Kirk Alyn
Acting
Born: 1910-10-08 in Oxford, New Jersey, USA
Biography
Kirk Alyn (1910–1999) was an American actor, best known for being the first actor to play Superman in live-action in Superman serial and Atom Man vs. Superman as well as Blackhawk in the Blackhawk serial, and Sam Lane in Superman: The Movie. Alyn started as a chorus boy for Broadway plays, appearing in notable musicals such as Girl Crazy, Of Thee I Sing, and Hellzapoppin' during the 1930s. He also worked as a singer and dancer in vaudeville before relocating to Hollywood during the early 1940s to act for feature movies, but he was successful only in gaining bit parts for low-budget movies before obtaining the role of Superman in 1948. During World War II he served in the United States Navy. Alyn also featured in movie serials, including Federal Agents Vs. Underworld Inc., Radar Patrol Vs. Spy King and Blackhawk. Alyn played Superman for the first live-action Superman movie serial, released in 1948. The serial consisted of 15 episodes which recounted Superman’s arrival on Earth, getting a job as a reporter at the Daily Planet newspaper, and meeting Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen. After playing Superman, he again suffered casting problems. Apart from featuring in some similar comic book-type serials, he had few roles in television series and movies, some even uncredited, until he retired.
Known For
The Donna Reed Show
Highway Patrol
Coordinating Officer at Headquarters
Naked City
Sgt. Muller
Superman
Sam Lane (uncredited)
Battlestar Galactica
Old Man
Dennis the Menace
The Adventures of Kit Carson
Superpowered: The DC Story
Self (archive footage)
Buffalo Bill Jr.
The Three Musketeers
Aramis' Friend (uncredited)
When Worlds Collide
Rioter Bringing Guns (uncredited)
Time Warp
You Were Never Lovelier
Julia's Groom (uncredited)
Action in the North Atlantic
Brazilian Gun Captain (uncredited)
Banning
Bidder (uncredited)
The Trap
Sgt. Reynolds
The Eddy Duchin Story
Young Man at Wadsworths' Party (uncredited)
Call of the Rockies
Ned Crane
A Guy Named Joe
Officer in Heaven (uncredited)
Gambling House
FBI Man (uncredited)
The Girl Who Dared
Josh Carroll
Lucky Jordan
Pearl's Boyfriend
Pistol Packin' Mama
J. Leslie Burton III
Radar Patrol vs. Spy King
Chris Calvert
Swing Shift Maisie
Victory Aircraft Official (Uncredited)
Superman
Superman, alias Clark Kent
The Time of Their Lives
Dandy at Party (uncredited)
Atom Man vs. Superman
Superman, alias Clark Kent
Beginning of the End
Bomber Pilot
Aerial Gunner
Officer in Canteen (uncredited)
The Making of 'Superman: The Movie'
Self
Daughter of Don Q
Cliff Roberts
Mystery Broadcast
Young Policeman (uncredited)
Scalps
Prof. Manchen
Federal Agents vs. Underworld, Inc.
Inspector David Worth
Little Miss Broadway
Mel O'Brien
Overland Mail Robbery
Tom Hartley
Superman's 50th Anniversary: A Celebration of the Man of Steel
Self
Superbman: The Other Movie
Pa Cant