Kirk Alyn

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

The Donna Reed Show

Naked City

Highway Patrol

Battlestar Galactica

Dennis the Menace

Superman

The Adventures of Kit Carson

Superpowered: The DC Story

All Movies (39)

• The Story of Superman1989 · as Self / Clark Kent / Superman (archival footage)
• Superman's 50th Anniversary: A Celebration of the Man of Steel1988 · as Self
• Scalps1983 · as Prof. Manchen
• The Making of 'Superman: The Movie'1982 · as Self
• Superbman: The Other Movie1981 · as Pa Cant
• Time Warp1981
• The Halloween Planet1981 · as The Watcher
• Superman1978 · as Sam Lane (uncredited)
• Banning1967 · as Bidder (uncredited)
• No Time to Be Young1957 · as Mike
• Beginning of the End1957 · as Bomber Pilot
• The Eddy Duchin Story1956 · as Young Man at Wadsworths' Party (uncredited)
• Blackhawk1952 · as Blackhawk
• When Worlds Collide1951 · as Rioter Bringing Guns (uncredited)
• Gambling House1950 · as FBI Man (uncredited)
• Atom Man vs. Superman1950 · as Superman, alias Clark Kent
• Radar Patrol vs. Spy King1949 · as Chris Calvert
• Federal Agents vs. Underworld, Inc.1949 · as Inspector David Worth
• The Three Musketeers1948 · as Aramis' Friend (uncredited)
• Superman1948 · as Superman, alias Clark Kent
• Little Miss Broadway1947 · as Mel O'Brien
• The Trap1946 · as Sgt. Reynolds
• The Time of Their Lives1946 · as Dandy at Party (uncredited)
• Daughter of Don Q1946 · as Cliff Roberts
• The Girl Who Dared1944 · as Josh Carroll
• Call of the Rockies1944 · as Ned Crane
• Forty Thieves1944 · as Jerry Doyle
• A Guy Named Joe1944 · as Officer in Heaven (uncredited)
• Pistol Packin' Mama1943 · as J. Leslie Burton III
• Mystery Broadcast1943 · as Young Policeman (uncredited)
• Overland Mail Robbery1943 · as Tom Hartley
• The Man from the Rio Grande1943 · as Editor Tom Traynor
• Swing Shift Maisie1943 · as Victory Aircraft Official (Uncredited)
• Action in the North Atlantic1943 · as Brazilian Gun Captain (uncredited)
• Aerial Gunner1943 · as Officer in Canteen (uncredited)
• You Were Never Lovelier1942 · as Julia's Groom (uncredited)
• Lucky Jordan1942 · as Pearl's Boyfriend
• Private Lessons1934 · as John Humphries
• Fast and Loose1930 · as Man Seated at Table in Speakeasy

All TV Shows (9)

• Superpowered: The DC Story2023 · as Self (archive footage)
• Battlestar Galactica1978 · as Old Man
• Dennis the Menace1959
• Naked City1958 · as Sgt. Muller
• The Donna Reed Show1958
• Highway Patrol1955 · as Coordinating Officer at Headquarters
• Buffalo Bill Jr.1955
• The Adventures of Kit Carson1951
• Lux Video Theatre1950 · as Bill Waterman