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Kirk Alyn
Oxford, New Jersey, USA
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…
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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.
Filmography
Movies and shows, newest first
-
2023
Superpowered: The DC Story
TV show Self (archive footage)
-
1989
The Story of Superman
Movie Self / Clark Kent / Superman (archival footage)
- 1988
-
1983
Scalps
Movie Prof. Manchen
-
1982
The Making of 'Superman: The Movie'
Movie Self
-
1981
Time Warp
Movie
-
1981
The Halloween Planet
Movie The Watcher
-
1981
Superbman: The Other Movie
Movie Pa Cant
-
1978
Superman
Movie Sam Lane (uncredited)
-
1978
Battlestar Galactica
TV show Old Man
-
1967
Banning
Movie Bidder (uncredited)
-
1959
Dennis the Menace
TV show
-
1958
Naked City
TV show Sgt. Muller
-
1958
The Donna Reed Show
TV show
-
1957
No Time to Be Young
Movie Mike
-
1957
Beginning of the End
Movie Bomber Pilot
More credits
-
1956
The Eddy Duchin Story
Movie Young Man at Wadsworths' Party (uncredited)
-
1955
Highway Patrol
TV show Coordinating Officer at Headquarters
-
1955
Buffalo Bill Jr.
TV show
-
1952
Blackhawk
Movie Blackhawk
-
1951
When Worlds Collide
Movie Rioter Bringing Guns (uncredited)
-
1951
The Adventures of Kit Carson
TV show
-
1950
Gambling House
Movie FBI Man (uncredited)
-
1950
Lux Video Theatre
TV show Bill Waterman
-
1950
Atom Man vs. Superman
Movie Superman, alias Clark Kent
-
1949
Radar Patrol vs. Spy King
Movie Chris Calvert
-
1949
Federal Agents vs. Underworld, Inc.
Movie Inspector David Worth
-
1948
The Three Musketeers
Movie Aramis' Friend (uncredited)
-
1948
Superman
Movie Superman, alias Clark Kent
-
1947
Little Miss Broadway
Movie Mel O'Brien
-
1946
The Trap
Movie Sgt. Reynolds
-
1946
The Time of Their Lives
Movie Dandy at Party (uncredited)
-
1946
Daughter of Don Q
Movie Cliff Roberts
-
1944
The Girl Who Dared
Movie Josh Carroll
-
1944
Call of the Rockies
Movie Ned Crane
-
1944
Forty Thieves
Movie Jerry Doyle
-
1944
A Guy Named Joe
Movie Officer in Heaven (uncredited)
-
1943
Pistol Packin' Mama
Movie J. Leslie Burton III
-
1943
Mystery Broadcast
Movie Young Policeman (uncredited)
-
1943
Overland Mail Robbery
Movie Tom Hartley
