About
About Brandon
Full Name Brandon James RouthBirthday October 9, 1979
Birth Place Des Moines, Iowa, USA
Hometown Norwalk, Iowa
Height 6' 3"
Hair Color Dark Brown
Eye Color Brown
Tidbits
Last name rhymes with south.Dressed as Clark Kent for Halloween in 2003.Has three siblings: two sisters and one brother.Sister Sara podcasts The Monday Show.Attended the University of Iowa.Engaged to actress/producer Courtney Ford.Wears both glasses and contact lenses.OFFICIAL BIOGRAPHY
Although he had relatively few professional credits to his name, handsome and clean-cut actor Brandon Routh soared into the media limelight when he was cast as the Man of Steel in director Bryan Singer’s highly anticipated revival of the original superhero film franchise “Superman Returns” (lensed 2005).
Born Oct. 9, 1979, in Des Moines, Iowa and raised in nearby Norwalk (about 100 miles south of Woolstock, the hometown of TV’s original “Superman,” George Reeves), the strapping 6'3" actor-known to his friends and family and sometimes professionally credited as “B.J.”-was a high school athlete who swam and played soccer, as well as starring in several theatrical productions. He attended the University of Iowa for a year before heading to Hollywood in search of his big break.
Routh got his first major role on a 1999 episode of the short-lived ABC sitcom “Odd Man Out,” followed by a four-episode stint on the third season of MTV’s sexually charged nighttime soap “Undressed” in 2000. He also was featured in pop star Christina Aguilera’s heavily rotated “What a Girl Wants” video. Along with an appearance on “Gilmore Girls” in 2000, the actor earned steady work on the ABC daytime drama “One Life to Live,” originating the role of Seth Anderson from 2001-2002. His subsequent primetime credits include guest stints on the CBS crime drama “Cold Case,” the hit NBC sitcom “Will & Grace” and Fox’s brief-lived “Oliver Beene.”
Prior to Routh’s casting as Superman, Warner Bros had spent over a decade developing a plan to relaunch the franchise, with possible stars including Nicolas Cage and planned helmers including Tim Burton, Wolfgang Peterson, McG and Brett Ratner. Initially the studio reportedly considered a roster of name actors for the iconic role, including Josh Hartnett, Ashton Kutcher, Jude Law, Brendan Fraser, Jim Caviezel and “Smallville” star Tom Welling. But when Singer came aboard to direct the film, he insisted that a fresh face be cast in the part in the tradition of film’s most famous Man of Steel, Christopher Reeve.
Routh, then 25—who reportedly won a Hollywood Halloween costume contest in 2003 by dressing as Clark Kent with his shirt open to reveal the Superman “S” underneath—had previously auditioned for McG and was tapped by Singer after extensive casting calls in the U.S., Britain, Canada and Australia. Impressed by his resemblance to the comic book icon and finding the actor’s humble Midwestern roots a perfect fit for the hero’s all-American persona, Singer anointed Routh as the next screen Superman. Within hours of the October 2004 casting announcement Routh’s name filled an endless array of Internet pages devoted to discussing his worthiness for the role. For his part, the actor kept a low profile to help build anticipation for the film.
Thanks to PMK/HBH and Main Title for the official biography. Photo (c) Warner Bros.
About Iris (added July 3, 2006)
Born December 17, 1983 and raised in the California bay area, Iris is a life-long Superman and Classic Hollywood film fan. Her love of The Man of Steel can be traced back to television airings of the Christopher Reeve Superman films throughout her childhood. Looking back, Iris' most vivid memory of Superman comes from Superman III where he uses super-breath to freeze a small body of water that would be used to put out a factory fire. The power she would most like to have is the ability to fly. Her favorite director is Alfred Hitchcock and the film Doctor Zhivago holds a special place in her heart.Iris comes from an athletic and science-orientated family. Her father played tennis and works for a biotech firm while her mother ran track and holds a job at a major computer company. Iris grew up playing tennis (singles and doubles), basketball (power forward), and soccer (right midfield and goalie) for various junior high/high school and club leagues. Like most kids, she was forced to take piano lessons, but would have rather spent that time playing outside with neighborhood boys. She is not ashamed to say that she has no artistic talent whatsoever, but is impressed by people that do.
Iris is currently a super-senior (5th year) at the University of California, Davis studying mechanical engineering. Her major allows her to learn more about how electronics, cars, and airplanes function. Much of her time is spent online on her IBM Thinkpad T42 notebook- explaining how she responds to email with such speed. One of her greatest joys is spending hours upon hours playing pool in friendly pool halls while wearing a black Scorpion pool glove on her left hand. In fact, her dream splurges are an Olhausen pool table and, being a car aficionado, a late '90s Dodge Viper. After graduating, she hopes to apply her M.E. degree towards practical effects/technical design/technical consulting and the like in Hollywood's film industry. If anyone in the industry is hiring or has advice for her, please email her.
Superman Returns marks the first time Iris has seen Superman on the silver screen. She appreciates all the kind words she has received about this site, Brandon, and the film and extends a special "thank you" to BR.C visitors.
Frequently Asked Questions (updated August 28, 2006)1) Do I know Brandon personally?
I've only met him twice. I do not have direct contact with him. This site is unofficial. Neither Brandon nor his representatives have any official connection with br.c.
2) Have you met Brandon and/or Courtney Ford?
Twice: Briefly, at WonderCon in San Francisco on February 11, 2006 and Comic-Con in San Diego on July 22, 2006. In San Francisco, we exchanged short introductions- he complimented me on the site- before he had to fly back to LA to see his sister accept an award for Best Folk Artist. My photos can be seen in the gallery. Yes, I did meet his girlfriend and yes, she was nice; she was the one who introduced Brandon to me. As for San Diego, he was there to support Courtney's sci-fi short film which won best sci-fi/fantasty film. He made an announced appearance at the DC Comics booth where he signed autographs.
3) How can I write to Brandon?
His fan mail address can be found in the Contact section of the site. As of this writing, an address is in the process of being set-up.
4) How can I see his short film, Denial?
As far as I know, the only way to see Denial before it becomes available for purchase is to catch it at select film festival screenings. It will be screened next at the Palm Springs International Short Film Festival in August. For more information on Denial, visit our Denial page or its IMDb page.
5) How did BrandonRouth.com come about?
I was curious about who Brandon was when he was officially cast back in October 2004. All of the information I could find went up on a free internet hosting site. That site must have been making its rounds online because the next thing I know, Justin of BlueTights.net (web designer) contacted me asking if I would consider ditching the free site and join up with him and the domain owner to maintain the soon-to-be-launched BrandonRouth.com. I accepted the offer. The site launched on November 7, 2004 and has gone through 2 re-designs.
6) Is Brandon on MySpace? Does he have any official online presence?
Absolutely not. Brandon addressed this issue in an interview with the LA Times.
7) Is Brandon aware of the site? Does he read the forum?
Yes, he's aware. It's highly likely he reads the forum, so please be respectful.
8) Why even do a site on Brandon?
Good question. A little bit of background: I'm not a web designer/programmer. Before br.c, I had never even thought of creating a site on anything, let alone an actor. When I learned of his kind nature and the fact that he was going to be this generation's Superman, I felt that he needed a web presence acting in a professional and accurate manner. This is why you won't see me report on gossip or paparazzi photos.
9) What's Brandon's next role after Superman Returns?
Discounting the Superman sequels, I don't know, but I'm looking forward to it.
10) Are you a Superman fan?
Oh yes, big time. I'm also a big fan of pool (straight or 8-ball), cars, and electronics.
11) Is the real Brandon participating in the Q+A?
Yes, he is. He's being very gracious donating his time for this special event.
