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