Kirk Alyn
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
Prof. Manchen
Scalps
Sgt. Reynolds
The Trap
Mike
No Time to Be Young
Young Man at Wadsworths' Party (uncredited)
The Eddy Duchin Story
Superman, alias Clark Kent
Atom Man vs. Superman
Aramis' Friend (uncredited)
The Three Musketeers
Pa Cant
Superbman: The Other Movie
Superman, alias Clark Kent
Superman
FBI Man (uncredited)
Gambling House
Man Seated at Table in Speakeasy
Fast and Loose
Young Policeman (uncredited)
Mystery Broadcast
Officer in Canteen (uncredited)
Aerial Gunner
Josh Carroll
The Girl Who Dared
John Humphries
Private Lessons
Blackhawk
Blackhawk
Time Warp
J. Leslie Burton III
Pistol Packin' Mama
Ned Crane
Call of the Rockies
Jerry Doyle
Forty Thieves
Chris Calvert
Radar Patrol vs. Spy King
Self / Clark Kent / Superman (archival footage)
The Story of Superman
Julia's Groom (uncredited)
You Were Never Lovelier
Inspector David Worth
Federal Agents vs. Underworld, Inc.
Editor Tom Traynor
The Man from the Rio Grande
Tom Hartley
Overland Mail Robbery
Cliff Roberts
Daughter of Don Q
Self
The Making of 'Superman: The Movie'
Bomber Pilot
Beginning of the End
Self
Superman's 50th Anniversary: A Celebration of the Man of Steel
Rioter Bringing Guns (uncredited)
When Worlds Collide
Sam Lane (uncredited)
Superman
The Watcher
The Halloween Planet
Brazilian Gun Captain (uncredited)
Action in the North Atlantic
Officer in Heaven (uncredited)
A Guy Named Joe
Pearl's Boyfriend
Lucky Jordan
Mel O'Brien
Little Miss Broadway
Dandy at Party (uncredited)
The Time of Their Lives
Victory Aircraft Official (Uncredited)
Swing Shift Maisie
Bidder (uncredited)
Banning
Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Known Credits
39
Gender
Male
Birthday
1910-10-08
Place of Birth
Oxford, New Jersey, USA
Also Known As