Kirk Alyn
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- October 8, 1910
- Died
- March 14, 1999
- Birthplace
- Oxford, New Jersey, USA
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
The Story of Superman 1989
as Self / Clark Kent / Superman (archival footage)
Superman's 50th Anniversary: A Celebration of the Man of Steel 1988
as Self
Scalps 1983
as Prof. Manchen
The Making of 'Superman: The Movie' 1982
as Self
The Halloween Planet 1981
as The Watcher
Time Warp 1981
Actor
Superbman: The Other Movie 1981
as Pa Cant
Superman 1978
as Sam Lane (uncredited)
Banning 1967
as Bidder (uncredited)
No Time to Be Young 1957
as Mike
Beginning of the End 1957
as Bomber Pilot
The Eddy Duchin Story 1956
as Young Man at Wadsworths' Party (uncredited)
Blackhawk 1952
as Blackhawk
When Worlds Collide 1951
as Rioter Bringing Guns (uncredited)
Gambling House 1950
as FBI Man (uncredited)
Atom Man vs. Superman 1950
as Superman, alias Clark Kent
Radar Patrol vs. Spy King 1949
as Chris Calvert
Federal Agents vs. Underworld, Inc. 1949
as Inspector David Worth
The Three Musketeers 1948
as Aramis' Friend (uncredited)
Superman 1948
as Superman, alias Clark Kent
Little Miss Broadway 1947
as Mel O'Brien
The Trap 1946
as Sgt. Reynolds
The Time of Their Lives 1946
as Dandy at Party (uncredited)
Daughter of Don Q 1946
as Cliff Roberts
The Girl Who Dared 1944
as Josh Carroll
Call of the Rockies 1944
as Ned Crane
Forty Thieves 1944
as Jerry Doyle
A Guy Named Joe 1944
as Officer in Heaven (uncredited)
Pistol Packin' Mama 1943
as J. Leslie Burton III
Mystery Broadcast 1943
as Young Policeman (uncredited)
Overland Mail Robbery 1943
as Tom Hartley
The Man from the Rio Grande 1943
as Editor Tom Traynor
Swing Shift Maisie 1943
as Victory Aircraft Official (Uncredited)
Action in the North Atlantic 1943
as Brazilian Gun Captain (uncredited)
Aerial Gunner 1943
as Officer in Canteen (uncredited)
You Were Never Lovelier 1942
as Julia's Groom (uncredited)
Lucky Jordan 1942
as Pearl's Boyfriend
Private Lessons 1934
as John Humphries
Fast and Loose 1930
as Man Seated at Table in Speakeasy
Credits from TMDB.