Kirk Alyn
Acting
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.
When Worlds Collide
as Rioter Bringing Guns (uncredited)
Age 40 (now 88)
You Were Never Lovelier
as Julia's Groom (uncredited)
Age 32 (now 88)
Action in the North Atlantic
as Brazilian Gun Captain (uncredited)
Age 32 (now 88)
The Time of Their Lives
as Dandy at Party (uncredited)
Age 35 (now 88)
The Eddy Duchin Story
as Young Man at Wadsworths' Party (uncredited)
Age 45 (now 88)
The Story of Superman
as Self / Clark Kent / Superman (archival footage)
Age 78 (now 88)
Superman's 50th Anniversary: A Celebration of the Man of Steel
as Self
Age 77 (now 88)
The Making of 'Superman: The Movie'
as Self
Age 71 (now 88)
The Eddy Duchin Story
as Young Man at Wadsworths' Party (uncredited)
Age 45 (now 88) When Worlds Collide
as Rioter Bringing Guns (uncredited)
Age 40 (now 88)
Federal Agents vs. Underworld, Inc.
as Inspector David Worth
Age 38 (now 88)
The Time of Their Lives
as Dandy at Party (uncredited)
Age 35 (now 88)
The Man from the Rio Grande
as Editor Tom Traynor
Age 33 (now 88)
Swing Shift Maisie
as Victory Aircraft Official (Uncredited)
Age 32 (now 88) Action in the North Atlantic
as Brazilian Gun Captain (uncredited)
Age 32 (now 88)
You Were Never Lovelier
as Julia's Groom (uncredited)
Age 32 (now 88)
Superpowered: The DC Story
as Self (archive footage)
Age 112 (now 88)
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IMDB
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