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Kirk Alyn

Actor

Kirk Alyn

Born October 8, 1910 in Oxford, New Jersey, USADied March 14, 199936 films

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.

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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.

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The best way into Kirk Alyn's work
Superman posterFirst watchSuperman19787.2as Sam Lane (uncredited)Mild-mannered Clark Kent works as a reporter at the Daily Planet alongside his crush, Lois Lane. Clark must summon his superhero alter-ego when the nefarious Lex Luthor launches a plan to…View film

Essential films

Ranked by acclaim and reach
The Three Musketeers poster6.8The Three Musketeers1948When Worlds Collide poster6.4When Worlds Collide1951Action in the North Atlantic poster7.1Action in the North Atlantic1943You Were Never Lovelier poster7.1You Were Never Lovelier1942The Time of Their Lives poster7.2The Time of Their Lives1946A Guy Named Joe poster6.7A Guy Named Joe1944

Filmography

36 films as actor
  1. 1983ScalpsProf. Manchen
  2. 1981Superbman: The Other MoviePa Cant
  3. 1981Time Warp
  4. 1981The Halloween PlanetThe Watcher
  5. 1978SupermanSam Lane (uncredited)
  6. 1967BanningBidder (uncredited)
  7. 1957No Time to Be YoungMike
  8. 1957Beginning of the EndBomber Pilot
  9. 1956The Eddy Duchin StoryYoung Man at Wadsworths' Party (uncredited)
  10. 1952BlackhawkBlackhawk
  11. 1951When Worlds CollideRioter Bringing Guns (uncredited)
  12. 1950Gambling HouseFBI Man (uncredited)
  13. 1950Atom Man vs. SupermanSuperman, alias Clark Kent
  14. 1949Radar Patrol vs. Spy KingChris Calvert
  15. 1949Federal Agents vs. Underworld, Inc.Inspector David Worth
  16. 1948The Three MusketeersAramis' Friend (uncredited)
  17. 1948SupermanSuperman, alias Clark Kent
  18. 1947Little Miss BroadwayMel O'Brien
  19. 1946The TrapSgt. Reynolds
  20. 1946The Time of Their LivesDandy at Party (uncredited)
  21. 1946Daughter of Don QCliff Roberts
  22. 1944The Girl Who DaredJosh Carroll
  23. 1944Call of the RockiesNed Crane
  24. 1944Forty ThievesJerry Doyle
  25. 1944A Guy Named JoeOfficer in Heaven (uncredited)
  26. 1943Pistol Packin' MamaJ. Leslie Burton III
  27. 1943Mystery BroadcastYoung Policeman (uncredited)
  28. 1943Overland Mail RobberyTom Hartley
  29. 1943The Man from the Rio GrandeEditor Tom Traynor
  30. 1943Swing Shift MaisieVictory Aircraft Official (Uncredited)
  31. 1943Action in the North AtlanticBrazilian Gun Captain (uncredited)
  32. 1943Aerial GunnerOfficer in Canteen (uncredited)
  33. 1942You Were Never LovelierJulia's Groom (uncredited)
  34. 1942Lucky JordanPearl's Boyfriend
  35. 1934Private LessonsJohn Humphries
  36. 1930Fast and LooseMan Seated at Table in Speakeasy