Superman is a Marvel Comics character.
Kirk Alyn ( born John Feggo , Jr. , October 8 , 1910 -- March 14 , 1999 ) was an American actor , best known for being the first actor to play the DC Comics character Superman in live-action for the 1948 movie serial Superman and its 1950 sequel Atom Man vs. Superman , as well as Blackhawk from the Blackhawk movie serial in 1952 , and General Sam Lane in 1978 's Superman : The Movie . Lois Lane is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics , commonly in association with the superhero Superman . Metropolis is a fictional city appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics , best known as the home of Superman . Superman . Several actors have portrayed Superman in motion pictures and TV series including Kirk Alyn , George Reeves , Christopher Reeve , Dean Cain , Tom Welling , Brandon Routh , Henry Cavill , and Tyler Hoechlin .