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.
Personal Details
Movies (39)
The Story of Superman
as Self / Clark Kent / Superman (archival footage)
1989
Superman's 50th Anniversary: A Celebration of the Man of Steel
as Self
1988
Scalps
as Prof. Manchen
1983
The Making of 'Superman: The Movie'
as Self
1982
Superbman: The Other Movie
as Pa Cant
1981
Time Warp
1981
The Halloween Planet
as The Watcher
1981
Superman
as Sam Lane (uncredited)
1978
Banning
as Bidder (uncredited)
1967
No Time to Be Young
as Mike
1957
Beginning of the End
as Bomber Pilot
1957
The Eddy Duchin Story
as Young Man at Wadsworths' Party (uncredited)
1956
Blackhawk
as Blackhawk
1952
When Worlds Collide
as Rioter Bringing Guns (uncredited)
1951
Gambling House
as FBI Man (uncredited)
1950
Atom Man vs. Superman
as Superman, alias Clark Kent
1950
Radar Patrol vs. Spy King
as Chris Calvert
1949
Federal Agents vs. Underworld, Inc.
as Inspector David Worth
1949
A Guy Named Joe
as Officer in Heaven (uncredited)
1949
The Three Musketeers
as Aramis' Friend (uncredited)
1948
Superman
as Superman, alias Clark Kent
1948
Little Miss Broadway
as Mel O'Brien
1947
The Trap
as Sgt. Reynolds
1946
The Time of Their Lives
as Dandy at Party (uncredited)
1946
Daughter of Don Q
as Cliff Roberts
1946
The Girl Who Dared
as Josh Carroll
1944
Call of the Rockies
as Ned Crane
1944
Forty Thieves
as Jerry Doyle
1944
Pistol Packin' Mama
as J. Leslie Burton III
1943
Mystery Broadcast
as Young Policeman (uncredited)
1943
Overland Mail Robbery
as Tom Hartley
1943
The Man from the Rio Grande
as Editor Tom Traynor
1943
Swing Shift Maisie
as Victory Aircraft Official (Uncredited)
1943
Action in the North Atlantic
as Brazilian Gun Captain (uncredited)
1943
Aerial Gunner
as Officer in Canteen (uncredited)
1943
You Were Never Lovelier
as Julia's Groom (uncredited)
1942
Lucky Jordan
as Pearl's Boyfriend
1942
Private Lessons
as John Humphries
1934
Fast and Loose
as Man Seated at Table in Speakeasy
1930
TV Shows (9)
Superpowered: The DC Story
as Self (archive footage)
2023
Battlestar Galactica
as Old Man
1978
Dennis the Menace
1959
Naked City
as Sgt. Muller
1958
The Donna Reed Show
1958
Highway Patrol
as Coordinating Officer at Headquarters
1955
Buffalo Bill Jr.
1955
The Adventures of Kit Carson
1951
Lux Video Theatre
as Bill Waterman
1950