Superpowered: The DC Story
2023 · TV Show
as Self (archive footage)
Kirk Alyn
1910-10-08
•
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 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
The Story of Superman
1989 · Movie
as Self / Clark Kent / Superman (archival footage)
Superman's 50th Anniversary: A Celebration of the Man of Steel
1988 · Movie
as Self
Scalps
1983 · Movie
as Prof. Manchen
The Making of 'Superman: The Movie'
1982 · Movie
as Self
Superbman: The Other Movie
1981 · Movie
as Pa Cant
Time Warp
1981 · Movie
The Halloween Planet
1981 · Movie
as The Watcher
Superman
1978 · Movie
as Sam Lane (uncredited)
Battlestar Galactica
1978 · TV Show
as Old Man
Banning
1967 · Movie
as Bidder (uncredited)
Dennis the Menace
1959 · TV Show
Naked City
1958 · TV Show
as Sgt. Muller
The Donna Reed Show
1958 · TV Show
No Time to Be Young
1957 · Movie
as Mike
Beginning of the End
1957 · Movie
as Bomber Pilot
The Eddy Duchin Story
1956 · Movie
as Young Man at Wadsworths' Party (uncredited)
Highway Patrol
1955 · TV Show
as Coordinating Officer at Headquarters
Buffalo Bill Jr.
1955 · TV Show
Blackhawk
1952 · Movie
as Blackhawk
When Worlds Collide
1951 · Movie
as Rioter Bringing Guns (uncredited)
The Adventures of Kit Carson
1951 · TV Show
Atom Man vs. Superman
1950 · Movie
as Superman, alias Clark Kent
Gambling House
1950 · Movie
as FBI Man (uncredited)
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Lux Video Theatre
1950 · TV Show
as Bill Waterman
Radar Patrol vs. Spy King
1949 · Movie
as Chris Calvert
Federal Agents vs. Underworld, Inc.
1949 · Movie
as Inspector David Worth
The Three Musketeers
1948 · Movie
as Aramis' Friend (uncredited)
Superman
1948 · Movie
as Superman, alias Clark Kent
Little Miss Broadway
1947 · Movie
as Mel O'Brien
The Trap
1946 · Movie
as Sgt. Reynolds
Daughter of Don Q
1946 · Movie
as Cliff Roberts
The Time of Their Lives
1946 · Movie
as Dandy at Party (uncredited)
The Girl Who Dared
1944 · Movie
as Josh Carroll
Call of the Rockies
1944 · Movie
as Ned Crane
Forty Thieves
1944 · Movie
as Jerry Doyle
A Guy Named Joe
1944 · Movie
as Officer in Heaven (uncredited)
Mystery Broadcast
1943 · Movie
as Young Policeman (uncredited)
Aerial Gunner
1943 · Movie
as Officer in Canteen (uncredited)
Pistol Packin' Mama
1943 · Movie
as J. Leslie Burton III
The Man from the Rio Grande
1943 · Movie
as Editor Tom Traynor
Overland Mail Robbery
1943 · Movie
as Tom Hartley
Action in the North Atlantic
1943 · Movie
as Brazilian Gun Captain (uncredited)
Swing Shift Maisie
1943 · Movie
as Victory Aircraft Official (Uncredited)
You Were Never Lovelier
1942 · Movie
as Julia's Groom (uncredited)
Lucky Jordan
1942 · Movie
as Pearl's Boyfriend
Private Lessons
1934 · Movie
as John Humphries
Fast and Loose
1930 · Movie
as Man Seated at Table in Speakeasy
