More than 40 years after soaring onto cinema screens as Hollywood's first Supergirl, Helen Slater is reflecting on the role that launched her career. The actress, now 62, played Kara Zor-El in the 1984 film when she was just 18, becoming the first actress to portray Superman's cousin on the big screen.
Her reflections come as the franchise returns to cinemas with Milly Alcock stepping into the cape in the 2026 reboot. Days before the film's release, Helen delighted fans by sharing a rare selfie from outside Hollywood's TCL Chinese Theatre, showing her support for the new movie.
Looking back, Helen admitted she had little idea just how extraordinary it was to work alongside screen icons Faye Dunaway and Peter O'Toole. 'When you're young and innocent, you literally don't know what that… You should be terrified every second you're in Faye Dunaway or Peter O'Toole's presence,' she told People. 'I didn't have enough years to know to be super scared.'
Helen recalled Faye offering invaluable advice about being aware of how she was filmed, and Peter O'Toole giving a Shakespeare masterclass by directing her through a scene with a rose. 'He demonstrated the different ways I could hold a rose to make the moment more poetic,' she remembered. 'It was such a transmission masterclass of Shakespeare.'
While Helen has continued acting, her passions have evolved. She now holds a PhD in mythological studies and uses it to help writers and actors discover timeless stories behind their work. Since her portrayal, Melissa Benoist and Sasha Calle have also played Supergirl on screen.
