Nicholas Hoult is the 14th actor to play Lex Luthor in live-action, but will perhaps become the most prominent as the Lex Luthor of the new DC Universe. In the years since his live-action debut back in 1950, 14 actors have portrayed Superman’s greatest human antagonist in DC’s movies and TV shows. This has contributed to the development of 11 different iterations of Lex Luthor, all bringing new flavors and textures to the iconic supervillain who made his first DC Comics appearance in 1940’s Action Comics #23.
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While Superman represents hope and positivity, Lex Luthor stresses the superiority of human intelligence over superhuman powers and is the embodiment of the dangers of unlimited resources, money, and ambition. Everyone who has played Lex Luthor in live-action has brought these traits to the forefront, each making their iteration of the iconic villain terrifying in their own way. The character is one of DC’s most notable, and after new updates, it’s exciting to think about where Lex Luthor could go next.
11) Lyle Talbot in Atom Man vs. Superman (1950)
Lex Luthor made his live-action debut in 1950’s Atom Man vs. Superman, starring Kirk Alyn as Superman opposite Lyle Talbot’s Luthor. This version suited up as Atom Man – originally a Nazi villain in the Adventures of Superman radio show – whose name comes from a machine he designed that can reduce victims to their atoms, one of many devices created to plague Metropolis and defeat Superman. Talbot’s most notable role was as Joe Randolph in the 1950s sitcom, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, but he has an important place in DC history the first live-action Lex Luthor, too.
10) Gene Hackman in Superman (1978), Superman II (1981), and Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987)
Christopher Reeve’s Superman is widely regarded as the most notable iteration, and he found an opponent in Gene Hackman’s Lex Luthor. Richard Donner’s Superman from 1978 first introduced Hackman’s Luthor as a cartoonish and charismatic version of the villain. While this earned some criticism, Hackman’s Luthor was a master manipulator and a hugely influential villain that is still regarded as many viewers’ favorite interpretation. Known for roles in The French Connection, Western Unforgiven, Bonnie and Clyde, and more, Hackman brought his acclaim, notoriety, and talent to Lex Luthor in Superman and two of its sequels.
9) Scott James Wells & Sherman Howard in Superboy (1988-1992)
Lex Luthor’s first appearance in a live-action TV series occurred during the Superboy series, which ran for four seasons between 1988 and 1992. This series focused on the adventures of a young Clark Kent as Superboy, who came under the opposition of Scott James Wells’ Lex Luthor in season 1, and Sherman Howard’s recast version in subsequent seasons. This dark, sadistic, and frightening iteration of Luthor is widely regarded to be one of the strongest depictions of the villain. Without high-budget special effects, the evil of Luthor’s character needed to be the focus, and Howard delivered this perfectly in Superboy.
8) John Shea in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1993-1997)
Known for his roles in The Nativity, Coast to Coast, The Italian Key, and more, John Shea debuted as Lex Luthor in the 1990s series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. He appeared opposite Dean Cain’s Superman, and had a main role throughout the show’s first season, while he returned as a guest in seasons 2, 3, and 4. Many consider Shea’s Luthor to be severely underrated, as he delivered a charming, humanized, and theatrical performance to portray a sophisticated and established iteration of Luthor, though he dies multiple times through the series.
7) Michael Rosenbaum in Smallville (2001-2011)
Smallville reinvented the relationship between Clark Kent and Lex Luthor by having them be childhood friends before becoming archenemies. Michael Rosenbaum had fantastic chemistry with Tom Welling, who played Kent in the beloved DC series, and many consider Rosenbaum’s Luthor to be the best depiction. Rosenbaum has gone on to become a frequent collaborator with DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn, and even had a brief cameo role in 2025’s Superman, but his complex, heart-breaking, and relatable portrayal of Lex Luthor in Smallville is remembered as his most notable role to date.
6) Kevin Spacey in Superman Returns (2006)
Since he had often been cast in villain roles, it wasn’t surprising to see Kevin Spacey take on the role of Lex Luthor opposite Brandon Routh’s Superman in 2006’s Superman Returns. While recent controversies may have soured this role, Spacey actually delivered a strong performance as Luthor. This version wanted to use Kryptonian technology to build a landmass in the Atlantic Ocean that he could claim as his own, but this campy and cartoonish story didn’t detract from Spacey’s captivating and charismatic performance as the sinister villain, though he’s seldom considered the best.
5) Jesse Eisenberg in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016), Justice League (2017), and Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021)
Emblematic of the DC Extended Universe as a whole, Jesse Eisenberg’s Lex Luthor is widely regarded to be one of the worst interpretations brought to screen. Eisenberg’s young tech CEO had a crucial role in pitting Henry Cavill’s Superman and Ben Affleck’s Batman against each other in 2016’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, and then had brief appearances in Justice League and Zack Snyder’s Director’s Cut. While Eisenberg has been celebrated for A Real Pain, Now You See Me, Zombieland, and more, Lex Luthor marked a low point in his career and in the villain’s own live-action history.
4) Jon Cryer and Aidan Fink in the Arrowverse (2019-2021)
After appearing as Lex Luthor’s nephew, Lenny, in 1987’s Superman IV: The Quest for Peace, Jon Cryer went on to portray Lex Luthor himself in The CW’s Arrowverse shows. Primarily appearing in the Supergirl series opposite Melissa Benoist’s Kara Zor-El, Cryer crossed over into Batwoman, The Flash, Arrow, and Legends of Tomorrow during 2019’s Crisis on Infinite Earths event. Aidan Fink played Cryer’s Lex Luthor as a child in Supergirl, with both highlighting the character’s menace, manipulation, cunning, and megalomania, staying fairly true to the DC Comics source material, which was a breath of fresh air for the villain.
3) Titus Welliver and Payne Novak in Titans (2022)
Titus Welliver only appeared as Lex Luthor in one episode of the HBO Max Titans series, but delivered a memorable performance as the bearded antagonist, appearing alongside Payne Novak, who played Luthor as a child. Welliver appeared in Titans season 4’s premiere, “Lex Luthor,” and established Luthor and Clark Kent as childhood friends, similarly to Smallville. Welliver’s thoughtful and sensitive approach to the villain highlighted his undertones of evil without being so on-the-nose, allowing the villain to become one of the show’s most memorable characters, despite his incredibly brief role.
2) Michael Cudlitz in Superman & Lois (2023-2024)
The recent Superman & Lois series received praise for delivering a grounded and more relatable and raw approach to Superman, and this was reflected in Michael Cudlitz’s portrayal of Lex Luthor. Best known for appearing in Band of Brothers and The Walking Dead, Cudlitz brought a gravitas, seriousness, ruthlessness, and intimidating persona to Lex Luthor opposite Tyler Hoechlin’s Superman and Elizabeth Tulloch’s Lois Lane. Some criticized his lack of genius and unorthodox characterization, but others were glad to see new ground being broken for the age-old character.
1) Nicholas Hoult in Superman (2025)
2025’s Superman introduced Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, and his portrayal has quickly become one of the most celebrated and beloved versions yet. Hoult delivers pure evil and unashamed terror as Luthor, killing without mercy or remorse, not caring about a dimensional rift splitting Metropolis apart, and keeping many individuals imprisoned in his pocket dimension. This Luthor only cares about bringing Superman to his knees and belittling the world’s Metahumans, and will go to extreme lengths to make this happen. Hoult has been confirmed to be returning to the role in 2027’s Man of Tomorrow movie, which will develop this instantly-iconic version of Lex Luthor even further.
Which actors plays your favorite version of Lex Luthor in live-action? Let us know in the comments!
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