Thomas Joseph Welling, popularly known as Tom Welling, is an American actor, director, producer, podcaster, and former model. He was born on April 26, 1977, in Putnam Valley, New York, United States. Welling gained widespread fame for portraying Clark Kent in the hit television series Smallville (2001–2011), which explored Superman’s early years.
Apart from his iconic role as Superman, he has also appeared in Cheaper by the Dozen (2003), The Fog (2005), Lucifer (2017–2018), and The Winchesters (2022). Over the years, Welling has also worked as an executive producer and director, further showcasing his talents in the entertainment industry.
In this article, we will explore Tom Welling’s age, height, weight, career, net worth, early life, family, relationships, physical appearance, and lesser-known facts, among other key details.
Tom Welling Short Details
Field | Details |
---|---|
Full Name | Thomas Joseph Welling |
Stage Name | Tom Welling |
Profession(s) | Actor, Director, Producer, Podcaster, Model |
Hometown | Putnam Valley, New York, USA |
Nationality | American |
Date of Birth | April 26, 1977 |
Age (as of 2025) | 47 years |
Height | 6′3″ (191 cm) |
Weight | 90 kg (198 lbs) |
Eye Color | Green |
Hair Color | Dark Brown |
Zodiac Sign | Taurus |
Religion | Christianity |
Notable For | Smallville, Lucifer, Cheaper by the Dozen |
Years Active | 1998–Present |
Early Life and Education
Tom Welling was born in Putnam Valley, New York, and raised in a family that moved frequently. His family lived in Wisconsin, Delaware, and Michigan. He is of German, Polish, Hungarian, Slovak, Austrian, and British descent.
Welling attended Okemos High School in Okemos, Michigan, where he initially participated in school plays but later shifted his focus to sports, playing baseball, basketball, and soccer. Despite his athletic talents, he chose not to attend college and instead worked in construction after high school.
Career and Achievements
Early Career (1998–2000)
Before acting, Welling worked in construction but was discovered at a party in Nantucket by a casting director from Tommy Hilfiger. This led him to modeling gigs with Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein, and Abercrombie & Fitch. However, he disliked modeling and transitioned to acting in 2000.
His first acting appearances included:
- Angela Via’s music video “Picture Perfect” (2000)
- Guest roles in Judging Amy (2001), Special Unit 2 (2001), and Undeclared (2001)
Breakthrough with Smallville (2001–2011)
Tom Welling’s big break came in 2001 when he was cast as Clark Kent in The WB (later The CW) superhero series Smallville. He initially turned down the role twice, fearing he wasn’t ready, but later accepted it. The pilot episode of Smallville became the highest-rated debut in WB history, attracting 8.4 million viewers.
Throughout Smallville:
- Welling won two Teen Choice Awards.
- He directed seven episodes, including “Fragile” (2006), “Hydro” (2007), and “Booster” (2011).
- He was named one of People magazine’s Breakthrough Stars of 2001.
- He was approached to play Superman in Superman Returns (2006) but declined due to Smallville‘s schedule.
Welling reprised his role as Clark Kent in the 2020 Batwoman episode of Crisis on Infinite Earths, showing an older version of his character who had given up his powers for a normal life.
Post-Smallville Acting Career
After Smallville, Welling appeared in several films and TV shows:
- Cheaper by the Dozen (2003) & Cheaper by the Dozen 2 (2005) – Played Charlie Baker, the eldest son in the Baker family.
- The Fog (2005) – A horror movie where he played Nick Castle.
- Draft Day (2014) – Played Brian Drew, a veteran quarterback.
- The Choice (2016) – A romantic drama.
- Lucifer (2017–2018) – Played Lt. Marcus Pierce/Cain, the main antagonist of Lucifer Season 3.
- The Winchesters (2022) – Played Samuel Campbell.
Production and Directing
Tom Welling has also worked behind the camera:
- Executive Producer of Smallville (Seasons 9 & 10).
- Co-Executive Producer of Hellcats (2010–2011).
- Executive Producer of Professionals (2020).
Podcast
In 2022, Welling and his Smallville co-star Michael Rosenbaum launched “Talkville”, a rewatch podcast where they discuss Smallville episodes.
Family and Relationships
Family Member | Role |
---|---|
Father | Thomas Welling (Retired GM Executive) |
Mother | Bonnie Welling |
Siblings | Mark Welling (Actor), Rebecca Welling, Jamie Welling |
First Wife | Jamie White (m. 2002–div. 2015) |
Second Wife | Jessica Rose Lee (m. 2019–present) |
Children | Thomson Wylde Welling (b. 2019), Rocklin Von Welling (b. 2021) |
Tom Welling was married to Jamie White for 13 years, but they divorced in 2015. He later married Jessica Rose Lee in 2019, and they have two children together.
Physical Appearance
Attribute | Details |
---|---|
Height | 6′3″ (191 cm) |
Weight | 90 kg (198 lbs) |
Eye Color | Green |
Hair Color | Dark Brown |
Tattoos | None |
Distinguishing Feature | Tall height, strong jawline |
Net Worth and Income Sources
As of 2025, Tom Welling’s estimated net worth is $15 million.
Income Source | Details |
---|---|
Acting | Smallville, Lucifer, Films |
Directing & Production | Smallville, Hellcats |
Endorsements & Modeling | Tommy Hilfiger, Calvin Klein |
Podcasting | Talkville |
His salary per episode of Smallville was $175,000 in later seasons.
Lesser-Known Facts
- He was discovered at a party and started modeling before acting.
- Turned down the role of Superman twice before accepting Smallville.
- Was approached for Superman Returns (2006) but declined.
- Had a guest appearance in Supernatural after visiting Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki.
- Almost played Lex Luthor before being cast as Clark Kent.
- Practiced martial arts for Smallville fight scenes.
- Has a fear of interviews and prefers privacy.
- Played basketball, soccer, and baseball in high school.
- Launched a podcast with Michael Rosenbaum in 2022.
- Arrested for DUI on January 28, 2025.
FAQs
- Q: What is Tom Welling’s net worth?
A: $15 million. - Q: How tall is Tom Welling?
A: 6′3″ (191 cm). - Q: Who is Tom Welling’s wife?
A: Jessica Rose Lee (m. 2019). - Q: Why did Tom Welling leave Hollywood?
A: He focused on family, producing, and podcasting.
Conclusion
Tom Welling remains an iconic actor, director, and producer, best known for Smallville. His career has evolved beyond Superman, with roles in Lucifer, The Winchesters, and podcasting. Despite personal challenges, he continues to engage with fans and build his legacy.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information and is for informational purposes only.