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.
Acting
Movie
Superman
as Sam Lane (uncredited)
1978
TV
Battlestar Galactica
as Old Man
1978
Movie
When Worlds Collide
as Rioter Bringing Guns (uncredited)
1951
Movie
The Three Musketeers
as Aramis' Friend (uncredited)
1948
Movie
You Were Never Lovelier
as Julia's Groom (uncredited)
1942
Movie
Action in the North Atlantic
as Brazilian Gun Captain (uncredited)
1943
Movie
A Guy Named Joe
as Officer in Heaven (uncredited)
1944
Movie
The Time of Their Lives
as Dandy at Party (uncredited)
1946
Movie
Scalps
as Prof. Manchen
1983
Movie
Beginning of the End
as Bomber Pilot
1957
Movie
The Eddy Duchin Story
as Young Man at Wadsworths' Party (uncredited)
1956
TV
Dennis the Menace
1959
Movie
Superman
as Superman, alias Clark Kent
1948
TV
Superpowered: The DC Story
as Self (archive footage)
2023
Movie
The Trap
as Sgt. Reynolds
1946
TV
The Donna Reed Show
1958
Movie
Atom Man vs. Superman
as Superman, alias Clark Kent
1950
Movie
Gambling House
as FBI Man (uncredited)
1950
Movie
Banning
as Bidder (uncredited)
1967
TV
Naked City
as Sgt. Muller
1958
Movie
Fast and Loose
as Man Seated at Table in Speakeasy
1930
TV
Highway Patrol
as Coordinating Officer at Headquarters
1955
Movie
No Time to Be Young
as Mike
1957
Movie
The Making of 'Superman: The Movie'
as Self
1982