Acting · Oxford, New Jersey, USA · Born October 8, 1910
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.
TVSuperpowered: The DC Story
2023
as Self (archive footage)
MovieThe Story of Superman
1989
as Self / Clark Kent / Superman (archival footage)
MovieSuperman's 50th Anniversary: A Celebration of the Man of Steel
1988
as Self
MovieScalps
1983
as Prof. Manchen
MovieThe Making of 'Superman: The Movie'
1982
as Self
MovieSuperbman: The Other Movie
1981
as Pa Cant
MovieTime Warp
1981
MovieThe Halloween Planet
1981
as The Watcher
MovieSuperman
1978
as Sam Lane (uncredited)
TVBattlestar Galactica
1978
as Old Man
MovieBanning
1967
as Bidder (uncredited)
TVDennis the Menace
1959
TVNaked City
1958
as Sgt. Muller
TVThe Donna Reed Show
1958
MovieNo Time to Be Young
1957
as Mike
MovieBeginning of the End
1957
as Bomber Pilot
MovieThe Eddy Duchin Story
1956
as Young Man at Wadsworths' Party (uncredited)
TVHighway Patrol
1955
as Coordinating Officer at Headquarters
TVBuffalo Bill Jr.
1955
MovieBlackhawk
1952
as Blackhawk
MovieWhen Worlds Collide
1951
as Rioter Bringing Guns (uncredited)
TVThe Adventures of Kit Carson
1951
MovieGambling House
1950
as FBI Man (uncredited)
Lux Video Theatre
1950
as Bill Waterman
MovieAtom Man vs. Superman
1950
as Superman, alias Clark Kent
MovieRadar Patrol vs. Spy King
1949
as Chris Calvert
MovieFederal Agents vs. Underworld, Inc.
1949
as Inspector David Worth
MovieThe Three Musketeers
1948
as Aramis' Friend (uncredited)
MovieSuperman
1948
as Superman, alias Clark Kent
TVSuperman: The 1948 Serial
1948
as Superman/Clark Kent
MovieLittle Miss Broadway
1947
as Mel O'Brien
MovieThe Trap
1946
as Sgt. Reynolds
MovieThe Time of Their Lives
1946
as Dandy at Party (uncredited)
MovieDaughter of Don Q
1946
as Cliff Roberts
MovieThe Girl Who Dared
1944
as Josh Carroll
MovieCall of the Rockies
1944
as Ned Crane
MovieForty Thieves
1944
as Jerry Doyle
MovieA Guy Named Joe
1944
as Officer in Heaven (uncredited)
MoviePistol Packin' Mama
1943
as J. Leslie Burton III
MovieMystery Broadcast
1943
as Young Policeman (uncredited)
MovieOverland Mail Robbery
1943
as Tom Hartley
MovieThe Man from the Rio Grande
1943
as Editor Tom Traynor
MovieSwing Shift Maisie
1943
as Victory Aircraft Official (Uncredited)
MovieAction in the North Atlantic
1943
as Brazilian Gun Captain (uncredited)
MovieAerial Gunner
1943
as Officer in Canteen (uncredited)
MovieYou Were Never Lovelier
1942
as Julia's Groom (uncredited)
MovieLucky Jordan
1942
as Pearl's Boyfriend
MoviePrivate Lessons
1934
as John Humphries
MovieFast and Loose
1930
as Man Seated at Table in Speakeasy
