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{{Short description|Fictional character from Smallville}}
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{{Infobox character
| name = Lionel Luthor
| series = [[Smallville]]
| image = Smallville lluthor.jpg
| caption = [[John Glover (actor)|John Glover]] as Lionel Luthor
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| last_minor = [[Finale (Smallville)|Finale]]
| last_date = May 13, 2011
| creator
| portrayer
| relatives
}}
'''Lionel Luthor''' is a fictional character portrayed by [[John Glover (actor)|John Glover]] in the television series ''[[Smallville]]''. The character was initially a special guest in [[Smallville (season 1)|season one]], and became a series regular in [[Smallville (season 2)|season two]] and continued until being written out of the show in [[Smallville (season 7)|season seven]]. The character returned to the show in [[Smallville (season 10)|season ten]] again in a special guest role as a parallel universe (Earth-2) version of the character. In ''Smallville'', Lionel Luthor is the father of [[Lex Luthor (Smallville)|Lex Luthor]] ([[Michael Rosenbaum]]), and founder and [[CEO]] of [[LuthorCorp]]. [[Lex Luthor]]'s father was first introduced in ''[[Superman]]'' comics by [[Jerry Siegel]] in 1961 and has since appeared in other Superman-related media under different names. ''Smallville'' is the first appearance in which the character has been an intricate part of a Superman adaptation. Series developers [[Alfred Gough]] and [[Miles Millar]] created Lionel Luthor for ''Smallville'' to provide an antithesis to the parenting style of [[Characters of Smallville#Jonathan Kent|Jonathan Kent]] ([[John Schneider (screen actor)|John Schneider]]) and [[Characters of Smallville#Martha Kent|Martha Kent]] ([[Annette O'Toole]]). In the [[DC Comics]], Lex Luthor's father was originally named Jules Luthor, but later was renamed Lionel Luthor some time after ''Smallville''. He debuted in ''[[Superman's Girlfriend, Lois Lane]]'' #23 (February 1961) and was created by Jerry Siegel and Kurt Schaffenberger.
During the story of ''Smallville'', Lionel evolves from being a nemesis of [[Clark Kent (Smallville)|Clark Kent]] ([[Tom Welling]]) who develops multiple schemes to uncover Clark's secrets, to becoming an ally who eventually dies to protect Clark's secret from his own son. Lionel has a strained relationship with Lex and regularly tries to test him. He attempts to develop a romantic relationship with Martha Kent following the death of Jonathan Kent, helping her advance toward the [[United States Senate]]. A parallel universe version of the character is later introduced in the show's final season, who serves as Clark and his allies' adversary and plays a pivotal role in bringing Lex back from his presumed death.
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==Role in ''Smallville''==
In 1989, Lionel visits Smallville to buy the [[Pete Ross|Ross Creamed Corn company]] immediately before a meteor shower occurs. Twelve years later during [[Smallville (season 1)|season one]], Lionel exiles his son Lex Luthor (Michael Rosenbaum) to Smallville to run [[LuthorCorp]]'s local fertilizer plant as a test.<ref name="Pilot ep">{{cite episode|title=Pilot|series=Smallville|credits=[[Alfred Gough]], [[Miles Millar]] (writers) & [[David Nutter]] (director)|network=The WB|airdate=October 16, 2001|season=1|number=1|minutes=42}}</ref> When Lex makes a profit for the first time in years, Lionel closes the plant and blames Lex's poor managerial skills. Lionel later confronts his son at the Luthor mansion when Lex tries to orchestrate an
Lionel is sentenced to prison for his parents' murder in [[Smallville (season 4)|season four]].<ref name="Gone">{{cite episode|title=Gone|series=Smallville|credits=Kelly Souders, Brian Peterson (writers) & Greg Beeman (director)|network=[[The WB Television Network|The WB]]|airdate=September 29, 2004|season=4|number=2}}</ref> Lionel attempts to switch bodies with Lex using a stone from Clark's homeworld of [[Krypton (comics)|Krypton]] but Clark intervenes and Lionel switches bodies with Clark instead. When he and Clark switch back, Lionel discovers his terminal liver disease is healed.<ref name="Transference ep">{{cite episode|title=Transference|series=Smallville|credits=Todd Slavkin, Darren Swimmer (writers) & James Marshall (director)|network=The WB|airdate=October 27, 2004|season=4|number=6}}</ref> Lionel is released from prison by Genevieve Teague ([[Jane Seymour (actress)|Jane Seymour]]), and begins searching for three stones of knowledge. During this quest, Lionel falls into a catatonic state after being uploaded with [[Kryptonian]] knowledge.<ref>{{cite episode|title=Commencement|series=Smallville|credits=Todd Slavkin, Darren Swimmer (writers) & Greg Beeman (director)|network=The WB|airdate=May 18, 2005|season=4|number=22}}</ref> Lionel recovers in [[Smallville (season 5)|season five]] when the Kryptonian [[artificial intelligence]] [[Jor-El]] takes over his body to speak with Clark.<ref>{{cite episode|title=Hidden|series=Smallville|credits=Kelly Souders, Brian Peterson (writers) & Whitney Ransick (director)|network=The WB|airdate=October 13, 2005|season=5|number=3}}</ref> With Jor-El guiding him, Lionel begins helping Clark by making excuses for Clark's behavior and unexplained disappearances throughout seasons five and [[Smallville (season 6)|six]].<ref name="Mercy ep">{{cite episode|title=Mercy|series=Smallville|credits=Steven S. DeKnight (writer) & James Marshall (director)|network=The WB|airdate=April 20, 2006|season=5|number=19}}</ref> [[Smallville (season 7)|Season seven]] revealed that Lionel and three other wealthy families formed the secret society Veritas to protect an alien visitor known as the Traveler (Clark).
Season ten featured an alternate doppelgänger of the character when Clark unintentionally visits
==Portrayal==
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===Relationships===
The relationship between Lionel and his son Lex is strained; it has been likened to the relationship between [[Norman Osborn|Norman]] and [[Harry Osborn]] in the ''[[Spider-Man (2002 film)|Spider-Man]]''
{{Quote box|width=35em|
|quote= What I was working on, and continue to work on, is to see him strengthen Lex. Lionel doesn't seem to be a man who wants his son to be afraid, so he's gone out of his way to give him tests, so he can prove himself. That's what locking him inside the plant in "Jitters" was all about. Lionel makes the decision to close the gate. It's a tough decision, but he knows that if Lex survives, he will be a stronger person. No risk, no reward.
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}}
Glover believes Lionel has two competing agendas with Lex—for Lex to become his own man and for Lex to follow in his father's steps. This becomes frustrating for Lex because Lionel wants his son to be both "loyal follower" and the "best person he can be". This all plays into Lionel's "pretty huge ego".<ref name="JG3"/> John Glover believes if Lionel and Lex were not related Lionel would have "destroyed" Lex early on because he views his son as "weak". Lionel is also bound by the fact that Lex is his heir, although he does not trust Lex. Lionel's distrust of Lex partially arises because he believes Lex is a coward. John Glover said
Lionel also has a key relationship with Martha Kent, Clark Kent's adoptive mother. This relationship first develops in season two when Lionel hires Martha to be his assistant;<ref name="JG2"/> it is further developed in season five.<ref name="AT5"/> Glover felt Lionel's attraction to Martha grows in season five when Jonathan Kent dies because he now sees Martha as a single woman and is now more attainable; Glover believes Lionel was seeking to attain Martha's "goodness" and the attraction is not based on lust. When Lionel is in Martha's company he tries to present himself as a man she could be with; he consciously attempts to change years of selfish behavior. Writer Holly Harold said his relationship with Martha parallels Lex's relationship with Lana; both men believe these two women will be their saving grace and pull them back from the dark side.<ref name="JG5"/> Annette O'Toole said Martha's interest in Lionel is like watching a dangerous animal
Glover believes Martha influenced Lionel to start believing that sacrifice is necessary to make the world a better place. When she leaves at the end of season six, Lionel no longer has that influence. He is constantly battling the dark and light sides of his personality. According to series writer Caroline Dries, the audience never really know his motivations because of this balancing act. Dries said this is embodied when he threatens Lana into marrying Lex, later revealing it was to protect Clark.<ref name="JG6"/> Glover describes his off-screen relationship with Annette O'Toole the reason Martha and Lionel have such good chemistry. Glover said that when Martha and Lionel are talking to each other it feels as though he and O'Toole are sharing a conversation, and that trust is visualized on the camera.<ref name="JG5">Byrne, Craig, (Season 5 Companion) pp. 136-139</ref>
===Reception===
For his portrayal of Lionel Luthor on ''Smallville'', John Glover was nominated for two [[Saturn Awards]] in the category of [[Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor on Television|Best Supporting Actor in a Television Series]]. The first came in 2003, following his upgrade to series regular status, and the second in 2004.<ref>{{cite news|first=Eric |last=Moro |url=http://www.mania.com/37873.html |title=2003 Saturn Awards |publisher=Mania.com |date=March 5, 2003 |access-date=September 12, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012045615/http://www.mania.com/37873.html |archive-date=October 12, 2007
==''Smallville'' tie-ins==
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===Comics===
In the television series' comic book continuation written by the show's writer [[Bryan Q. Miller]], it is revealed that Lionel had tried to recruit [[Batman|Bruce Wayne]]'s father [[Thomas Wayne]] into the secret society Veritas with Virgil Swann, months prior to Wayne and his wife's mugging and murder by [[Joe Chill]].<ref>''Smallville Season Eleven: Detective''</ref>
==In
===Film===
* Before ''Smallville'', Lex's father either made brief appearances in the ''Superman'' comics or was mentioned. Lex's father first appears in ''[[Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane]]'' #23 (1961), in the story "The Curse of Lena Thorul!", written by Superman co-creator [[Jerry Siegel]]. In this story, he is named '''Jules''', has disowned his criminal son Lex, and changed the family name to "Thorul". Jules Thorul and his wife Arlene are later killed in a car accident.<ref>{{Cite comic|writer=[[Jerry Siegel]]|artist=[[Kurt Schaffenberger]]|story=The Curse of Lena Thorul!|title=[[Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane]]|volume=1|issue=23|date=February 1961|publisher=[[DC Comics]]}}</ref> ▼
* In [[Richard Donner]]'s [[Superman (1978 film)|''Superman: The Movie'']] and [[Bryan Singer]]'s ''[[Superman Returns]]'', Lex briefly mentions his father—but not his father's name—as the inspiration of Lex's real estate schemes. Lex also says that his father was a harsh man who ejected him from the family home.<ref>{{cite video|people=[[Richard Donner]] (director), Mario Puzo, David Newman, Leslie Newman, & Robert Benton (writers)|date=December 15, 1978|title=Superman: The Movie|publisher=[[Warner Bros.]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite video|people=[[Bryan Singer]] (director), Michael Dougherty & Dan Harris (writers)|date=June 28, 2006|title=Superman Returns|publisher=[[Warner Bros.]]}}
* In [[Zack Snyder]]'s ''[[Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice]]'', Lex is named after his father, '''Alexander Luthor Sr.''', an oil and machinery tycoon immigrant from Germany who died in 2000.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Pathak|first1=Shareen|title=Fortune 'profiles' fake person Lex Luthor in content marketing stunt|url=https://digiday.com/marketing/fortune-profiles-fictional-character-lex-luthor-content-marketing-stunt|website=Digiday|date=October 7, 2015 |publisher=Fortune|access-date=October 7, 2015}}</ref> When confronting Superman, Lex mentions his father's abusive behavior in his childhood. A newspaper article in the film erroneously refers to him as Lionel Luther, like in ''Smallville'', though it is unknown if this was a mistake or an intentional nod to ''Smallville''.▼
===Television===
* In the 1988–1992 television series ''[[Superboy (TV series)|Superboy]]'', Lex's father appears in season four's "Know Thine Enemy" (Part 1), in which [[Superboy]] becomes Lex Luthor in a virtual reality and watches Lex grow up with an abusive father; Lex's father is unnamed and is portrayed by Edgar Allan Poe IV.<ref>{{cite episode|title=Know Thine Enemy|series=Superboy|series-link=Superboy (TV series)|credits=Bryan Spicer (director) & J. M. DeMatteis (writer)|airdate=November 17, 1991|series-no=4|number=7}}</ref>
* Lionel Luthor appears in a flashback of the ''[[Supergirl (TV series)|Supergirl]]'' episode "Luthors", portrayed by Ian Butcher.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Topel|first1=Fred|title=Mr. Mxyzpltk Leads the Top Five Moments from Supergirl's 'Luthors'|url=https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/author/fred-topel|website=Rotten Tomatoes|publisher=Fandango|access-date=March 1, 2017}}</ref> He is a billionaire and the founder of his family's company LuthorCorp as well as resembling the future Lex Luthor (
* Lionel Luthor appears in the ''[[Titans (2018 TV series)|Titans]]'' episode "Conner", portrayed by [[Peter MacNeill]]. This version is almost blind and was a former scientist.
* Lionel Luthor briefly appears in a flashback sequence in the ''[[Superman & Lois]]'' episode "Break the Cycle", portrayed by Colin Decker. Dialogue reveals that he was an abusive husband and father who abandoned Lex when he was only seven.
===In comics===
▲* Before ''Smallville'', Lex's father either made brief appearances in the ''Superman'' comics or was mentioned. Lex's father first appears in ''[[Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane]]'' #23 (1961), in the story "The Curse of Lena Thorul!", written by Superman co-creator [[Jerry Siegel]]. In this story, he is named '''Jules''', has disowned his criminal son Lex, and changed the family name to "Thorul". Jules Thorul and his wife Arlene are later killed in a car accident.<ref>{{Cite comic|writer=[[Jerry Siegel]]|artist=[[Kurt Schaffenberger]]|story=The Curse of Lena Thorul!|title=[[Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane]]|volume=1|issue=#23|date=February 1961|publisher=[[DC Comics]]}}</ref>
* In the 2004 miniseries ''[[Superman: Birthright]]'', Lex's father is not a billionaire but immediately puts Lex to work making millions for him after he discovers his son's astronomical IQ. Lex's father dies in a fire caused accidentally by Lex in an experiment that causes Lex's permanent hair loss.<ref>{{cite book|title=Superman: Birthright|author=[[Mark Waid]], Leinil Francis Yu (Illustrator)|date=October 1, 2005|publisher=[[DC Comics]]|isbn=1-4012-0252-7}}</ref>
* In ''[[Adventure Comics]]'' #6 (March 2010), Lex's father (not named) terrorizes Lex and his sister Lena. He dies of a heart attack, leaving Lena in the care of an aunt and causes Lex to leave Smallville.<ref>''Adventure Comics'' #6. DC Comics.</ref> It is later revealed that Lex had caused his father's heart attack to cash in a sizable life insurance policy, which he would use as the basis for his fortune, the same plot Lionel Luthor used on his own parents in the ''Smallville'' backstory.<ref>''Superman: Secret Origin'' #2. DC Comics.</ref>
* In ''[[Blackest Night]]'' #6, Lionel Luthor is revived as a member of the [[Black Lantern Corps]].<ref>''Blackest Night'' #6. DC Comics.</ref>
* Lionel Luthor appears with Lex Luthor in the ''[[Flashpoint (comics)|Flashpoint]]'' reality where they tour General [[Sam Lane (comics)|Sam Lane]]'s facility of aliens.<ref>''Flashpoint: Project Superman'' #2. DC Comics.</ref>
* The character was mentioned several times by Lex, though unnamed, in many titles seen in ''[[The New 52]]''. He officially appeared as Lionel Luthor in a flashback scene during ''[[DC Rebirth]]'', along with his wife
▲* In the 1988–1992 television series ''[[Superboy (TV series)|Superboy]]'', Lex's father appears in season four's "Know Thine Enemy" (Part 1), in which [[Superboy]] becomes Lex Luthor in a virtual reality and watches Lex grow up with an abusive father; Lex's father is unnamed and is portrayed by Edgar Allan Poe IV.<ref>{{cite episode|title=Know Thine Enemy|series=Superboy|series-link=Superboy (TV series)|credits=Bryan Spicer (director) & J. M. DeMatteis (writer)|airdate=November 17, 1991|series-no=4|number=7}}</ref>
▲* In [[Richard Donner]]'s [[Superman (1978 film)|''Superman: The Movie'']] and [[Bryan Singer]]'s ''[[Superman Returns]]'', Lex briefly mentions his father—but not his father's name—as the inspiration of Lex's real estate schemes. Lex also says his father was a harsh man who ejected him from the family home.<ref>{{cite video|people=[[Richard Donner]] (director), Mario Puzo, David Newman, Leslie Newman, & Robert Benton (writers)|date=December 15, 1978|title=Superman: The Movie|publisher=[[Warner Bros.]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite video|people=[[Bryan Singer]] (director), Michael Dougherty & Dan Harris (writers)|date=June 28, 2006|title=Superman Returns|publisher=[[Warner Bros.]]}} Lionel made an appearance on the February 13 episode of Supergir.l</ref>
▲* In [[Zack Snyder]]'s ''[[Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice]]'', Lex is named after his father, Alexander Luthor Sr., an oil and machinery tycoon immigrant from Germany who died in 2000.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Pathak|first1=Shareen|title=Fortune 'profiles' fake person Lex Luthor in content marketing stunt|url=https://digiday.com/marketing/fortune-profiles-fictional-character-lex-luthor-content-marketing-stunt|website=Digiday|date=October 7, 2015 |publisher=Fortune|access-date=October 7, 2015}}</ref> When confronting Superman, Lex mentions his father's abusive behavior in his childhood. A newspaper article in the film erroneously refers to him as Lionel Luther, like in ''Smallville'', though it is unknown if this was a mistake or an intentional nod to ''Smallville.
▲* Lionel Luthor appears in a flashback of the ''[[Supergirl (TV series)|Supergirl]]'' episode "Luthors", portrayed by Ian Butcher.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Topel|first1=Fred|title=Mr. Mxyzpltk Leads the Top Five Moments from Supergirl's 'Luthors'|url=https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/author/fred-topel|website=Rotten Tomatoes|publisher=Fandango|access-date=March 1, 2017}}</ref> He is a billionaire and the founder of his family's company LuthorCorp as well as resembling the future Lex Luthor (portrayed by [[Jon Cryer]]) with his baldness. It's revealed that sometime after marrying Lillian (portrayed by [[Brenda Strong]]) and having Lex, Lionel began an extramarital affair with an unnamed woman that would lead to the conception of Lena Luthor (portrayed by [[Katie McGrath]]). Once Lillian discovered the affair, he ultimately chooses to remain with his family. After the death of Lena's mother, Lionel takes in his illegitimate daughter but lies to her and the public that his second child is adopted. Lionel favors Lena over Lex due to his love for her mother, leading to tension with his wife and son, especially due to his emotional distance from Lex growing up. It is also revealed in "The House of L" that Lionel had become an alcoholic later in his life, contributing to his family's dysfunction. Lionel died sometime afterwards due to unknown circumstances and Lex inherited his father's fortune to lead LuthorCorp for years until his imprisonment. Lena then takes over leadership of LuthorCorp, relocates the company's headquarters from Metropolis to National City, and renames it L-Corp, attempting to redeem her family name from Lex's actions. When Lena learns her true paternity from Lillian, she becomes determined to restore the Luthor name for both her father and herself.
▲* Lionel Luthor appears in the ''[[Titans (2018 TV series)|Titans]]'' episode "Conner", portrayed by [[Peter MacNeill]]. This version is almost blind and was a former scientist. Connor and [[Krypto]] arrives at Lionel's Kansas house upon a memory drawing him to it. He told Connor everything about his son and Clark before Connor is ambushed by [[Mercy Graves]]' [[Project Cadmus|Cadmus]] team. Connor worked to protect Lionel from the Cadmus team after he got attacked by one of the soldiers. The next day, Mercy gave Lex a status report while also mentioning that his father is doing alright.
==References==
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[[Category:Fictional socialites]]
[[Category:Smallville characters]]
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