TV’s First Lois Lane Passes Away

Phyllis Coates, who is best remembered as the first actress to play Ace Reporter Lois Lane on TV has passed away at age 96.

She played the part in SUPERMAN MEETS THE MOLEMEN (1951), the theatrically released feature film that preceded the first season of THE ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN (1952-1957), opposite George Reeves as the titular Man of Steel & his alter ego, Clark Kent. She only stayed one season – the part was taken over by Noel Niell, who’d played Lois Lane in the Kirk Allen SUPERMAN serials from Columbia – but most are in agreement that the first was by far the best season of the series. She starred in the serial, PANTHER GIRL OF THE KONGO (1955) & appeared in numerous b-movies & TV shows sporadically thru the ’50s & ’60s. Ms. Coates even played Lois Lane’s mother in the first season finale of LOIS & CLARK: THE NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN (1993-1997).

Ms. Coates was the last surviving regular cast member of THE ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN.