Editing Christopher Reeve (section)

===Early work===
In 1974, Reeve auditioned for the soap opera ''[[Love of Life]]'' to pay tuition fees at Juilliard. Initially, he was promised a schedule that would not interfere with his studies. However, his character quickly gained popularity, leading to increased screen time. When Reeve reminded the producers of their agreement, they responded that it wasn't set in writing. The following year, Reeve had to leave Juilliard to fulfill his contract with [[CBS]].<ref>Reeve, Christopher (1998), pp. 174–177</ref> He received an honorary [[Doctor of Fine Arts]] degree from Juilliard in 1997.<ref>{{cite web |date=May 24, 1997 |title=Trust Audiences, Christopher Reeve Tells Juilliard Graduates |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/24/nyregion/trust-audiences-christopher-reeve-tells-juilliard-graduates.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230119004118/https://www.nytimes.com/1997/05/24/nyregion/trust-audiences-christopher-reeve-tells-juilliard-graduates.html |archive-date=January 19, 2023 |access-date=November 25, 2024 |website=The New York Times}}</ref>

In between filming for the soap opera, Reeve took acting classes at the [[HB Studio]] and appeared in an [[Off-off-Broadway]] production of ''Berchtesgaden'' at the [[Theater for the New City]]. The play was directed by [[Barbara Loden]], who became Reeve's mentor. She coached him not to play "on the nose", and he often followed that advice over the years. After that, he starred in a limited run of ''[[Berkeley Square (play)|Berkeley Square]]'' at the [[Manhattan Theatre Club]].<ref>Reeve, Christopher (1998), pp. 177–179</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Sullivan |first=Marisa |date=February 4, 2024 |title=Inside Christopher Reeve's Early Days as a Theater Actor in N.Y.C.: He 'Definitely' Had Star Power (Exclusive) |url=https://people.com/christopher-reeve-early-days-as-theater-actor-in-nyc-exclusive-8557214 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240502184907/https://people.com/christopher-reeve-early-days-as-theater-actor-in-nyc-exclusive-8557214 |archive-date=May 2, 2024 |access-date=January 4, 2025 |website=People}}</ref>

In late 1975, Reeve auditioned for the [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] play ''[[A Matter of Gravity]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=A Matter of Gravity |url=https://playbill.com/production/a-matter-of-gravity-broadhurst-theatre-vault-0000002026#carousel-cell137295 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240722171735/https://playbill.com/production/a-matter-of-gravity-broadhurst-theatre-vault-0000002026#carousel-cell137295 |archive-date=July 22, 2024 |access-date=January 5, 2025 |website=Playbill}}</ref> [[Katharine Hepburn]] watched his audition and cast him as her character's grandson. With Hepburn's influence over CBS, Reeve worked out the schedules of the soap opera and the play so he would be able to do both. Because of his busy schedule, he ate candy bars and drank coffee in place of meals and experienced exhaustion and [[malnutrition]]. At one of the performances, Reeve entered the stage, said his first line, and then promptly fainted. Hepburn turned to the audience and said, "This boy's a goddamn fool. He doesn't eat enough red meat." The [[understudy]] finished the play for Reeve, and a doctor treated him. The doctor advised Reeve to eat a healthier diet. He stayed with the play for nine months and was given favorable reviews.<ref>Reeve, Christopher (1998), pp. 179–185</ref>

Reeve and Hepburn became very close. Some gossip columns rumored a romance between the two. Reeve said, "She was 67 and I was 22, but I thought that was quite an honor.&nbsp;... I believe I was fairly close to what a child or grandchild might have been to her." She told him, "You're going to be a big star, Christopher, and support me in my old age." He replied, "I can't wait {{em|that}} long." Reeve said his father, who was a professor of literature and came to many of the performances, was the man who most captivated Hepburn. When the play moved to Los Angeles in June 1976, Reeve—to Hepburn's disappointment—dropped out. They stayed in touch for years after the play's run. Reeve later regretted not staying closer and just sending messages back and forth.<ref>Reeve, Christopher (1998), pp. 182–186</ref>

Reeve's first role in a Hollywood film was a small part as a junior officer in the 1978 naval submarine disaster movie ''[[Gray Lady Down]]'', starring [[Charlton Heston]]. He then acted in the play ''My Life'' at the [[Circle Repertory Company]] with friend [[William Hurt]].<ref>Reeve, Christopher (1998), pp. 187–188</ref>