Born on October 9, 1979, in Des Moines, Iowa, he grew up in nearby Norwalk. Initially studying at the University of Iowa, he pursued a modeling and acting career, moving to Los Angeles. He gained fame portraying the iconic superhero in "Superman Returns" (2006). His charisma and striking resemblance to the comic book character earned him critical acclaim. Beyond Superman, he starred in films like "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World" and had a significant role in the TV series "Legends of Tomorrow."