Will Reeve Reflects on Childhood Memories With Christopher and Dana Reeve: Plus, How He's Keeping His Late Parents' Legacy Alive

24-year-old will run the New York City Marathon in honor of the late actor

By McKenna Aiello Nov 03, 2016 7:15 PMTags
Watch: Will Reeve Talks Family's Legacy and Charity Work

Christopher and Dana Reeve's spirit lives on through their son. 

Will Reeve, 24, recently sat down with E! News ahead of Sunday's New York City Marathon, which he will run to support his late parents' organization dedicated to curing spinal cord injury. 

"Knowing that my dad and my mom together as couple inspired millions of people is so touching to me, because I saw them, first and foremost, as mom and dad," Will tells us, later adding, "They just did what they had to do as parents, as husband and wife and as citizens of the world. It just so happened that because they were such incredible people, the work that they did and the life that they lived in a public-facing way touched others."

After a tragic equestrian accident left the Superman movie star paralyzed, Christopher became one of the disabled community's most outspoken voices. In 2004, Reeve passed away at the age of 52, and less than two years later, Dana died battling lung cancer. Will, the youngest of the three Reeve children, was barely a teenager at the time. 

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ESPN, Nancy Kaszerman/ZUMApress.com

Since then, Will has dedicated much of his life's work to preserving his parents' legacy through their foundation, a decision he says is inspired by the lasting memories of Christopher and Dana. 

"Everything that my parents did inspired me. I don't think I knew it at the time, but upon reflecting on my childhood, I certainly look back and can think of specific moments that mean so much to me now," the ESPN broadcaster recalls. 

Take, for example, the "sacrifice" Christopher made to open presents with his family on Christmas morning, or Dana balancing the art of a "working mom, a wife and primary character to my dad." Will adds, "My dad taught me how to ride a bike just by telling me how to do it. The power of that connection sticks with me as an inspirational thing today."

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Will says he feels a responsibility to his parents, as well as their supporters, to continue the work they started.

"My parents' legacy is hugely important to me because they meant so much to the world on the whole, but they also meant so much to me personally and to my family. We don't want anything they did or what they stood for to fade off because their work was important," he explains.

For more of our interview with Will, including what it's like to interact with his parents' fans, watch the video above! And to support Will in his journey to the finish line, visit give.reeve.org/willreeve.