Tom Welling as "Clark Kent"

Thomas John Patrick "Tom" Welling (born April 26, 1977) is an American actor, director and former fashion model, most famous for his continuing portrayal of Clark Kent in the television series Smallville. His films include Cheaper by the Dozen and its sequel, and the 2005 remake of The Fog.

Early Life

Welling was born in Putnam Valley, New York, the son of a now retired General Motors executive father and a homemaker mother. He has two older sisters, Rebecca and Jamie, and a younger brother, Mark, who is also an actor. His father's job required frequent relocation, and Welling's family moved from Putnam Valley, New York to Janesville, Wisconsin, then to Hockessin, Delaware, until finally settling in Okemos, Michigan early in his junior year of high school. Active in several team sports including baseball and basketball, Welling was also a third string soccer goalkeeper. He graduated from Okemos High School in 1995, and then worked in construction while continuing to live with his parents.

Career

In 1998, Welling was discovered by a catalogue camera scout at a party in Nantucket who suggested he try modeling. In 2000, Welling relocated to Los Angeles where he modeled for Tommy Hilfiger, Abercrombie & Fitch, Calvin Klein and other print ad campaigns, while pursuing an acting career. He appeared in some commercials and a music video. Welling's first major acting role was as karate teacher Rob Meltzer, a younger love interest of Amy Brenneman's character on the CBS series Judging Amy, that aired in 2001. Welling also had a small role in UPN's Special Unit 2, and he also appeared in the debut episode of the FOX sitcom Undeclared.

He was cast in the television series Smallville, after a nationwide search for an actor to play Clark Kent. Smallville explores the early years of Clark growing up, in the times before he is Superman. The pilot aired in October 2001, and became the highest rated debut for The WB, with 8.4 million viewers. He told TV Guide that he originally turned down the lead role twice, but after reading the script, decided to take the job. Like Christopher Reeve, he was not a big Superman fan prior to being cast as Clark Kent, and in fact continues to not read Superman comics. He was named one of People magazine’s "Breakthrough Stars of 2001", and also won the Teen Choice Award as "Choice Breakout Star (Male)" in 2002 for his role as Clark Kent.
In December 2003, Welling played Charlie Baker, the oldest son in a family of 12 children in the film Cheaper by the Dozen, a remake of the 1950 original. The film also starred Steve Martin, Bonnie Hunt and Hilary Duff. In 2005, Welling appeared in two films. He played Nick Castle in The Fog, a remake of John Carpenter's 1980 film of the same name. He also reprised his role as Charlie Baker in Cheaper by the Dozen 2. Welling also marked his directorial debut in 2006, with the season five episode of Smallville, "Fragile". He directed a second episode during season six, Hydro, also the show's 150th episode, "Apocalypse", and the episode "Injustice" in season 8. He also played Bizarro, Lionel Luthor, and a young Jor-El on Smallville, as well as Clark Kent with various altered personalities.

Starting in Season 9, he will be co-executive producer for Smallville.

In July 2009, for the first time ever, Welling attended the annual Comic-Con convention.

In August 2009, Welling won another Teen Choice Award as "Choice TV Actor (Action Adventure)" for Smallville.

Personal life

On July 5, 2002, Tom married his long time sweetheart Jamie White. He and his wife currently reside in Vancouver with their two dogs.