KIRK ALYN
John Feggo Jr.
Born: October 10, 1910
Wharton, New Jersey U.S.A.
Died: March 14, 1999
The Woodlands, Texas U.S.A.
KIRK
ALYN
John Feggo Jr.
Born: October 10, 1910
Wharton, New Jersey U.S.A.
Died: March 14, 1999
The Woodlands, Texas U.S.A.
Alyn's career in
show business started in New York, where he appeared in
vaudeville acts and later in chorus lines. His screen career took
off when his friend, Red Skelton, left for Hollywood and Alyn
followed him. In Hollywood, he met another actress/dancer, Virginia
O'Brien. They were married in 1942 and divorced 12 years
later. Alyn never remarried.
Before he played the Man Of Steel in "SUPERMAN,"
Alyn had appeared in such movies as "Guy
Named Joe" and "Overland Mail Robbery."
Alyn was 37 when he donned the cape and tights in the two
15-chapter serials. His name never appeared in the credits of
both serials for the same reason Bud Collyer's was never
used on the radio, to make people believe that Superman
was playing himself! The name "SUPERMAN" was
just placed above the cast in large letters. Alyn also
took other things from Collyer, like the way Clark Kent
raised his voice and Superman lowered his own (This is
something Christopher Reeve would also do in the future). The
voice made the separation of characters more noticeable in light
of Kent's silver wire rim glasses.
After playing Superman and another comic book character, Blackhawk,
Alyn returned to New York, where he appeared in about 12
Broadway plays.
Kirk Alyn died at the age of 88 in The Woodlands, Texas. A
memorial service was held at the Hollywood Temple, March 21, for
family and friends of Alyn.
Kirk Alyn also made a cameo in SUPERMAN: The Movie in 1978 as Lois Lane's father opposite Noel Neill, former Lois Lane in the serials and on TV. At first the scene was cut until it was added into the televised expanded version.
"I didn't think you
could ever put Superman on film. They brought the people
from DC Comics over and they said, 'Hey, he looks just
like Clark Kent.'"
-Kirk Alyn, 1987
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