Kirk Alyn
Acting

Kirk Alyn

October 8, 1910 (Age 88 at death) Oxford, New Jersey, USA Died March 14, 1999

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

Battlestar Galactica

Battlestar Galactica

1978 • TV

Naked City

Naked City

1958 • TV

The Donna Reed Show

The Donna Reed Show

1958 • TV

Dennis the Menace

Dennis the Menace

1959 • TV

Superman

Superman

1978 • Movie

Mystery Broadcast

Mystery Broadcast

1943 • Movie

Movie Credits (39)

Acting

1978

Superman

as Sam Lane (uncredited)

1943

Mystery Broadcast

as Young Policeman (uncredited)

1942

Lucky Jordan

as Pearl's Boyfriend

1981

Time Warp

1950

Gambling House

as FBI Man (uncredited)

1967

Banning

as Bidder (uncredited)

1946

The Trap

as Sgt. Reynolds

1934

Private Lessons

as John Humphries

1952

Blackhawk

as Blackhawk

1983

Scalps

as Prof. Manchen

1951

When Worlds Collide

as Rioter Bringing Guns (uncredited)

1948

The Three Musketeers

as Aramis' Friend (uncredited)

1943

Action in the North Atlantic

as Brazilian Gun Captain (uncredited)

1948

Superman

as Superman, alias Clark Kent

1942

You Were Never Lovelier

as Julia's Groom (uncredited)

1981

Superbman: The Other Movie

as Pa Cant

1949

A Guy Named Joe

as Officer in Heaven (uncredited)

1957

Beginning of the End

as Bomber Pilot

1956

The Eddy Duchin Story

as Young Man at Wadsworths' Party (uncredited)

1946

The Time of Their Lives

as Dandy at Party (uncredited)

TV Credits (9)

Acting

1978

Battlestar Galactica

as Old Man

1 episodes

1958

Naked City

as Sgt. Muller

1 episodes

1958

The Donna Reed Show

2 episodes

1959

Dennis the Menace

1 episodes

1955

Highway Patrol

as Coordinating Officer at Headquarters

1 episodes

2023

Superpowered: The DC Story

as Self (archive footage)

1 episodes

1951

The Adventures of Kit Carson

1 episodes

1950

Lux Video Theatre

as Bill Waterman

1 episodes

1955

Buffalo Bill Jr.

2 episodes

Personal Info

Known For
Acting
Gender
Male
Birthday
October 8, 1910
Died
March 14, 1999 (age 88)
Place of Birth
Oxford, New Jersey, USA
Popularity
0.6

Career Stats

39
Movies
9
TV Shows