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Kirk Alyn
Actor

Kirk Alyn

8 Oct 1910Born
14 Mar 1999Died
88Age at death
44Credits

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.

Read the full biography

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

Filmography

  1. 1983ScalpsFilm: Prof. Manchen
  2. 1981Superbman: The Other MovieFilm: Pa Cant
  3. 1981Time WarpFilm
  4. 1981The Halloween PlanetFilm: The Watcher
  5. 1978SupermanFilm: Sam Lane (uncredited)
  6. 1978Battlestar GalacticaSeries: Old Man (1 episode)
  7. 1967BanningFilm: Bidder (uncredited)
  8. 1959Dennis the MenaceSeries (1 episode)
  9. 1958Naked CitySeries: Sgt. Muller (1 episode)
  10. 1958The Donna Reed ShowSeries (2 episodes)
  11. 1957No Time to Be YoungFilm: Mike
  12. 1957Beginning of the EndFilm: Bomber Pilot
  13. 1956The Eddy Duchin StoryFilm: Young Man at Wadsworths' Party (uncredited)
  14. 1955Highway PatrolSeries: Coordinating Officer at Headquarters (1 episode)
  15. 1955Buffalo Bill Jr.Series (2 episodes)
  16. 1952BlackhawkFilm: Blackhawk
  17. 1951When Worlds CollideFilm: Rioter Bringing Guns (uncredited)
  18. 1951The Adventures of Kit CarsonSeries (1 episode)
  19. 1950Gambling HouseFilm: FBI Man (uncredited)
  20. 1950Lux Video TheatreSeries: Bill Waterman (1 episode)
  21. 1950Atom Man vs. SupermanFilm: Superman, alias Clark Kent
  22. 1949Radar Patrol vs. Spy KingFilm: Chris Calvert
  23. 1949Federal Agents vs. Underworld, Inc.Film: Inspector David Worth
  24. 1948The Three MusketeersFilm: Aramis' Friend (uncredited)
  25. 1948SupermanFilm: Superman, alias Clark Kent
  26. 1947Little Miss BroadwayFilm: Mel O'Brien
  27. 1946The TrapFilm: Sgt. Reynolds
  28. 1946The Time of Their LivesFilm: Dandy at Party (uncredited)
  29. 1946Daughter of Don QFilm: Cliff Roberts
  30. 1944The Girl Who DaredFilm: Josh Carroll
  31. 1944Call of the RockiesFilm: Ned Crane
  32. 1944Forty ThievesFilm: Jerry Doyle
  33. 1944A Guy Named JoeFilm: Officer in Heaven (uncredited)
  34. 1943Pistol Packin' MamaFilm: J. Leslie Burton III
  35. 1943Mystery BroadcastFilm: Young Policeman (uncredited)
  36. 1943Overland Mail RobberyFilm: Tom Hartley
  37. 1943The Man from the Rio GrandeFilm: Editor Tom Traynor
  38. 1943Swing Shift MaisieFilm: Victory Aircraft Official (Uncredited)
  39. 1943Action in the North AtlanticFilm: Brazilian Gun Captain (uncredited)
  40. 1943Aerial GunnerFilm: Officer in Canteen (uncredited)
  41. 1942You Were Never LovelierFilm: Julia's Groom (uncredited)
  42. 1942Lucky JordanFilm: Pearl's Boyfriend
  43. 1934Private LessonsFilm: John Humphries
  44. 1930Fast and LooseFilm: Man Seated at Table in Speakeasy

Biography and credits from TMDB. This website uses TMDB and the TMDB APIs but is not endorsed, certified, or otherwise approved by TMDB.