"Clark, the real test of a hero is knowing when the greater good will be served by an evil act. To save the Earth, the cost of one life is the price that must be paid." - Vessel

Lionel Luthor is the scheming father of Lex Luthor.

He is the founder of LuthorCorp and acted as Chairman and CEO until recently. He has connections with the criminal underworld through his best friend, Morgan Edge. Lionel Luthor is the father of three sons, however one of his sons died as an infant.

Lionel graduated summa cum laude with a chemistry degree from Princeton University and has two PhDs in biochemical engineering and macroeconomic modeling from Yale University.