Tom Welling
Tom Welling | |
|---|---|
| Born | Thomas John Patrick Welling |
| Spouse | Jamie White |
Thomas John Patrick Welling (born April 26 1977 in Putnam Valley, New York) is an American actor and former male fashion model, most famous for playing Clark Kent on the television series Smallville.
Biography
Early life
Welling was born in Putnam Valley, New York, the son of a now retired General Motors executive and a homemaker. He has two older sisters, Rebecca and Jamie, and a younger brother, Mark, who is also an actor. His father's job had often required relocation from Putnam Valley, New York to Janesville, Wisconsin, then to Hockessin, Delaware, finally settling in Okemos, Michigan early in Welling's high school junior year.
Active in several team sports including baseball, basketball, Welling excelled as a soccer goalkeeper. He graduated from Okemos High School in 1995, after which he worked as a construction man and continued to live with his parents.
Career
In 1998, Welling was discovered by a catalogue camera scout who suggested he try modeling. In 2000, Welling relocated to Los Angeles where he modeled for Tommy Hilfiger and others, while pursuing an acting career. Welling's first major acting role occurred on six episodes of Judging Amy in 2001, playing opposite Amy Brenneman as a karate teacher and love interest. He later appeared in Special Unit 2 and Undeclared, and was subsequently chosen as Clark Kent in Smallville after a nationwide search. He told TV Guide in an interview that he originally turned down the lead role, but after reading the script, decided to take the job.
In December 2003, Welling played the oldest son of Steve Martin in the big screen adaptation of Cheaper by the Dozen. He has since appeared in the sequel Cheaper by the Dozen 2, and the horror remake of The Fog. Despite internet rumors, Welling was not considered for the part of Superman in the 2006 film Superman Returns because a fresh new face was wanted, according to director Bryan Singer in an interview on the movie's website.
Welling asserts that he is not afraid of the so-called "Superman Curse", in which any actor who dons the tights seems to be typecast for life and/or suffers some tragedy. Moreover, he has not technically played Superman but rather Clark Kent. He has also expressed an interest in producing and directing other projects when the Smallville series ends.
Personal life
Welling married Jamie White on July 5 2002, in Martha's Vineyard, after a three year relationship. He currently lives in Vancouver, where the CW series Smallville is made.
Filmography
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 2007 |
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| 2005 |
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| 2004 | Television Specials |
| 2003 |
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| 2002 | Television Specials |
| 2001 | Television Series
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Trivia
- Height: 6'3" (1.91 m)
- Hair color: Dark Brown
- Eyes: Green
External links
- Tom Welling at IMDb
- Template:Tvtome person
- Tom Welling Smallville cast bio on CWTV
- Interview with Bryan Singer, speaking of casting Superman