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Kirk Alyn

Kirk Alyn

Born Oct 8, 1910 Died Mar 14, 1999 (aged 88) · Oxford, New Jersey, USA

Popularity
29%
Movie credits
26
TV credits
3

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.

Known for

Filmography

Acting (44)

  1. 1988

  2. 1986

  3. 1983

  4. 1981

  5. 1980

  6. 1978

  7. 1959

  8. 1958

  9. 1957

  10. 1956

  11. 1955

  12. 1952

  13. 1951

  14. 1950

  15. 1949

  16. 1948

  17. 1947

  18. 1946

  19. 1944

  20. 1943

  21. 1942

  22. 1934

  23. 1930

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