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Kirk Alyn
Born · October 8, 1910
Died · March 14, 1999 (88 years old)
Known For: Acting
Place of Birth: Oxford, New Jersey, USA
Bio
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.
The Story of Superman
Self / Clark Kent / Superman (archival footage)
10.0
1989
Superman's 50th Anniversary: A Celebration of the Man of Steel
Self
8.5
1988
Scalps
Prof. Manchen
4.0
1983
Superbman: The Other Movie
Pa Cant
0.0
1981
Time Warp
4.3
1981
The Halloween Planet
The Watcher
8.0
1981
The Making of 'Superman: The Movie'
Self
6.3
1980
Superman
Sam Lane (uncredited)
7.1
1978
Battlestar Galactica
Old Man · (1 episode)
7.1
1978
Banning
Bidder (uncredited)
6.1
1967
Dennis the Menace
(1 episode)
6.5
1959
Naked City
Sgt. Muller · (1 episode)
5.5
1958
The Donna Reed Show
(2 episodes)
6.1
1958
No Time to Be Young
Mike
6.1
1957
Beginning of the End
Bomber Pilot
3.8
1957
The Eddy Duchin Story
Young Man at Wadsworths' Party (uncredited)
6.2
1956
Highway Patrol
Coordinating Officer at Headquarters · (1 episode)
5.8
1955
Buffalo Bill Jr.
(2 episodes)
5.0
1955
Blackhawk
Blackhawk
5.2
1952
When Worlds Collide
Rioter Bringing Guns (uncredited)
6.3
1951
The Adventures of Kit Carson
(1 episode)
5.3
1951
Gambling House
FBI Man (uncredited)
6.1
1950
Lux Video Theatre
Bill Waterman · (1 episode)
6.0
1950
Atom Man vs. Superman
Superman, alias Clark Kent
5.6
1950
Radar Patrol vs. Spy King
Chris Calvert
5.0
1949
Federal Agents vs. Underworld, Inc.
Inspector David Worth
0.0
1949
The Three Musketeers
Aramis' Friend (uncredited)
6.8
1948
Superman
Superman, alias Clark Kent
6.0
1948
Little Miss Broadway
Mel O'Brien
0.0
1947
The Trap
Sgt. Reynolds
6.7
1946
The Time of Their Lives
Dandy at Party (uncredited)
7.0
1946
Daughter of Don Q
Cliff Roberts
0.0
1946
The Girl Who Dared
Josh Carroll
5.7
1944
Call of the Rockies
Ned Crane
6.0
1944
Forty Thieves
Jerry Doyle
3.0
1944
A Guy Named Joe
Officer in Heaven (uncredited)
6.5
1943
Pistol Packin' Mama
J. Leslie Burton III
5.0
1943
Mystery Broadcast
Young Policeman (uncredited)
6.2
1943
Overland Mail Robbery
Tom Hartley
0.0
1943
The Man from the Rio Grande
Editor Tom Traynor
0.0
1943
Swing Shift Maisie
Victory Aircraft Official (Uncredited)
6.5
1943
Action in the North Atlantic
Brazilian Gun Captain (uncredited)
7.1
1943
Aerial Gunner
Officer in Canteen (uncredited)
4.4
1943
You Were Never Lovelier
Julia's Groom (uncredited)
7.1
1942
Lucky Jordan
Pearl's Boyfriend
6.0
1942
Private Lessons
John Humphries
5.0
1934
Fast and Loose
Man Seated at Table in Speakeasy
4.9
1930