Kirk Alyn
Born: 1910-10-08 in Oxford, New Jersey, USA
Died: 1999-03-14
Known For: Acting
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.
Filmography
2023
- Superpowered: The DC Story as Self (archive footage)
1989
- The Story of Superman as Self / Clark Kent / Superman (archival footage)
1983
- Scalps as Prof. Manchen
1982
1981
- Time Warp
- Superbman: The Other Movie as Pa Cant
- The Halloween Planet as The Watcher
1978
- Battlestar Galactica as Old Man
- Superman as Sam Lane (uncredited)
1967
- Banning as Bidder (uncredited)
1959
1958
- Naked City as Sgt. Muller
- The Donna Reed Show
1957
- Beginning of the End as Bomber Pilot
- No Time to Be Young as Mike
1956
- The Eddy Duchin Story as Young Man at Wadsworths' Party (uncredited)
1955
- Highway Patrol as Coordinating Officer at Headquarters
- Buffalo Bill Jr.
1952
- Blackhawk as Blackhawk
1951
- The Adventures of Kit Carson
- When Worlds Collide as Rioter Bringing Guns (uncredited)
1950
- Lux Video Theatre as Bill Waterman
- Gambling House as FBI Man (uncredited)
- Atom Man vs. Superman as Superman, alias Clark Kent
1949
- Radar Patrol vs. Spy King as Chris Calvert
- A Guy Named Joe as Officer in Heaven (uncredited)
- Federal Agents vs. Underworld, Inc. as Inspector David Worth
1948
- Superman as Superman, alias Clark Kent
- The Three Musketeers as Aramis' Friend (uncredited)
1947
- Little Miss Broadway as Mel O'Brien
1946
- The Trap as Sgt. Reynolds
- The Time of Their Lives as Dandy at Party (uncredited)
- Daughter of Don Q as Cliff Roberts
1944
- Call of the Rockies as Ned Crane
- The Girl Who Dared as Josh Carroll
- Forty Thieves as Jerry Doyle
1943
- Swing Shift Maisie as Victory Aircraft Official (Uncredited)
- Mystery Broadcast as Young Policeman (uncredited)
- Action in the North Atlantic as Brazilian Gun Captain (uncredited)
- The Man from the Rio Grande as Editor Tom Traynor
- Overland Mail Robbery as Tom Hartley
- Aerial Gunner as Officer in Canteen (uncredited)
- Pistol Packin' Mama as J. Leslie Burton III
1942
- Lucky Jordan as Pearl's Boyfriend
- You Were Never Lovelier as Julia's Groom (uncredited)
1934
- Private Lessons as John Humphries
1930
- Fast and Loose as Man Seated at Table in Speakeasy