Margot Kidder, known globally as Lois Lane from the iconic *Superman* films, led a life marked by fame, mental health struggles, and unconventional choices, including a desire for her body to be fed to wolves.
From Small Roles to Super Stardom
Born Margaret Ruth Kidder, her acting journey began with low-budget Canadian films. She gained early recognition with roles in cult classics like *Sisters* (1972) and *Black Christmas* (1974).
At 30, Kidder landed the career-defining role of Lois Lane opposite Christopher Reeve in Richard Donner’s 1978 *Superman*. This role propelled her to international fame, but the intense public spotlight brought its own challenges.
The Hidden Battle with Mental Health
Despite her rising star, Kidder privately struggled with undiagnosed bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. She later revealed that she never truly desired the intense public scrutiny that came with fame.
“I had to hide the manic depression, for one thing. I just felt inadequate for the job,” she admitted in 1997. Her discomfort with public life and the pressure to maintain a “phony face” caused her immense anxiety.
Hollywood’s Unfiltered Scene
Kidder’s Malibu beach house was famous for hosting gatherings attended by Hollywood’s elite, including directors Brian De Palma, Martin Scorsese, and Steven Spielberg, and actors like Susan Sarandon. These “shindigs” were chronicled in Peter Biskind’s book, *Easy Riders, Raging Bulls*.
However, Kidder felt the book sensationalized her era. She saw the 1960s as a “sweet” and “innocent time,” where she and her peers genuinely believed they could change the world, despite the “drugs and sex” often associated with it.
A Public Breakdown and Recovery
In 1990, a severe car accident left Kidder temporarily paralyzed and triggered a very public mental health crisis. Her undiagnosed bipolar disorder manifested, leading to a harrowing period where she experienced homelessness in Los Angeles.
After disappearing for days, she was found disoriented in a stranger’s garden, famously stating, “I may not look like it, but I’m Margot Kidder.” This incident brought her struggles to light, shifting public perception from tabloid mockery to concern and understanding for her need for help.
A year later, Kidder bravely spoke out about her mental illness, hoping her honesty would help others. She became a vocal advocate and activist in the late 1990s and early 2000s, championing various causes and even sheltering homeless individuals in her home.
An Unconventional Life and Last Wishes
Kidder’s personal life was as unconventional as her public one. She was linked to director Brian De Palma and actor Richard Pryor, and reportedly had an affair with former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, father of Justin Trudeau. She married three times, though none of the unions lasted.
She once planned a memoir titled *I Slept With Everyone On Television*, a provocative title chosen for its market appeal, though the book never materialized.
Perhaps most strikingly, Kidder expressed a profound desire for her body after death. Her friend Ted Geoghegan revealed that she wished to be taken into the Montana woods and left for the wolves, whom she affectionately called her “other friends.” This unique request reflected her deep connection to nature and a life lived on her own terms.
- Margot Kidder, famous as Lois Lane, struggled with undiagnosed bipolar disorder and schizophrenia.
- A 1990 accident led to a public mental health crisis and a period of homelessness.
- She became a mental health advocate, openly discussing her experiences to help others.
- Kidder had unconventional relationships and a unique wish for her body to be fed to wolves after death.
Margot Kidder’s life was a testament to resilience, marked by both the highs of Hollywood stardom and the lows of profound personal battles. She was brutally honest about her journey, leaving behind a legacy of authenticity and advocacy.
