Before anyone asked if Superman was a “bird or plane?” or “gay or straight?” they asked: “who is that guy anyway?” Christopher Reeve was the first actor to rise from near obscurity and don those famous blue tights. Newcomer Brandon Routh becomes the second. He opens the summer’s most anticipated movie with only a few die-hard “One Life to Live” fans in his corner.

Whereas other crusaders — think Batman and Spider-Man — have been played by one notable actor or cycled through various superstars, the man of steel has not. Perhaps Superman’s lack of a mask makes it difficult for well-known faces to become fully lost in the role. Perhaps the skin-tight outfit leaves too little to the imagination, and thus excludes actors with a “no codpiece clause” in their contracts. Perhaps too many superstars fear the considerable challenge of playing a hero whose alter-ego is differentiated only by nerdy glasses and some hair gel. Whatever the reason, the powers behind this summer’s “Superman Returns” concluded that star power might just get in the way.

Initial reviews for Brandon Routh have been positive. One critic even praised him for managing the part “effortlessly.” But will his career flourish? Let’s take a look at past unknowns, actors and actresses who rose from obscurity and went on to lead illustrious film careers, to see if they can provide us with a recipe for success:

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Lesson 1: Be hot (a la Catherine Zeta-Jones)
It’s hard to imagine that the world once did not know Catherine Zeta-Jones. But, before she lingerie-fenced Antonio Banderas in “The Mask of Zorro,” she had only appeared on TV, in small movie roles, and onstage in the UK. The Oscar on Catherine’s mantle may be a testament to her legitimate acting chops, but it would almost be rude to speak of her career and not mention her ridiculous smoking hotness.

The same goes for Salma Hayek who, after becoming fairly well-known in Mexico, took a few smaller roles in America films until she, like Jones, was cast as the romantic interest for Antonio Banderas in “Desperado.” Salma Hayek? Also hot.

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To round out the triumvirate of babes: Kate Beckinsale landed “Pearl Harbor” opposite Ben Affleck after a list of smaller film and TV roles. She then went on to star in such classics as “Serendipity,” “Underworld,” that Diet Coke commercial where she walked around the pool in a bikini, and now “Click.” Alright, so maybe I used the term ‘illustrious career’ broadly. All I’m saying is: the girl is getting paid.

What do all these people have in common? Incredible, smoking, freak-of-nature genetics-gone-wild hotness. In life, and especially in Hollywood, it never hurts to be ridiculously ridiculously good looking. I’m looking at you Brandon Routh — you tall vanilla shake with that cleft chin.

Lesson 2: Show range (a la Sylvester Stallone)
Once a generation there is an actor so gifted that he can inhabit any number of wildly different roles with incredible artistry. Sylvester Stallone is that actor. How else to explain his ability to transform himself from the polyamorous party host he played in soft core porn film “Party at Kitty and Stud’s” to the Rocky Balboa we know and love?

Slide show
Men of Steel
From comics to movies, the many incarnations of Superman.
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Were he to comment on his adult film career, I’m sure Sly would tell you: an unknown actor thrust into a major studio role must adapt quickly and incorporate what he’s learned from previous roles. This past experience may include TV, stage work, or — in Sly’s case — a 1970s blue movie with a script that included the phrase “love shank.” Successful unknowns, like Sylvester Stallone, thrived in part because he let go of his own conception of himself as “Stud,” and allowed himself to learn, grow, and become an entirely different kind of Italian Stallion. That, dear readers, is craft.

On a cautionary note: it should be said Henrietta Holm, who pioneered the role of “Kitty”, did not experience Stallone’s level of career growth. In fact, “Party at Kitty and Stud’s” may have been the alpha and omega of her film career. This goes to show you that even a great talent can stall out if she refuses to think outside the box and show a little (artistic) flexibility.

CONTINUED: Lessons 3: Be young (like Daniel Radcliffe)

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