“Tom Welling — where in the world is he these days?” is a question you might well be asking yourself, especially if you’re a Superman fan. Welling, now 47, is best known for his role as Clark Kent / Superman in the TV series “Smallville,” which ran from 2001 to 2011 and placed the world at his feet. Since then, the years have rolled by and the actor who played the world’s most superhero has faded almost into obscurity. Below is a look at Welling’s acting career, including some of his most successful appearances, and at what he’s doing these days.

Acting wasn’t the original plan

When he first left college, Tom, who was born in Putnam Valley, New York, had wanted to be a construction worker and had made it into the trade before going into modelling instead. When the opportunity to get on the silver screen came, even though it was just the small silver screen to begin with, the New Yorker took it.

Smallville (2001)

Welling turned down the role of Clark Kent twice before taking the plunge in front of the camera. It was a big part, and he’d been frightened people didn’t think he was a good enough actor for the role. However, he’d also felt the opportunity was a good one and could lead to big things. Welling plays a young, awkward Clark Kent who, as he transitions from boyhood into adulthood, understands he has a level of strength and unusual abilities that set him considerably and comfortably apart from others.

Cheaper by the Dozen (2003)

Welling didn’t only appear on the small screen, though, and is best remembered in Hollywood for his appearance alongside the legendary comedian and comic actor Steve Martin, and actress, comedian, director and producer Bonnie Hunt, in “Cheaper by the Dozen.” Welling starred as Charlie Baker in this crazy comedy in which father Tom Baker agrees to look after all 12 of his kids and, at the same time, coach his new football team while his wife is on a book tour. Welling played the role again in the sequel, which came out in 2005.

The Fog (2005)

Welling stars as Nick Castle in this classic remake of the John Carpenter film. In the movie, a mysterious fog rolls through a small coastal town in Oregon and brings evil to its inhabitants. They must fight for their lives and, to stop the evil, learn the unpleasant history of their town, which includes the murder of sailors some hundred years earlier. Despite not being a hit at the box office, the film earned admiration of film critics.

Draft Day (2014)

In the sports drama “Draft Day” Welling stars as Brian Drew. Kevin Costner plays the lead role of the general manager of the Cleveland Browns on draft day, the biggest day in the NFL and popular with anyone who enjoys betting on NFL lines. In the movie, pressure mounts on Costner’s fictional character when the Browns obtain the first-round draft pick in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks. The team’s new ranking triggers tensions and everyone seems to harbor an opinion about what the manager’s next move should be.

Lucifer (2016-2021)

Season three of the TV series “Lucifer” saw Welling return to the small screen and play an extremely charming police lieutenant. The series is all about Lucifer Morningstar, a servant in Hell who decides he’s had enough of the role and comes to Earth to understand humanity.

To star in the series, Welling had to agree to do at least 10 episodes. The role was convenient for him because he lived in LA, which is where the makers were shooting the series, and because two projects he’d been discussing hadn’t worked out. Welling confessed all these reasons for taking the role in an interview with digital entertainment magazine Entertainment Weekly.

What’s going on with Tom Welling these days?

In the 2020s, Welling has appeared with Brendan Fraser in “Professionals,” but unfortunately, the series hasn’t caught on. The CW axed it after one season and then farmed it out to other platforms.

That might not bother Welling because there has been speculation he may appear in a “Smallville” movie. He’s proud of his work on the popular series and is believed to be open to hearing what anyone wishing to make a “Smallville” movie would have to say.

Tom Welling, the actor who played a young Clark Kent and shot to fame in “Smallville,” lives and works relatively under the radar these days, preferring small screen work to movies. Whether he’ll return to the big screen is anyone’s guess, but if you want to see other works besides the above, you can catch him in “The Choice” (2016) and the TV series “Hellcats” and “Batwoman.”