Kirk Alyn, first Superman, born 1910

Kirk Alyn, born October 8, 1910 in Oxford, New Jersey, was the first actor to play the live version of Superman.  He starred as the Man of Steel in serials from 1948 to 1950 with Noel Neill as Lois Lane.  She would go on to reprise the role in Adventures of Superman with George Reeves in the title role.

He passed away in March 1999.

"Adventures of Superman" premieres 1952

Adventures of Superman, starring George Reeves in the title role, first appeared on television September 19, 1952.  It ran for six seasons and ended after Reeves' passing in 1959.  Phyllis Coates played Lois Lane in the first season and, after she left the show, Noel Neill replaced her for the rest of the series.