Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Birthdate
1910-10-08
Day of Death
1999-03-14
Place of Birth
Oxford, New Jersey, USA
Kirk Alyn
Biography
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 (39)
The Story of Superman
1989
Superman's 50th Anniversary: A Celebration of the Man of Steel
1988
Scalps
1983
The Making of 'Superman: The Movie'
1982
Superbman: The Other Movie
1981
Time Warp
1981
The Halloween Planet
1981
Superman
1978
Banning
1967
No Time to Be Young
1957
Beginning of the End
1957
The Eddy Duchin Story
1956
Blackhawk
1952
When Worlds Collide
1951
