Thomas John Patrick Welling (born April 26, 1977 in New York City) is an American actor and former model. He is most famous for the role of Clark Kent on the TV series Smallville.
Biography
Welling's father is a retired General Motors executive and his mother a home engineer. He has two older sisters, Rebecca and Jamie and a younger brother, Mark, who is also an actor. His father's job often required relocation, first moving from Putnam Valley, New York (his birthplace) to Hockessin, Delaware, then settling in Okemos, Michigan at the beginning of Tom's junior year in high school.
He was active in many team sports including baseball, basketball and excelling in soccer, playing the position of goalkeeper. He graduated from Okemos High School in 1995. After graduation he worked as a construction worker and continued to live with his parents.
In 1998, Tom was discovered by a catalogue shoot scout who suggested he try modeling. In 2000, Welling relocated to Los Angeles where he modeled for Tommy Hilfiger and others, while simultaneously pursuing an acting career.
His first major role was six episodes on Judging Amy in 2001, playing opposite Amy Brenneman, and as a love interest and karate teacher. He later appeared in Special Unit 2 and Undeclared. He was chosen as Clark Kent in Smallville after a nationwide search.
In December 2003 he played the oldest son of Steve Martin in the big screen adaptation of Cheaper by the Dozen. He has now since appeared in the sequel Cheaper by the Dozen 2, and the horror remake of The Fog.
Tom married Jaime White on July 5, 2002, in Martha's Vineyard, after a three year relationship.
He currently resides in Vancouver, where the WB series Smallville is filmed.
Trivia
- Officially, Tom Welling has said he is just under 6 ft 3 in. (189 cm). In E!Online he stated: "I'm almost six-foot-three".
- Tom Welling apparently turned down the role of Clark Kent when first approached.
Filmography
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 2005 |
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| 2004 | Television Specials |
| 2003 |
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| 2002 | Television Specials |
| 2001 | Television Series
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