first met Gary Owens at the Hollywood Collectors Show during the Summer of 1995. He wasn’t there selling his autograph, he was just browsing the stalls. Bob pointed him out to me and I approached him and asked him to sign two blank 3 x 5 notecards. He was very friendly, but I still recall to this day that after he signed my autographs he turned to walk away and made some odd face, as if saying “now get the hell away from me.” I only mention this because it sticks with me so vividly, but I have always assumed that maybe I misinterpreted his expression.