'Superman' actress Margot Kidder's death ruled a suicide

Cydney Henderson | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Remembering Margot Kidder, beyond Lois Lane Margot Kidder played Lois Lane opposite Christopher Reeve in the 'Superman' films of the late 70s and 80s, but she fought real demons off screen.

“Superman” actress Margot Kidder’s sudden death in May is being ruled a suicide.

The actress, who brought Lois Lane to life on the big screen opposite Christopher Reeve in the “Superman” movies, “died as a result of a self-inflicted drug and alcohol overdose," Park County coroner Richard Wood said in a statement Wednesday.

No other details were released.

News broke about Kidder’s death after a friend found her body in the actress’ Montana home on May 13. At the time, her manager, Camilla Fluxman Pines, confirmed to USA TODAY that Kidder “died peacefully in her sleep." She was 69.

Maggie McGuane, Kidder’s daughter with ex-husband Thomas McGuane, told the Associated Press that she instantly knew her mother died by suicide the moment she arrived at her home, in a small town near Yellowstone National Park.

Remembering Margot Kidder: The actress who played Lois Lane in 'Superman,' dies at age 69

McGuane called today’s announcement about her mother’s death freeing.

"It's a big relief that the truth is out there," she said. "It's important to be open and honest so there's not a cloud of shame in dealing with this."

Kidder's death is one of several high-profile suicides this year that include celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain and fashion designer Kate Spade.

Kidder battled mental illness much of her life.

She was aware that she suffered from constant mood swings from an early age, according to her diaries, and even tried to kill herself as early as age 14. Kidder would learn she suffered from bipolar disorder, a condition characterized by "up" and "down" phases in which the patient experiences periods of elation or mania, followed by bouts of severe depression.

The condition followed the Canadian native to Hollywood.

Kidder became a bonafide movie star alongside Reeves in four Superman movies between 1978 and 1987, with her role as perky reporter Lois Lane.

She has more than 130 movie credits to her name, including “Black Christmas,” “The Great Waldo Pepper” and “The Amityville Horror.”

In 1996, she had a much-publicized manic episode, which resulted with her living on the streets for several days. Kidder eventually was found "dirty, frightened and paranoid," hiding in the bushes of a suburban backyard in Glendale, California after a search was launched, according to police at the time. She was taken to a psychiatric hospital for observation.

"It's a very unique sort of grief and pain," Kidder’s only daughter McGuane said Wednesday. "Knowing how many families in this state go through this, I wish that I could reach out to each one of them."

Kidder later started advocating for mental health awareness. In 2007, she said she had not had a manic episode in 11 years, and credited her health to alternative medicine through nutritional supplements.

Despite her battles, Kidder continued working. In 2015, she earned a Daytime Emmy Award as outstanding performer in a kids' series for "R.L. Stine's the Haunting Hour."

She spent the last decades of her life living in Montana and engaging in political activism as a liberal Democrat, including protesting U.S. military action in Iraq.

Joan Kesich, a longtime friend who found Kidder's body, said the actress was fearless and always spoke the truth, regardless of the consequences.

"In her last months, she was herself — same kind of love, same kind of energy," Kesich said. "The challenges that she had were very public. I want what I know about her to be out there because it was glorious. She was really a blazing energy."

Friends and fans also said their goodbyes to Kidder:

"On-screen she was magic. Off-screen she was one of the kindest, sweetest, most caring woman I've ever known," "Star Wars'" Mark Hamill tweeted about Kidder. "Your legacy will live on forever."

On-screen she was magic.

Off-screen she was one of the kindest, sweetest, most caring woman I've ever known.

I'll miss you #MargoKidder.

Your legacy will live on forever. pic.twitter.com/UBlbszEIhb — Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) May 14, 2018

"Brady Bunch" star Maureen McCormick said, "I was such a fan of yours from the first moment I saw you on the screen as Lois Lane in Superman! I will treasure the moment that I met you forever! Sweet dreams Margot."

Rest In Peace Dear #MargotKidder ❤️ I was such a fan of yours from the first moment I saw you on the screen as Lois Lane in Superman! I will treasure the moment that I met you forever! Sweet dreams Margot🌤 — Maureen McCormick (@MoMcCormick7) May 14, 2018

"RIP Margot Kidder," said "Mortal Kombat" co-creator Ed Boon. "She will always be THE Lois Lane to me."

RIP Margot Kidder. She will always be THE Lois Lane to me. pic.twitter.com/wWJivXFKvZ — Ed Boon (@noobde) May 14, 2018

Contributing: The Associated Press and Maria Puente

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