Kirk Alyn
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.
Acted in
The Story of Superman
1989
as Self / Clark Kent / Superman (archival footage)
Superman's 50th Anniversary: A Celebration of the Man of Steel
1988
as Self
Horrible Horror
1986
as Superman in 'Superman'
Scalps
1983
as Prof. Manchen
Superbman: The Other Movie
1981
as Pa Cant
Time Warp
1981
The Halloween Planet
1981
as The Watcher
The Making of 'Superman: The Movie'
1980
as Self
Superman
1978
as Sam Lane (uncredited)
Battlestar Galactica
1978
as Old Man
Dennis the Menace
1959
Naked City
1958
as Sgt. Muller
The Donna Reed Show
1958
No Time to Be Young
1957
as Mike
Beginning of the End
1957
as Bomber Pilot
The Eddy Duchin Story
1956
as Young Man at Wadsworths' Party (uncredited)
Highway Patrol
1955
as Coordinating Officer at Headquarters
Buffalo Bill Jr.
1955
Blackhawk
1952
as Blackhawk
When Worlds Collide
1951
as Rioter Bringing Guns (uncredited)
The Adventures of Kit Carson
1951
Gambling House
1950
as FBI Man (uncredited)
Lux Video Theatre
1950
as Bill Waterman
Atom Man vs. Superman
1950
as Superman, alias Clark Kent
Radar Patrol vs. Spy King
1949
as Chris Calvert
Federal Agents vs. Underworld, Inc.
1949
as Inspector David Worth
The Three Musketeers
1948
as Aramis' Friend (uncredited)
Superman
1948
as Superman, alias Clark Kent
Little Miss Broadway
1947
as Mel O'Brien
The Trap
1946
as Sgt. Reynolds
The Time of Their Lives
1946
as Dandy at Party (uncredited)
Daughter of Don Q
1946
as Cliff Roberts
The Girl Who Dared
1944
as Josh Carroll
Call of the Rockies
1944
as Ned Crane
Forty Thieves
1944
as Jerry Doyle
A Guy Named Joe
1943
as Officer in Heaven (uncredited)
Pistol Packin' Mama
1943
as J. Leslie Burton III
Mystery Broadcast
1943
as Young Policeman (uncredited)
Overland Mail Robbery
1943
as Tom Hartley
The Man from the Rio Grande
1943
as Editor Tom Traynor
Swing Shift Maisie
1943
as Victory Aircraft Official (Uncredited)
Action in the North Atlantic
1943
as Brazilian Gun Captain (uncredited)
Aerial Gunner
1943
as Officer in Canteen (uncredited)
You Were Never Lovelier
1942
as Julia's Groom (uncredited)
Lucky Jordan
1942
as Pearl's Boyfriend
Private Lessons
1934
as John Humphries
Fast and Loose
1930
as Man Seated at Table in Speakeasy