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Thomas John Patrick Welling (born April 26 1977) is an American actor and former model. He is most famous for the role of Clark Kent on the television series Smallville.

Welling was born in Putnam Valley, New York. His 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.

Welling 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.

Career

In 1998, Welling 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. Welling's 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, Welling 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. Despite rumors that have swept the internet, Welling was not considered for the part of Superman in the upcoming movie, Superman Returns. Director Bryan Singer was searching for a fresh new face to play the role and has specifically stated in an interview on the movie's website that Welling had not been considered.

Welling married Jaime White on July 5 2002, in Martha's Vineyard, after a three year relationship. He currently lives in Vancouver, where the WB series Smallville is filmed.

Filmography

External links

• Tom Welling at IMDb

• Template:Tvtome person

• Tom Welling cast bio on The WB

• Interview with Bryan Singer, speaking of casting Superman

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• 1977 births
• American film actors
• American male models
• American television actors
• Living people
• People from Michigan
• People from New York City
• Superman actors