This TV star acknowledges that his wife played a crucial role in saving his life after what he described as a “weird experience.” Aside from this, he has also faced legal troubles.
The seasoned actor rose to fame in the 2000s and remains best recognized for his role in “Smallville.” Years after the series concluded, he now embraces his gray hair and beard, a change that has left fans in awe.
The celebrity’s evolution isn’t just physical — his Hollywood career took an unexpected turn early. At 23, he moved to Los Angeles, hoping to book commercials and modeling jobs. In 2000, he secured a six-episode arc on “Judging Amy.”
“Towards the end of that, I ended up getting ‘Smallville,’ and that was it. Then I was in Vancouver for 10 years [sic],” revealed the actor in an interview.
During its decade-long run, “Smallville” — aired on The WB before moving to The CW — produced more than 200 action-packed episodes. While the show brought him success, leading such a massive production proved overwhelming.
“I spent ten years where my life was 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. on set,” the TV star shared. The demanding schedule left him disconnected from loved ones across the country. To cope, “I just put my head in a hole and basically blocked everybody and everything out,” he divulged.
After a decade of nonstop work, leaving “Smallville” in 2011 allowed him to pause and reevaluate. Once filming ended, he retreated to his East Coast beach house, a familiar getaway from his summer hiatuses.
“I needed a break,” he admitted. “I needed to figure out what was going on in my head a little bit. There was some adjusting that I needed to get back into real life and to make up for lost time as well. I was like, ‘Guys, I’m out of here.'”
However, the escape that once recharged him no longer had the same effect. “The two months that you spend at the beach loses some of its intrinsic value when you don’t have anything you’re running away from or have to go back to [sic],” the Hollywood star explained.
The quiet made him feel like he had already retired, forcing him to confront what came next. “It sort of woke me up. But it needed to happen,” he said.
As he adjusted to life after “Smallville,” his personal life also underwent significant changes. During his time on the show and several years after, he was married to model Jamie White. The two wed in July 2002, but after a decade together, their marriage ended in November 2015.
Their settlement, finalized in 2019, required him to pay spousal support for five years, though no fixed amount was set. He was obligated to give White 20 percent of his net professional income, but with a cap — any earnings beyond $5 million per year remained his.
Despite the split, he remained active in the industry, starring in projects like “Draft Day.” Legal documents revealed that he and White owned multiple properties and luxury cars. She kept most of the horses while he retained Tomahawk as part of the settlement.
Amid professional stability and personal changes, he found love again. In November 2019, the celebrity married Jessica Rose Lee, and they welcomed two sons.
In June 2021, the mother of the Hollywood star’s children introduced their youngest son to the world on Instagram, “Rocklin Von, welcome to your family.”
By May 2024, the proud mother of two posted a family photo on the platform, captioned, “grateful for these guys that made me a mama [sic].”
That same year, her famous husband, Tom Welling, faced a serious health scare, which he later opened up about on the “Inside of You Clips” podcast. The “Cheaper by the Dozen” star acknowledged the support he received from those closest to him, “Jessica kind of, literally saved my life.”
His parents rushed to be by his side, and co-star and podcast host Michael Rosenbaum visited him in the hospital. During the interview, Welling expressed his gratitude, thanking Rosenbaum for being there during a difficult time.
He admitted that the visit allowed him to talk through the “frustrations” he was dealing with as he recovered. The incident could have been much worse, but luck — and his wife — were on his side.
“My wife Jessica was standing to my right. If I had fallen to my left, there would’ve been more serious consequences,” Welling recalled. Instead, he collapsed to the right, and she helped guide him to the ground. By the time he regained consciousness, he was already in the hospital.
Fortunately, he fully recovered. However, he acknowledged that his wife, who was pregnant with their oldest son, Thomson Welling, endured the ordeal even more. “I was unconscious, so she had to deal with the situation more than I did,” he admitted.
A year after opening up about his health scare, Welling faced another challenge. In January 2025, he was arrested just after midnight in an Arby’s parking lot in Yreka, California.
Local authorities took him into custody for allegedly driving under the influence, with reports indicating that his blood alcohol level was at or above 0.08 percent.
Now, at 47, the New York native embraces his gray hair and beard. He once shared behind-the-scenes moments from the set of “Mafia Wars” on Instagram. “#BTS on #MafiaWars Outstanding cast and crew. Had an amazing experience filming this project, hope you enjoyed it!” he wrote.
Fans responded enthusiastically, praising his appearance. One noted, “You still look so amazing, Tom!” Another exclaimed, “Unreal!” while someone else added, “You are awesome, Tom, you are great and gorgeous!”
Another comment read, “Sooo awesome and exciting!!!” with another fan sharing, “Sick! Looking cool, Tom.” Others described him as a “legend” and remarked, “He looks very cool with that beard.” One fan summed it up, “Still looking good! I can’t wait to watch it!”
Tom Welling’s evolution from “Smallville” stardom to embracing new roles and personal milestones showcases his enduring appeal and adaptability. He continues to captivate fans with his talent, charisma, and charm.