Rocketed away from a dying planet as an infant, baby Kal-El landed in a rural town in Kansas. He was found by the Kents, a loving couple who raised him as their own son. They named him Clark, but the world would come to know him as Superman.

But did you know that the Kents weren't always named Jonathan and Martha, and that in the original version of the Superman legend, they died before they ever got to see their son don the tights and cape?

In this installment of "The Many Faces of...", we'll take a look at how Clark's adoptive parents have evolved throughout the years, and which actors have played them on the screen.

When the Kents first appeared in Action Comics #1 in 1938, Superman creators Jerry Seigel and Joe Shuster didn't give them first names. It wasn't until George Lowther wrote a Superman novel in 1942 that they received their original names, Eben and Sarah Kent. The novel also established that Clark's first name came from Sarah's maiden name.

By the time Clark's parents made their live action debut in the 1948 "Superman" serial starring Kirk Alyn, their names had already changed... Mrs. Kent had become Martha, as we know her today, but Mr. Kent was now called Ethan. Ethan was played by Ed Cassidy, and Virginia Carroll played Martha.

When the George Reeves "Adventures of Superman" series came around in the 1950's, the names from the Lowther novel were used. Appearing only in the pilot episode, Eben and Sarah were played by Tom Fadden and Frances Morris. This is the only version to use the names from the novel.

By the time the Superman legend hit the big screen in 1978 with the first of the Christopher Reeve films, the name game had ended, and the Kents had officially become Jonathan and Martha. Here, they were played by Glenn Ford and Phyllis Thaxter, respectively. They only appear in the first of the four films. Jonathan dies of a heart attack while Clark is still a teenager, which prompts him to leave Smallville. Though Martha is still alive when Clark leaves, we do not see her again, and it is established by the fourth film that she has also passed away.

When the Ruby Spears animated series came on the scene 1988, Alan Oppenheimer and Tress MacNeille gave voice to Clark's parents. MacNeille is well known to the voice acting community, having done the voice of Babs on "Tiny Toons," Dot on "Animaniacs," and Charlotte on "Rugrats," to name a few. Fans may best remember Oppenheimer as the voice of Skeletor on the original "Masters of the Universe" series.

The "Superboy" TV series hit the airwaves that same year. This time out, Stuart Whitman took on the role of Jonathan, and Salome Jens played Martha. Jens went on to recurring roles on "Melrose Place" and "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," and Whitman made appearances on "Walker, Texas Ranger" and "The Adventures of Brisco County Jr."

When "Lois & Clark" premiered in 1993, it marked a real milestone for the characters of Jonathan and Martha, as it was the first time that a Superman series featured Clark's parents as regular members of the cast. Eddie Jones and K Callan played the roles for all four seasons of the show. More recently, Jones appeared in "Seabiscuit," costarring with another actor who is no stranger to red and blue tights and saving people, "Spider-Man" star Tobey Maguire. K Callan has made appearances on "CSI," "JAG," and the HBO series "Carnivale."

The next incarnation was "Superman: The Animated Series" on Kids WB. This time out, real life husband and wife Mike Farrell and Shelley Fabares lent their voices to Jonathan and Martha. They recently reprised their roles in a Christmas-themed episode of "The Justice League," where Clark brings fellow Leaguer J'onn J'onzz to Smallville to spend the holidays with him and his family.

When Smallville officially debuted in October of 2001, John Schneider and Annette O'Tootle were cast as Clark's parents. However, in the original, unaired pilot for the series, Martha was played by another actress, Cynthia Ettinger. The role was recast before the pilot aired, and all the Martha Kent scenes were reshot with Annette. Ettinger also went on to star in "Carnivale," making two former "Martha Kents" to appear on that series.

This, of course, is Annette O'Toole's second appearance in the "Many Faces Of..." series, as she also played Lana Lang in "Superman III"! Among Ms. O'Toole's other credits are roles on "Nash Bridges" and "Law & Order," as well as a lead role in the movie "Temptation."

John Schneider is arguably best known for his role as Bo Duke on "The Dukes of Hazzard," though he's also appeared on shows like "Touched by an Angel," "Diagnosis Murder" and "Veronica's Closet." Most recently, he was in the two-part TV movie "10.5," about a devastating earthquake. In addition to playing Jonathan Kent, John Schneider adds another feather to his cap with the May 5th episode of Smallville, "Talisman," which he also directs.

Clearly, the role of the Kents has evolved since they first appeared, in more ways than just their names. Though it was initially the death of his parents that caused Clark to leave Smallville behind, modern retellings of the legend have kept the Kents alive, and even made them central characters. This allows them to continue to give their son the advice and guidance that he needs to keep fighting the never-ending battle for truth and justice, and, if he has a bad day, he can always fly home for some of Martha's apple pie. The values that his adoptive parents instilled in him are what make him a true hero, not the heat vision or super speed. The Kents are an integral part of who Superman is, and that much hasn't changed.

(Special thanks to John Field of www.capedwonder.com/GeorgeReevesisSuperman.htm for his help!)

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