Kirk Alyn
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- October 8, 1910
- Died
- March 14, 1999 (aged 88)
- Birthplace
- Oxford, New Jersey, USA
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.
Known For
Filmography
Superpowered: The DC Story
TV · as Self (archive footage) · 1 ep
The Story of Superman
Movie · as Self / Clark Kent / Superman (archival footage)
Superman's 50th Anniversary: A Celebration of the Man of Steel
Movie · as Self
Scalps
Movie · as Prof. Manchen
The Making of 'Superman: The Movie'
Movie · as Self
Superbman: The Other Movie
Movie · as Pa Cant
Time Warp
Movie
The Halloween Planet
Movie · as The Watcher
Superman
Movie · as Sam Lane (uncredited)
Battlestar Galactica
TV · as Old Man · 1 ep
Banning
Movie · as Bidder (uncredited)
Dennis the Menace
TV · 1 ep
Naked City
TV · as Sgt. Muller · 1 ep
The Donna Reed Show
TV · 2 eps
No Time to Be Young
Movie · as Mike
Beginning of the End
Movie · as Bomber Pilot
The Eddy Duchin Story
Movie · as Young Man at Wadsworths' Party (uncredited)
Highway Patrol
TV · as Coordinating Officer at Headquarters · 1 ep
Buffalo Bill Jr.
TV · 2 eps
Blackhawk
Movie · as Blackhawk
When Worlds Collide
Movie · as Rioter Bringing Guns (uncredited)
The Adventures of Kit Carson
TV · 1 ep
Atom Man vs. Superman
Movie · as Superman, alias Clark Kent
Gambling House
Movie · as FBI Man (uncredited)
Lux Video Theatre
TV · as Bill Waterman · 1 ep
Radar Patrol vs. Spy King
Movie · as Chris Calvert
Federal Agents vs. Underworld, Inc.
Movie · as Inspector David Worth
The Three Musketeers
Movie · as Aramis' Friend (uncredited)
Superman
Movie · as Superman, alias Clark Kent
Little Miss Broadway
Movie · as Mel O'Brien
The Trap
Movie · as Sgt. Reynolds
Daughter of Don Q
Movie · as Cliff Roberts
The Time of Their Lives
Movie · as Dandy at Party (uncredited)
The Girl Who Dared
Movie · as Josh Carroll
Call of the Rockies
Movie · as Ned Crane
Forty Thieves
Movie · as Jerry Doyle
A Guy Named Joe
Movie · as Officer in Heaven (uncredited)
Mystery Broadcast
Movie · as Young Policeman (uncredited)
Aerial Gunner
Movie · as Officer in Canteen (uncredited)
Pistol Packin' Mama
Movie · as J. Leslie Burton III
The Man from the Rio Grande
Movie · as Editor Tom Traynor
Overland Mail Robbery
Movie · as Tom Hartley
Action in the North Atlantic
Movie · as Brazilian Gun Captain (uncredited)
Swing Shift Maisie
Movie · as Victory Aircraft Official (Uncredited)
You Were Never Lovelier
Movie · as Julia's Groom (uncredited)
Lucky Jordan
Movie · as Pearl's Boyfriend
Private Lessons
Movie · as John Humphries
Fast and Loose
Movie · as Man Seated at Table in Speakeasy