Marlon Brando played Superman's father for 12 days and under 20 minutes on screen. He took $3.7 million upfront plus 11.75% of the gross - a cut the producer later estimated at roughly $19 million total. Christopher Reeve, who played Superman in every scene, earned $250,000. Brando never learned a single line. He read them off cue cards - including words written on the baby's diaper.
