Tom Welling, best known for his role as Clark Kent on the popular TV show Smallville, has left a lasting impression on the entertainment industry and won the hearts of many viewers. The former high school athlete and fashion model for numerous big brands got his start in showbusiness as Rob, a recurring character on Judging Amy‘s second season. Soon after, following a nationwide search, Welling was finally cast as Clark Kent in The WB superhero show that made him a star. 

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Decades later, Welling’s most famous role remains his portrayal of the young Superman, whose charismatic grin and gentle eyes helped lure millions of fans to The WB and later The CW. Although Welling only appeared in a few films during and after Smallville, his acting skills were never confined to the fictional city of Metropolis. 

In his later outings like Cheaper by the Dozen and Draft Day, Welling showed off his likability and acting chops, and he developed a body of work demonstrating his capacity to give his characters depth, realism, and emotional resonance, so it’s the perfect time to dig out his most recognizable roles to date.

10. Judging Amy (2001)

Welling made his acting debut in the second season of the 2001 CBS legal drama Judging Amy as Rob “Karate Rob” Meltzer, a younger love interest of Amy Gray (Amy Brenneman). Welling was only supposed to appear in three episodes, but his performance was so well-received that the creators decided to keep him around for another three. 

Judging Amy ran for eight seasons, from 1999 to 2005, with star Brenneman also writing and producing. The show followed Amy Gray, a family court judge in Hartford, Connecticut, who is a single mother and a recent divorcee as she balanced being a judge with other responsibilities, like raising her daughter Lauren. Cases of child abuse, marital violence, and custody disputes were among those explored. 

9. The Choice (2016)

Directed by Ross Katz and written by Bryan Sipe, The Choice is a 2016 American romantic drama film based on Nicholas Sparks’ 2007 novel of the same name, which tells the story of two neighbors who fell in love upon their first meeting. Welling joined Benjamin Walker, Teresa Palmer, Maggie Grace, Alexandra Daddario, and more adaptation. The film follows Travis Shaw (Benjamin Walker), a veterinarian in Wilmington, North Carolina, who falls in love with Gabby Holland (Teresa Palmer), who has just moved in next door. 

While Travis is having a boisterous backyard barbecue replete with loud music, Gabby is attempting to study next door, and things get off to a bumpy start for them. Gabby is a medical student in a committed relationship with Ryan McCarthy (Welling), an established physician. Welling plays the guy who loses his fiancée but still manages to be intriguing. He’s also to thank for one of the best parts of The Choice,when Ryan finally gets even with arrogant Travis for his role in his and Gabby’s breakup.

8. Professionals (2020)

Starring Brendan Fraser alongside Welling, Professionals is a spin-off to the 2012 film Soldiers of Fortune. The thriller is set in the context of international espionage and corporate sabotage during the privately funded space race of the 21st century, with the actor playing a resentful ex-counterintelligence officer named Captain Vincent Corbo. 

After the failure of their cutting-edge medical satellite during deployment, Peter Swann (Fraser), a wealthy futurist, and his fiancee, Dr. Graciela “Grace” Davila (Anaya), a medical visionary, turn to Corbo for help. Corbo assembles a group of seasoned investigators to look into the matter. Filming for the show took place in 2019 in both South Africa and Ireland. After being picked up by CW in 2021, the first season’s 10 episodes debuted in October of that year in the United States. 

7. The Fog (2005)

The Fog, a 2005 supernatural horror film directed by Rupert Wainwright and starring Welling, Selma Blair, and Maggie Grace, marked the former’s first entry into the horror genre. John Carpenter and Debra Hill – who authored the original 1980 original – served as producers on this remake. 

The do-over tells the tale of a mysterious fog descending over an island village off Oregon’s coast, carrying with it the vengeful spirits of sailors killed there 134 years earlier. When the town’s history finally comes to light, the residents find themselves trapped and struggling for survival. Welling’s Nick Castle is a local fisherman drawn into the conflict between good and evil forces released by the fog.

6. Cheaper by the Dozen (2003)

Cheaper by the Dozen was released in 2003, and directed by Shawn Levy. It’s a reimagining of the 1950 movie of the same name, with Frank Bunker Gilbreth Jr. and his sister Ernestine Gilbreth Carey writing the semi-autobiographical book that served as the basis for both. 

In addition to Steve Martin, Welling, and Bonnie Hunt, the cast includes Hilary Duff and Piper Perabo. The story follows the Bakers, a family of twelve, trying to make it through their hectic daily life. The star’s Charlie Baker is the family’s eldest son, representing the prototypical charismatic and athletic high school senior struggling with identity and direction.

5. Draft Day (2014)

Also starring Kevin Costner and Jennifer Garner, Draft Day is a 2014 sports drama directed by Ivan Reitman. The film follows Sonny Weaver Jr. (Kevin Costner), general manager of the Cleveland Browns, as he makes decisions in the NFL draft’s high-stakes world after the Browns acquired the first overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft.

Welling’s Brian Drew is the starting quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks. He’s a significant player in the draft, and the possibility of a trade for him becomes a major part of the story. His nuanced performance perfectly depicts the hopes, fears, and internal struggles of a young athlete on the rise.

4. Parkland (2013) 

In the 2013 film Parkland, Welling portrays Roy Kellermanin the historical drama that depicts the events surrounding the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963. Kellerman, was a Secret Service agent in the motorcade with President Kennedy at the time of the assassination, and he plays a significant role in the film, as he was responsible for the safety and protection of the President during that fateful day in Dallas, Texas.

In Parkland, we see the world through the eyes of several regular people who find themselves in exceptional circumstances. These people include the young medical staff at Parkland Hospital, the Secret Service director in Dallas, the bystander who shot the most famous home movie in history, the FBI agents who met with Lee Harvey Oswald shortly before the assassination, Oswald’s brother, who was left to deal with his devastated family, and JFK’s security team. 

3. The Winchesters (2022)

As a prologue to the long-running series Supernatural, The Winchesters reveals the epic love story of how John Winchester first met Mary Campbell and risked everything to protect their love and the world. John’s effort to uncover his father’s history begins after he returns from Vietnam. 

Along the way, he meets Mary, a demon hunter of 19 years, who is likewise looking for closure after her father’s disappearance—the two team up to investigate each other’s families and get the truth. Sam Winchester’s namesake, Samuel Campbell, played by Welling, is Sam and Dean’s maternal grandpa. Tough and no-nonsense, he’s a grizzled Hunter veteran who puts his money where his mouth is. 

2. Smallville (2001-2011)

The popular TV series Smallville, which ran from 2001 to 2011, gave viewers a new and exciting take on the classic DC Comics hero. Welling’s portrayal of Clark Kent resonated with viewers all around the world, making him an integral part of the show’s popularity. 

Throughout Smallville’s 10 seasons, audiences saw Clark Kent transform into the legendary Superman, with the leading man’s performance highlighting the character’s physical and emotional development as he learned to control his abilities and accept his role as an icon of optimism. The actor expertly portrayed Clark’s growth into the hero he was destined to be, from his early problems with identification and acceptance to the eventual embracing of his destiny.

1. Lucifer (2019-2021)

Welling joined the cast of this hit show for its third season, playing Lieutenant Marcus Pierce, a mysterious yet charismatic police lieutenant with a stern demeanor. When viewers learn that Pierce is keeping a terrible secret from them, it adds a whole new dimension of suspense and drama to the show. Pierce stands out because of the complex blend of charisma, sensitivity, and concealed tension he brings to the role. 

His portrayal of the character is layered and multifaceted, skillfully negotiating the character’s confused thoughts about love, responsibility, and inner demons. Welling’s onscreen connection with his fellow performers is evident through his interactions with Tom Ellis’s colorful Lucifer Morningstar and Lauren German’s Detective Chloe Decker, integrating his newcomer perfectly into the show’s intricate dynamics.