When you think about it, there’s not much difference between life as a superhero and life as an actor. Both have rigorous schedules, strenuous physical work, costumes, colorful coworkers and the opportunity to pretend to be someone else. So, it should come as no surprise that quite a few DC heroes have tried their hand on stage and screen. Here are six of the more memorable.
Wonder Woman Becomes a Serial Star (and Ignores the Script)
In Sensation Comics #88, Wonder Woman learns that every actress who has been cast in the serial Danger Trail has suffered a mysterious accident, so she decides to investigate by auditioning for the (now vacant) lead role. Since she’s the only actress with superpowers, the producers give her the role, which admittedly seems kind of unfair, but who wouldn’t want Wonder Woman in their movie?
Diana wears her costume for all of the film’s scenes, which is probably good publicity for everyone and a boon for their costuming budget. But when the set is plagued by a series of accidents, Wonder Woman springs into action, even if it means going off-script. (To be fair, the director doesn’t care, since the footage is still pretty cool.) Wonder Woman eventually learns that the chaos is caused by an angry producer, and once she exposes him, they’re able to finish the film.
Clark Kent Stars in a Superboy Film as Superboy (and the Producers Were Creeps)
In 1950’s Adventure Comics #155, a production company sets up shop in Smallville to make a movie about Superboy. The producers cast a stuck-up actor named Reginald Snoddish as the Boy of Steel but decide it might be fun to have a different actor play Superboy’s alter ego.
Typically, a studio would hold auditions in a situation like this, but here, the producers slip pieces of paper into lunches at Smallville High, telling students they could be the next Superboy. They then hide in the bushes and spy on the high school students hoping to find their next star, which has got to be the creepiest way of casting a role ever devised. When they spot Clark Kent, they emerge from the bushes, grab him, and proclaim he would be playing Superboy’s secret identity. Clark, rather than calling the police or using his superpowers to teach them a painful lesson in why it’s not nice to surprise and physically grab unsuspecting minors, went along with it…probably because he thought it would be hilarious.
Beast Boy Stars in a Star Trek Ripoff (and Causes an Unplanned Doom Patrol Crossover)
After the death of the original Doom Patrol, Beast Boy decides to try his luck in Hollywood, getting cast in a show called Space Trek 2022, where he plays an alien named Tork. The character has the ability to transform into different animals, making Gar…well, pretty much perfect for it. (I don’t see Hal Jordan pulling that off.) Beast Boy uses his abilities on camera because, as everyone knows, practical VFX are best and they even let Beast Boy’s character wear his original Doom Patrol uniform in each episode. Unfortunately, this leads to an attack by the Arsenal, a pest of a villain that used to frequently attack Beast Boy’s old crew.
Fortunately, Beast Boy is able to fight him off and the show proves to be popular, garnering huge ratings, merchandise and even a “win a date with Tork” contest. However, according to Tales of the New Teen Titans #3, they were forced to go off the air after they were sued for ripping off Star Trek and Space: 1999.
Supergirl Lands a Soap Opera Role (and Sticks With It For a While)
In Superman Family #208, a television producer overhears Linda Danvers arguing with her boss and tells her that her fiery temper is just right for the soap opera Secret Hearts, and he offers her the role on the spot. Linda, who was fed up with her guidance counselor job, accepts.
You’re probably assuming that this was a job Linda tried for one issue before moving on, but actually this became the status quo for a while. Supergirl remained on Secret Hearts for the remainder of Superman Family. At times Linda would pretend to be a diva and act out on set to create a pretense so she could storm off and save the world as Supergirl. Eventually, however, she grew tired of the rigorous soap opera shooting schedule and left the series in 1982’s Superman #376.
Young Justice is Featured in a Reality TV Series (and Robin Makes a Fool of Himself)
In 2002, reality shows were all the rage, so in 2002’s Young Justice #52, the heroes of Young Justice are given the chance to star in their own series. Cameras are placed around their headquarters, giving viewers an intimate look at the life of a teen superhero. The team secures a contract stipulating that faces of visitors will be blurred out, and they have final edit choices in case there are any secret identity concerns.
Tim Drake is unable to participate as Robin due to Batman’s rules about keeping a low profile. However, he finds a loophole by developing a new heroic identity called Mister Sarcastic, who looks kind of like a cross between Kevin Federline and one of the Backstreet Boys. It’s pure 2002 and you need to see it to believe it.
Blue Devil Gets a Little Too Into His Role (and Winds Up Becoming a Superhero)
You can’t talk about DC heroes in showbiz without talking about Blue Devil. While the other entries on this list were heroes who tried their hand at acting, Daniel Cassidy was an actor who just happened to fall into the superhero life. This started when the actor/VFX wizard/stuntman starred in a movie called Blue Devil, which required him to wear a special devil suit.
The shoot is interrupted by a real demon named Nebiros, who uses his demonic powers to permanently bond Cassidy with the suit. In most superhero stories, this is where the hero leaves his old life behind and follows the call to action, but not Cassidy. Blue Devil tries to maintain his old life as a Hollywood stuntman, but he keeps stumbling into various superhero adventures, causing him to eventually give in and embrace life as a crimefighter.
So, what have we learned? In the DCU, it’s easier to land a starring role than you think, Star Trek has scary lawyers and Tim Drake can be a bit extra when he goes off script. That’s showbiz, baby.
Joshua Lapin-Bertone writes about TV, movies and comics for DC.com, is a regular contributor to the Couch Club and writes our monthly Batman column, "Gotham Gazette." Follow him on Bluesky at @joshualapinbertone and on X at @TBUJosh.
NOTE: The views and opinions expressed in this feature are solely those of Joshua Lapin-Bertone and do not necessarily reflect those of DC or Warner Bros. Discovery, nor should they be read as confirmation or denial of future DC plans.
