Kirk Alyn
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- Oct 8, 1910
- Died
- Mar 14, 1999 (aged 88)
- Place of birth
- Oxford, New Jersey, USA
- Credits
- 48
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
Superman
1978Movie
Sam Lane (uncredited)
Battlestar Galactica
1978TV
Old Man
When Worlds Collide
1951Movie
Rioter Bringing Guns (uncredited)
The Three Musketeers
1948Movie
Aramis' Friend (uncredited)
Action in the North Atlantic
1943Movie
Brazilian Gun Captain (uncredited)
You Were Never Lovelier
1942Movie
Julia's Groom (uncredited)
Filmography
Superpowered: The DC Story
2023TV
Self (archive footage)
The Story of Superman
1989Movie
Self / Clark Kent / Superman (archival footage)
Superman's 50th Anniversary: A Celebration of the Man of Steel
1988Movie
Self
Scalps
1983Movie
Prof. Manchen
The Making of 'Superman: The Movie'
1982Movie
Self
Superbman: The Other Movie
1981Movie
Pa Cant
Time Warp
1981Movie
The Halloween Planet
1981Movie
The Watcher
Superman
1978Movie
Sam Lane (uncredited)
Battlestar Galactica
1978TV
Old Man
Banning
1967Movie
Bidder (uncredited)
Dennis the Menace
1959TV
Naked City
1958TV
Sgt. Muller
The Donna Reed Show
1958TV
No Time to Be Young
1957Movie
Mike
Beginning of the End
1957Movie
Bomber Pilot
The Eddy Duchin Story
1956Movie
Young Man at Wadsworths' Party (uncredited)
Highway Patrol
1955TV
Coordinating Officer at Headquarters
Buffalo Bill Jr.
1955TV
Blackhawk
1952Movie
Blackhawk
When Worlds Collide
1951Movie
Rioter Bringing Guns (uncredited)
The Adventures of Kit Carson
1951TV
Gambling House
1950Movie
FBI Man (uncredited)
Lux Video Theatre
1950TV
Bill Waterman
Atom Man vs. Superman
1950Movie
Superman, alias Clark Kent
Radar Patrol vs. Spy King
1949Movie
Chris Calvert
Federal Agents vs. Underworld, Inc.
1949Movie
Inspector David Worth
The Three Musketeers
1948Movie
Aramis' Friend (uncredited)
Superman
1948Movie
Superman, alias Clark Kent
Little Miss Broadway
1947Movie
Mel O'Brien
The Trap
1946Movie
Sgt. Reynolds
The Time of Their Lives
1946Movie
Dandy at Party (uncredited)
Daughter of Don Q
1946Movie
Cliff Roberts
The Girl Who Dared
1944Movie
Josh Carroll
Call of the Rockies
1944Movie
Ned Crane
Forty Thieves
1944Movie
Jerry Doyle
A Guy Named Joe
1944Movie
Officer in Heaven (uncredited)
Pistol Packin' Mama
1943Movie
J. Leslie Burton III
Mystery Broadcast
1943Movie
Young Policeman (uncredited)
Overland Mail Robbery
1943Movie
Tom Hartley
The Man from the Rio Grande
1943Movie
Editor Tom Traynor
Swing Shift Maisie
1943Movie
Victory Aircraft Official (Uncredited)
Action in the North Atlantic
1943Movie
Brazilian Gun Captain (uncredited)
Aerial Gunner
1943Movie
Officer in Canteen (uncredited)
You Were Never Lovelier
1942Movie
Julia's Groom (uncredited)
Lucky Jordan
1942Movie
Pearl's Boyfriend
Private Lessons
1934Movie
John Humphries
Fast and Loose
1930Movie
Man Seated at Table in Speakeasy