Kirk Alyn
Biography
Kirk Alyn was an American actor who became the first performer to bring Superman to live-action film. Born in Oxford, New Jersey, he began his career as a chorus boy in 1930s Broadway musicals including Hellzapoppin', Girl Crazy and Of Thee I Sing, and also sang and danced in vaudeville. He moved to Hollywood in the early 1940s, where bit parts in low-budget features led to the title role in the 1948 serial Superman, followed by Atom Man vs. Superman (1950). He also appeared in serials such as Blackhawk (1952), Federal Agents Vs. Underworld Inc. (1948) and Radar Patrol Vs. Spy King (1950). Later screen work included a cameo as Sam Lane in Superman (1978) and a final film role in Scalps (1983). He published an autobiography, A Job for Superman, in 1971, received the Inkpot Award in 1974, and was among DC Comics' Fifty Who Made DC Great in 1985.
88years old at death
- Born Oxford
- Died The Woodlands
- Star sign: LibraThe sign runs September 23 to October 22
Movie Career
- Films
- 11
- Career span
- 46 years1942 to 1988
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First role
Alyn began his career as a chorus boy in Broadway musicals, appearing in Girl Crazy, Of Thee I Sing and Hellzapoppin' during the 1930s.
Big break
Alyn was 37 when he played Superman. People from D.C. Comics came over, said he looked like Clark Kent, and told him to take off his shirt, so he did and flexed his muscles.
A role that slipped away
According to reports, Alyn turned down the chance to play Superman in the 1951 television version. He had been offered the part but refused it.
Getting ready for a role
For Superman's flight, Alyn jumped and was then replaced by an animated character through rotoscoping; hidden wires he tried first were visible and that footage was scrapped.
Kirk Alyn movies on Netflix
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
- Superman's 50th Anniversary: A Celebration of the Man of Steel1988as Himself
IMDb rating 5.5217 votes
Most often with
Spencer Gordon Bennet directed two of these films. Noel Neill appears in three of them, more than any other actor. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.
Films together
Noel Neill's page
Irving Bacon's page
Pierre Watkin's page
Jack Ingram's page
Terry Frost's page
Tommy Bond's page
Spencer Gordon BennetDirector, 2 films, 1948 to 1950
All films by Spencer Gordon Bennet
Awards
One award and honor.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other honors | |||
| 1974 | Inkpot Award | Won | |
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.