The CW Source

Happy birthday to John Glover, the man behind the late, lamented Lionel Luthor. John is 64 today -- and he still looks pretty darn good, don’t you think?

When we last saw Lionel Luthor, he was plummeting to his death after being shoved out the window by his evil (yet equally compelling) son Lex. Oh, Lionel -- we’ll miss your charismatically evil ways!

John has often been called upon to play villains, thanks in part, we imagine, to his imposing height, his charisma, and his skill at oozing contempt when necessary. We have a feeling he got the part of Lionel at least partially because he had such a gorgeous, luxuriant head of hair -- all the better to contrast with Lex!

John got his first movie role in 1973, and he’s worked steadily ever since. He’s appeared in everything from Shakespeare to Fraiser to Miami Vice, and even lent his voice to an Animaniacs episode. Plus, he’s had roles as villains in three properties based on DC comic books -- in addition to playing Lionel Luthor, he also appeared as the Riddler in Batman in 1992, and as Dr. Jason Woodrue in Batman & Robin in 1997. How’s that for range?

At the same time, he’s kept up a flourishing stage career -- John won a Best Featured Actor Tony for his role in Love! Valor! Compassion in 1995, and recently won raves for his role as the narrator in the Broadway musical The Drowsy Chaperone.

In his spare time (although we can’t imagine when he’d have any spare time), John is active in the Alzheimer’s Association, which he got involved with after his own father’s experience with the disease.

We hope John has a very happy birthday this year. Leave your birthday wishes for him in the comments!