5. There Have Only Been Three Live-Action Supergirls
Whether it's on the big or small screen, there have been almost countless live-action versions of Superman over the years. Supergirl on the other hand hasn't received anywhere near the same level of exposure. The first live-action Supergirl was of course Helen Slater. That 1984 movie was a critical and commercial flop, but that hasn't stopped it from becoming something of a cult classic in the years which have followed (Slater meanwhile has remained close to the DC Universe, guest starring in Smallville and playing Kara's adopted mother in the new TV series). Speaking of TV, it's there that the second Supergirl first showed up. While a young Adrianne Palicki - who would go on to play Wonder Woman in a failed pilot episode before later joining Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. - showed up in an early season of Smallville claiming to be Kara, the real deal was introduced when Laura Vandervoort took on the role in season seven. Unlike her cousin, she could fly and had a habit of wearing red and blue, but never donned her iconic costume. The latest Supergirl is of course Melissa Benoist, arguably the most well-received and comic book faithful version of the character to date.