Margot Kidder, The Iconic Lois Lane, Has Died

HOLLYWOOD, CA — Margot Kidder, the actress as famous for her iconic portrayal of Lois Lane as she was for her public battle with mental illness, has died. She was 69-years-old.

Kidder died at her home in in Montana, a spokesperson at Franzen-Davis Funeral Home in Livingston, MT told TMZ. The cause of her death has not been made public.

Kidder starred in "Superman" and its three sequels with Christopher Reeve in 1978. As her fame rose, her battles with bipolar disorder became tabloid fodder. The stigma of mental illness took a toll on her career, rendering her homeless in 1996 when she was found living on the streets of Los Angeles following a manic episode. Kidder would go on to become an advocate for the mentally ill while rebuilding her career, performing in TV roles and on Broadway in "The Vagina Monologues."

Over the years, she starred in Pygmalion with Peter O'Toole, and opposite Robert Redford in "The Great Waldo Pepper." She once portrayed siamese twins in Brian DePalma's "Sisters." But the Canadian-born actress will always be remembered for her role in "Superman." Though the ultimate damsel in distress, Kidder managed to play Lois Lane as gritty, worldly, and fearless, to Clark Kent's wholesome farm-boy persona.

Just like Lois Lane had the strength and spirit to rescue Superman from time to time, Kidder, turned her own vulnerability into power. With her career in ruins after a string of embarrassing headlines about erratic behavior, Kidder was famously found wandering the streets of Los Angeles, living in the bushes. Diagnosed with bipolar disorder, she used her fame to advocate for others struggling with mental illness. Her crusade to eradicate the stigma of mental illness continued until her death.

As her career resurrected Kidder continued to gravitate to complex roles, often portraying troubled women. She became active in progressive and environmental causes, supporting Bernie Sanders' presidential run.

Kidder was also famed for her relationships with equally famous men. She was married three times, including a turbulent six-day marriage to actor John Heard. Her first marriage was to novelist Thomas McGuane. her third marriage was to director Philippe de Broca. According to various reports, she once De Palma, Steven Spielberg, and comedian Richard Pryor.

She is survived by her daughter Maggie McGuane and two grandchildren.

Fans and colleagues, alike, shared their grief and admiration on social media Monday:

THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY. PLEASE REFRESH THE SCREEN FOR UPDATES.

Photo: Actress Margot Kidder arrives at the premiere of Dimension Films' 'Halloween II' held at Grauman's Chinese Theater on August 24, 2009 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)