What The Stars Of Smallville Are Up To Now

There have been plenty of television series centered around Superman and his associated characters over the years, but "Smallville" stands out as one of the greatest. That's not to say the others aren't fantastic, but "Smallville" helped redefine the Man of Steel for a new generation, and it did it without letting the Last Son of Krypton fly until the very end. That kind of boldness requires excellent storytelling, and "Smallville" nailed it ... most of the time.

The series was on the air for 10 seasons, from 2001 to 2011, and was filled with some exceptional talent. Tom Welling's take on Clark Kent managed to reinvent the comic book character for new audiences by instilling his charm and charisma into a genuinely likable character, hearkening back to Christopher Reeve's take on Superman. Of course, he didn't knock out 217 episodes on his own. He had an impressive roster of co-stars, helping to bring Smallville, Metropolis, and the rest of Superman's universe to life.

Michael Rosenbaum arguably played the best version of Lex Luthor seen on a live-action television series. His love-turned loathing of Clark defined the series as much as Kristin Kreuk's Lana Lang. The cast was brilliant, and the core characters who fleshed out Superman's adolescence feature some high-profile players. The series has been off the air for over a decade, but the actors haven't all retired. Here's what the stars of "Smallville" are up to these days.

Tom Welling took on the role of Clark Kent in "Smallville" and elevated the character significantly over his more well-known alter ego. His work before "Smallville" was limited, and the show was one of his first acting jobs. He entered the industry through modeling for Abercrombie & Fitch and Calvin Klein, among others, before making the switch to acting. He had a few appearances on "Judging Amy" and other shows before landing his career-defining role on "Smallville," and he's kept himself busy ever since.

Welling began a film career in 2003 by playing Charlie Baker in "Cheaper by the Dozen," and he refocused on film after "Smallville." He was in a few movies between 2013 and 2016, before returning to the small screen to play Cain on "Lucifer." In 2019, he returned to his roots in the crossover episode of "Batwoman" during the "Crisis on Infinite Earths" story arc. He then landed the role of Vincent Corbo on "Professionals," so the man has been consistently working.

Still, you don't see Welling's name in the headlines often, leading many to wonder what happened to him. He's been working but hasn't been in anything as high-profile as the role that made him famous. Welling also prefers privacy to the spotlight. In 2003, he told the Spartanburg Herald-Journal, "I don't want to be a celebrity for the sake of being a celebrity. I wanna work and then go home and live in private. You won't see me in the tabloids." 

Like most of his co-stars on "Smallville," Michael Rosenbaum didn't have a lot of name recognition before landing the part of Alexander "Lex" Luthor. However, he's been working in Hollywood since 1997, so while his face wasn't known to many, his voice certainly was. Rosenbaum entered the DC Comics universe via voiceover work on numerous animated series, where he voiced the Flash, Deadshot, Trapper, and others. Most of his work has been behind the microphone, making "Smallville" something of an outlier.

Rosenbaum absolutely nailed Lex Luthor, and his is considered one of the best performances the character has had. He left the series after Season 8 and only returned once for the finale in 2011 (per Entertainment Weekly). After leaving "Smallville," Rosenbaum continued lending his voice to various characters in film and video games, but he also appeared in a few movies, one of which he wrote and directed. "Back in the Day" came out in 2011, and few people saw it. According to Lou Lumenick of the New York Post, it's a "stale, schmaltzy and testosterone drenched comedy." 

Rosenbaum has kept himself busy, primarily with work behind the microphone. He hosts a celebrity podcast, "Inside of You," which features many of his friends and fellow celebs. Working behind the microphone isn't limited to speaking for Rosenbaum, either, as he's also the lead singer of Sun Spin, a band he formed with his friend Rob Danson during the pandemic. They dropped their first album, "Best Days," in 2021. 

Allison Mack began acting at an early age in 1989, with small film and TV roles. She gained some attention after landing a role on "7th Heaven," and her career picked up from there. In 2001, she joined the cast of "Smallville" as Chloe Sullivan and remained on the series to the end. After "Smallville," she appeared on several TV series, but her acting career took a backseat to her involvement in NXIVM, a "cult of personality" and multi-level marketing scam led by Keith Raniere (per Forbes).

Mack joined NXIVM in 2006, and she gained significant influence in the organization, which its detractors described as a "cult-like program aimed at breaking down" Raniere's subjects. People were branded with Raniere's initials and subjected to other horrors. Stories of psychological and sexual abuse inside NXIVM spread when its founder was arrested in 2018. Shortly after, Mack and many others were arrested for their involvement. According to Variety, Mack handed over evidence that helped prosecute Raniere before her sentencing.

She pleaded guilty shortly before her trial began and was able to negotiate a reduced sentence. According to Marie Claire, Mack was initially charged with racketeering conspiracy, forced labor, and sex trafficking. She faced 40 years but was sentenced to three years in prison for racketeering and racketeering conspiracy, beginning her sentence in 2021 (per The New York Times). While her career is likely at an end, it's not unheard of for a convict to make their way back into the limelight.

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Kristin Kreuk had two credits when she landed the role of Lana Lang on "Smallville." It wasn't her first lead in a television series, but it was the one that put her on the map. She remained Clark's primary love interest until the seventh season wrapped, leaving to pave the way for Lois Lane to capture Clark Kent's attention. She also wanted to pursue other interests, telling Metro, "I've been doing 'Smallville' since I was 18, so it's been my whole adult life."

Kreuk's time on television paid off, and soon after leaving "Smallville," she landed the role of Catherine Chandler in "Beauty and the Beast." That role kept her occupied until it went off the air in 2016, and she's been working consistently in various areas. Kreuk parlayed her experience on the small screen into a film career, but it hasn't gone well. She appeared in several films in small parts, and her big break came in 2009 when she was cast to play the lead in "Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li." The movie was a bomb, though, and didn't help Kreuk's career.

Still, she had success in television for years, and she transitioned back to that medium as her film prospects waned. She's since starred in "Burden of Truth," "Ghostwriter," and "Reacher," where she plays Charlene "Charlie" Hubble" (per Deadline). Kreuk's career has also included modeling gigs for Neutrogena, voiceover work, and producing through her production company, Parvati Creative Inc. (via The Georgia Straight).

While considering quitting acting, Erica Durance, who had a side hustle as an agent for background actors on "Smallville," landed a role that redefined her career (via The Hollywood Reporter). She joined the cast of "Smallville" in the fourth season, offering her own sassy take on Lois Lane. It took time for her to become the object of Clark's affection, and she remained on the series until it concluded in 2011. Durance's career continued through her time on "Smallville," earning her roles in various series and movies throughout the 2000s.

While "Smallville" is Durance's most notable TV role, it's hardly the only successful one she's had. After "Smallville," she played Dr. Alex Reid on "Saving Hope" and returned to the DC Universe via "Supergirl," where she played Alura Zor-El, the eponymous hero's Kryptonian mother. While Durance has had a great deal of success in many television series, she's transitioned to working on TV movies in recent years.

Durance made four Hallmark Channel movies and three Lifetime Original movies between 2019 and 2022, so she's kept herself busy. Durance produced 75 episodes of "Saving Hope," and it's something she's passionate about. In an exclusive interview with The List, Durance spoke about her love for all aspects of the industry. She was looking for more producing opportunities related to her work on TV movies, and, given her penchant for them, it seems she's settling into that niche quite nicely and may remain there for the foreseeable future. 

Although "Smallville" launched the careers of many of the principal actors, the series cast several veterans in the adult roles. John Glover is one such veteran, as he began working in the industry in the early 1970s. His resume includes parts in "Annie Hall," Scrooged," and "Gremlins 2: The New Batch," to name a few. When he joined the cast of "Smallville" as Lionel Luther, he'd been working for over 30 years, making him one of the most seasoned actors on the show.

Glover's work on "Smallville" didn't keep him in every episode. Still, he managed to show up in 145 of them, including the pilot and series finale. This afforded him opportunities to find work elsewhere, and he had walk-on roles on various shows, including "Numb3rs" and "Heroes." He didn't work in film much while on "Smallville," but he's since appeared in several, including another DC Comics project, "Shazam!" Glover also joined the "Walking Dead" franchise, scoring the role of Theodore "Teddy" Maddox on "Fear the Walking Dead" and the spinoff, "Dead in the Water."

While he's appeared in several projects, Glover's career has slowed down in recent years. He's shifted to voiceover work in some areas and focused much of his attention on theater. Glover is a veteran of stage and screen and has played on Broadway since 1972. After "Smallville," he appeared in "Death of a Salesman," "Macbeth," "The Cherry Orchard," "Saint Joan," and "The Importance of Being Earnest," which ended in 2019 (per Playbill).

It's not uncommon for an actor from one DC Comics project to appear in another, and several of the people in this article have crossed over to "Batgirl," "Supergirl," and other series. Of the many veteran actors working on "Smallville," Annette O'Toole is one of two to appear in a live-action "Superman" film. She played Lana Lang in Superman III, so she brought some superhero know-how to the set where she played Martha Kent from the beginning to the series' conclusion.

Since leaving "Smallville," O'Toole has kept herself busy in film and television. She's primarily played walk-on roles in various series, including "Grey's Anatomy" and "The Good Doctor." She landed a leading part as Mayor Hope McCrea on "Virgin River" in 2019, which kept her occupied through the COVID-19 pandemic. The series concluded with its fifth season in 2022. The show reunited O'Toole with her friend and former co-star Tim Matheson, with whom she starred in "What Really Happened to the Class of '65?" in 1977 (per PureWow).

O'Toole also works in music alongside her husband, Michael McKean, otherwise known as David St. Hubbins of "Spinal Tap" fame. The couple collaborates on songs and penned their first, "Potato's in the Paddy Wagon," on a drive from Vancouver to Los Angeles (per Soundtrack). They've also wrote songs for various projects, including "A Kiss at the End of the Rainbow" for "A Mighty Wind." The song was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2003.

John Schneider played Jonathan Kent on "Smallville" for 103 episodes, some of which he directed. He left the series after his character died in the fifth season, but before that happened, he managed to score a story with his old co-star, Tom Wopat, reuniting them on screen for the first time since their days on "The Dukes of Hazzard" and its TV movies. It was Schneider's role as Bo Duke that made him famous, and it was also his first television role. Schneider had a few appearances on "Smallville" after he left the main cast, reprising his role in the final season (per IGN).  

When he left "Smallville," he continued working in films and television. He's appeared in dozens of movies and television series over the years, though none are as prominent as "Smallville." Schneider has also transitioned to working in Hallmark and Lifetime Original Movies, having starred in one of each between 2020 and 2021. While acting has undoubtedly been a significant part of Schneider's life for decades, it's not his only career — he's also a successful country music singer.

While working on "The Dukes of Hazzard," Schneider branched out into music. According to Taste of Country, his first album, "It's Now or Never," reached number 8 on the U.S. Country Billboard Charts. His debut single, a cover of Elvis Presley's hit, reached number 4. He's since released over 30 albums and more than 20 singles, four of which topped the charts upon release (per Forbes).

Justin Hartley found his way to the "Smallville" set in 2006 when he was cast as Oliver Queen/Green Arrow. He arrived in the sixth season and continued on the series until its conclusion, managing to appear in over 70 episodes. "Smallville" was Hartley's second series as a regular, having played Fox Crane in "Passions" a few years earlier. While on "Smallville," he continued to work on other series and a few feature films. He had some success on television after "Smallville," landing the role of Adam Newman/Gabriel Bingham on "The Young and the Restless" in 2014.

Hartley played that role for two years before making it big with the series he landed after leaving "The Young and the Restless." In 2016, Hartley was cast as Kevin Pearson on the critically acclaimed hit series, "This Is Us." He was nominated for numerous awards for his performance, including a Screen Actors Guild Award, People's Choice Award, Critics' Choice Television Award, and many others. "This Is Us" concluded in 2022, and Hartley got busy working on a Netflix film adaptation of Richard Paul Evans' bestselling novel, "The Noel Diary."

Hartley's work on "This Is Us" significantly advanced his profile, and the man has options as a result. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the actor said, "It's incredible to think you're on people's radar at all," referring to other celebrities taking notice of him in "This Is Us," so he likely knows how many doors are open to him. 

Sam Jones III began acting as a teenager, with roles in several popular series, including "NYPD Blue," which was his first acting role. He showed up on a few series before becoming one of the principal actors who started on "Smallville" with the pilot. He played Pete Ross, Clark Kent's best friend at Smallville High. Jones' work on the show was exceptional, but he didn't remain for long. The actor departed the series in the third season, before the final episode. He returned once in the seventh season to close out his character's story.

Jones kept himself busy, working on various shows and in films and TV movies. His career hit something of a snag in 2010 when a sex tape he filmed with his then-girlfriend, Karissa Shannon, was leaked, resulting in a lawsuit and inevitable deal with Vivid Entertainment (per TMZ). That wasn't the worst thing to happen to him that year though. In December, he was arrested as part of a DEA sting operation as a co-conspirator in several drug deals that had occurred the previous year, per the New York Daily News.

TMZ reported that the actor agreed to a plea bargain and was sentenced to 366 days for taking part in a conspiracy to sell more than 10,000 Oxycodone pills. Although sentenced to a year behind bars, he was released after nearly ten months. Since his release, Jones has returned to his craft, appearing in a few movies that haven't garnered much attention.

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Cassidy Freeman had a few acting jobs before landing the role of Tess Mercer on "Smallville." Her part as Kristine in "An Accidental Christmas" is probably her most successful. Her career was significantly boosted because of "Smallville," and she's been working consistently since the series ended. While she's had a few roles in feature films, she pays the bills with her work on television. One series, in particular, made her more recognizable outside the "Smallville" community and fan base.

Freeman played Cady Longmire on "Longmire" for five years following her time on "Smallville," and the role brought a lot of positive attention her way. Freeman was a fan favorite in the series, playing the main character's daughter. The show came to an end following its sixth and final season in 2017, and Freeman has continued her practice of hopping from one successful television series to another.

Freeman's next role came via HBO's "The Righteous Gemstones," where she plays the wife of Danny McBride's Jesse. The series features many talented players, including John Goodman, Dermot Mulroney, and Jennifer Nettles. Freeman's success on the small screen hasn't kept her away from the silver variety, though. She played Cassidy Tucker in "The Forever Purge," which wasn't the greatest film in the franchise, but she had fun with it. In an interview with Scream Horror Mag, the actor revealed that she used to hide snacks in her pregnancy belly, claiming she was never hungry during the shoot.

Aaron Ashmore has one of those faces people swear they've seen in something before, and they're probably right. The actor has been confusing fans about his credits for years, thanks to being an identical twin to Shawn Ashmore, who is also a successful actor. Both actors dabbled in comic book-related projects, though they're separate by publishers: Shawn was in Marvel's "X-Men" films, while Aaron played Jimmy Olson in DC's "Smallville." He joined the cast in 2006, as the focus shifted from the eponymous town to grander things happening in Metropolis.

"Smallville" has been good for Ashmore's career, though he worked steadily in TV and film before landing the gig. His fans likely recognize him from "Veronica Mars" or any of the plethora of TV movies he did between 1993 and 2004. Of course, he hasn't been sitting back and taking it easy since finishing up with "Smallville." Ashmore has taken leading roles in numerous television series, including "Warehouse 13," "Killjoys," and "Locke & Key," which is another comic book property from IDW.

Ashmore's work didn't slow down during the COVID-19 pandemic; instead, he's worked more than most. His role of Gil Timmins on "Ginny & Georgia" has been well received, and according to Survived The Shows, he's set to return for Season 2. Ashmore has kept himself busy since leaving "Smallville," but make sure you're watching the right Ashmore brother when you see his charming face appear, because both brothers have successful careers working in film and television.

Laura Vandervoort began acting when she was 13. She landed a role on "Goosebumps" and has worked as a professional actor ever since. Her first big break came when she played Sadie Harrison on "Instant Star" for almost 50 episodes. That was soon followed by "Smallville." Vandervoort played Clark Kent's Kryptonian cousin, Kara Zor-El, otherwise known as Supergirl. Still, she didn't remain on the series in a regular capacity. Supergirl was featured throughout Season 7 and only intermittently as a guest to the end of the series.

While her work on "Smallville" was diminishing, Vandervoort landed a leading role on the remake of "V," where she played Lisa. Since then, she's continued acting in walk-on roles on several TV series before and after landing the leading role of Elena Michaels on "Bitten." Throughout the 2010s, Vandervoort spent much of her time working on TV movies, most centered around Christmas for various studios, including the Hallmark Channel's "A Christmas Together With You."

Outside of her typical family-friendly fare, Vandervoort spends a good chunk of her time in science fiction. Besides "V," she had a recurring role on "V-Wars" and continues working on the small and silver screen somewhat regularly. Like many others in this article, she returned to the world of DC Comics' in "Supergirl," where she played Indigo. Vandervoort told The Hollywood Reporter that she enjoyed playing Indigo because "She's almost a polar opposite of Supergirl, and that's what was so fun about playing her."

Jensen Ackles isn't a name that's often associated with "Smallville," and there's a good reason for that. When Ackles landed the role of Jason Teague on "Smallville's" fourth season, he'd already made an impression on countless fans of "Dawson's Creek" and "Dark Angel." Still, none of his early work truly stands out these days because of what he did after leaving "Smallville" in 2005. That same year, Ackles landed the role of Dean Winchester on "Supernatural," and it's a role he played for more than 300 episodes across 15 years.

These days, it's easy to forget about his time coaching a young Clark Kent, given his massive fan base surrounding "Supernatural." Still, Ackles never entirely left the DC Comics universe, as he's lent his voice to several animated series, including playing Jason Todd/Red Hood in "Batman: Under the Red Hood." He's even played the Dark Knight himself, Batman, in "Batman: The Long Halloween." Ackles continued working in comic book adaptations by taking on the role of Soldier Boy in the third season of "The Boys," so it's fair to say he has a niche in which he excels.

Outside of the small screen, Ackles has done some work in film, but his most recent movie was shut down. He was set to play Wood Helm on "Rust," but the film's production was terminated following the fatal on-set shooting of the director of photography, Halyna Hutchins, in 2021 (via CNN). As of mid-2022, Ackles hasn't booked another feature film.

Sam Witwer has spent the majority of his career working in science fiction. Before landing the role of Davis Bloome/Doomsday on "Smallville," he appeared in "Battlestar Galactica" and "Star Trek: Enterprise." He's since worked heavily in the "Star Wars" universe, giving him something of a sci-fi trifecta of noteworthy franchises. Still, his work on "Smallville" gave him the most recurring episodes. It helped elevate his career such that he became the model and motion-capture/voiceover artist for the "Star Wars: The Force Unleashed" game series' protagonist.

He's continued working in the franchise by providing his exceptional voice acting talents to TV and film projects. He had a heavy presence on "Star Wars: Rebels" and voiced Darth Maul in "Solo: A Star Wars Story," so it's fair to say he's a franchise favorite. Witwer left "Smallville" in 2009, and he's been working ever since. He took on a leading role in "Being Human" and returned to the DC Universe in 2018 to play several characters on "Supergirl." 

These days, he spends most of his time behind the microphone, though he does continue to act on camera. When he's not working, there's a good chance he's off somewhere playing role-playing games. It's been a hobby of his for years, and he has a preference for the "Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game" and its successor, "Star Wars Roleplaying Game," and yes, there is a difference! Witwer has appeared on numerous web series and podcasts, showing off his love of RPGs.

If you don't recognize his face from the show, you can rest assured Terence Stamp played a significant role in "Smallville." Unfortunately, he never stepped in front of the camera, offering only his disembodied voice as he played Clark Kent's Kryptonian father, Jor-El. Despite being dead for years, Jor-El's memories were interwoven into the Fortress of Solitude, which acted as his link to his still-living son. Jor-El was a villain (of sorts) in the series, which Stamp knows a lot about, given his early work in the franchise.

Stamp played none other than General Zod in "Superman: The Movie" and its sequel, "Superman II," so he was the perfect casting choice to play Superman's father. Stamp has been working in theater and feature films since 1959, making him the most senior actor to work on "Smallville." While his voice showed up throughout most seasons, he only worked on 23 episodes. Still, he made an impact and was a critical character in Clark's development.

Stamp has worked consistently for decades, and he didn't stop when his time on "Smallville" ended. He lent his voice to another DC project, "Static Shock," and did some video game voiceover work through the 2000s. Stamp continued appearing in movies, with 2021's "Last Night in Soho" being his most recent. Though he's now in his eighties, Stamp hasn't retired and may show up in a project or two before he decides to hang it up for good. 

Eric Johnson was relatively new to acting when he landed the role of Whitney Fordman on "Smallville." He appeared in a few small parts in television series and movies, including a young Brad Pitt in "Legends of the Fall" when he was 15. He was a bit older when he joined the cast of "Smallville," where he started the pilot episode as Lana Lang's boyfriend. This made him something of a roadblock for Clark Kent, and the two butted heads for a bit. Because Lana would inevitably end up dating Clark, Whitney's time on the show wasn't long. 

Johnson played him throughout the first season but appeared as a guest, ultimately departing the series in 2004. Since leaving "Smallville," Johnson has had success on television and in TV movies. He scored the lead role in "Flash Gordon," followed by a lead role in "Rookie Blue." He's since continued his film career, which is dominated by TV movies.

Of course, he's probably best known these days for playing Jack Hyde in the "Fifty Shades" franchise than he is for some of his work on the small screen. Johnson's charming good looks masked the villainous nature of his character, and Johnson excelled at playing the big bad, though it didn't come easily to him. In an interview with Cosmopolitan, Johnson said, "The things I really struggled with were the more violent things, just being violent toward women. It's not something I've really done [on screen] before, and that felt awful."

Callum Blue began working in television a few years before "Smallville" launched. However, he wouldn't find his way to the series for some time. Before joining "Smallville," he appeared in a handful of prominent roles on "Dead Like Me," "Related," and "The Tudors," all of which showcased his inimitable acting style. In 2009, he got a chance to appear on "Smallville," where he played General Zod (per Entertainment Weekly). That casting came after more than two dozen acting credits, so he was well established when he took on the role of Superman's nemesis.

He remained on the series through the ninth season, appearing only briefly in the tenth. His character had an inevitable end, but Blue managed to play him in such a way that you almost wished he would stick around. Ultimately, that didn't happen, and Zod stepped aside for a far more dangerous foe to take his place. Blue didn't slow down after his time in "Smallville" and has worked consistently.

While he's landed a few recurring roles on several series, he hasn't been able to gain a foothold on anything comparable to "Smallville." That's not to say his work hasn't been good, but there's a hot "Superman" show, and then there's whatever else is on TV. He's worked the latter for a while, though he did make the jump to the Hallmark Channel via "Mix Up in the Mediterranean" in 2021, so he may be following the example set by many of his former castmates.

Ian Somerhalder isn't a name that's typically associated with "Smallville," despite appearing on the show during its third season in 2004. He played Adam Knight, a resurrected teenager sent by Lionel Luthor to spy on Clark Kent. Somerhalder stuck around for six episodes before leaving "Smallville" in his rear-view mirror. The same year he appeared on "Smallville," Somerhalder landed the role of Boone on "Lost," which gained him significantly more exposure.

While he appeared on several TV series and a few movies throughout the 2000s, his casting as Damon Salvatore on "The Vampire Diaries" made Somerhalder a household name. He remained on the series as the lead for its entire run, which came to an end in 2017 after eight seasons, the last of which he produced. Somerhalder must have enjoyed producing because he kicked it up a notch, working as an executive producer while playing Dr. Luther Swann on "V-Wars."

Somerhalder hasn't carried a TV series since "V-Wars" wrapped in 2019, but he has continued working as an executive producer. He did so for the documentary "Kiss the Ground" in 2020. He's also branched out into other areas, launching his own brand of bourbon with former "The Vampire Diaries" co-star Paul Wesley in 2020. The on-screen brothers named their brand Brother's Bond after their characters' love of the amber liquor. Breaking Bourbon called it an easy drinker that's "Pleasant from start to finish with some nice flavors in the mix."