Noel Neill, the first actress to play a live-action Lois Lane, has passed away at the age of 95.

The news was confirmed by Neill's close friend and biographer Larry Ward via a Facebook post in a Superman actors' fan group.

"It is with great sadness that I report the passing of my very close friend, actress Noel Neill, the original 'live action' Lois Lane from Superman," Ward wrote.

"Noel passed away yesterday at her home in Tucson, Arizona after a long illness. She was 95."

Jim Nolt/Larry Ward Facebook

Neill played Lois opposite film's first Superman Kirk Alyn in the serials Superman (1948) and Atom Man vs. Superman (1950) and reprised her role in the 1950s television series Adventures of Superman opposite George Reeves.

"Her work in the iconic 1950s television series, The Adventures of Superman with the late George Reeves, however, best defined and cemented her legacy as 'the intrepid reporter'," Ward continued.

"It was a role she believed she was born to play. And as she would admit in interviews later in life, she simply played herself."

Neill went on to also work with Christopher Reeve in the 1978 film Superman, the 1980s Superboy series with Gerard Christopher and also featured in Brandon Routh's 2006 feature film Superman Returns.

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Ward added: "She was kind, selfless, hardworking, funny with a quick wit, and assertive - all the same qualities that embodied the character of Lois Lane. Noel truly was Lois Lane, and for many of us, she was the first working woman seen on television.

"Few of her fans actually knew her real name, almost always simply calling her 'Lois' to which she would unfailing answer with a bright smile and a kind word. It was more than a role to her. 'Lois' was someone she believed in and a character she happily and warmly embraced."

A private funeral service will be held for the actress with a public memorial due to take place later this year.

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