profile image

Kirk Alyn

Oct 08, 1910 - Mar 14, 1999 (88 years old) in 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.

Known For

poster
Dennis the Menace
poster
Naked City
Sgt. Muller
poster
The Adventures of Kit Carson
poster
The Donna Reed Show
poster
Lux Video Theatre
Bill Waterman
poster
Battlestar Galactica
Old Man
poster
Highway Patrol
Coordinating Officer at Headquarters
poster
Superman
Sam Lane (uncredited)
poster
Buffalo Bill Jr.
poster
When Worlds Collide
Rioter Bringing Guns (uncredited)

Credits