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