ActorTom Welling, 48, is getting candid about moving away from Los Angeles.
In a January 2026 interview withPeople, Welling, who famously portrayed a younger version of Clark Kent in the hit 10-season WB show, Smallville, explained that he and his wife, Jessica Rose, decided to vacate Los Angeles amid the start of COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. He told the publication that the couple, who wed in 2019, wanted to move to Northern California after traveling there to see family.
“L.A. was wild at the time. There were no cars on the street, you couldn’t go anywhere. People weren’t leaving their homes. Our first son was starting to crawl and we only had this tiny deck for him to play on. There was this thought of, we don't know if we can be here anymore," said Welling, who has two children with Rose.
He said while in Northern California in 2020, he and Rose came across a ranch that included two homes. The actor shared that they decided ranch life in a small town was for them. Welling, who also starred in Cheaper by the Dozen and Lucifer, suggested he enjoyed having a sense of anonymity away from Hollywood.
"No one bothers you in a small town," said Welling during the interview.
Welling also told People that he and Rose have taken on breeding sport horses. He clarified that Rose runs the business, where he works beside her.
"We have American sport horses, jumpers, and we breed. I’m more than happy to help, but she's the captain of that ship. It’s peaceful. And it feels real," said Welling while speaking to People.
In the January 2026 People interview, Welling discussed how he began starring on Smallville, which ended in 2011. He said he was scouted to model in his early 20s. However, he "was too tall, too big for sample sizes" while he "was in New York doing runway shows," meaning he knew he would have to eventually pivot his career.
"I got away with it for a while, but I knew modeling wasn’t forever. But when it came to performing in commercials, yeah, that clicked. So I gave myself a year to try acting," said Welling to People.
In addition, Welling said he thinks he was chosen to play Clark, aka Superman, despite not having much acting experience because he "looked the part."
"I think the producers probably thought, 'He's green, but he looks right. We can work with this! I never went to college, but I did my master’s degree in television on Smallville. Plus, the character didn’t know what he was doing, and I didn’t know what I was doing, so it worked," said Welling in the People interview.
Welling, who co-hosts a Smallville-themed podcast, Talkville, alongside his Smallville castmate, Michael Rosenbaum, also said he appreciates that the series has continued to have such a devoted fanbase.
"I think it’s amazing that something we made all those years ago still means so much to people," said Welling in the People interview.
Welling discussed his time on Smallville during a July 2025 interview on Rosenbaum's other podcast, Inside of You. He shared he "wasn't very happy most of the time" while shooting the series. Welling explained that long shoot hours were difficult, and he felt an immense "responsibility to every single person" involved on Smallville because of his role as the show's lead. He clarified that he now has fond memories of the show and feels a sense of pride about it.
"Where I don't think I was proud of it when we were doing it. And I'm not sure why because it's hard," said Welling during the podcast interview.
Tom Welling Filmed an Upcoming Movie Written by Iliza Shlesinger
During the January 2026 People interview, Welling clarified that he's not retired from acting. The publication reported that Welling filmed the upcoming movie, Chasing Summer, written by comedian Iliza Shlesinger.
“It was so fun to shoot. Everybody wanted to be there. All the decisions were made right there on set, it was collaborative, and it just reminded me why I love this job," said Welling to People.
In a December 2025 Instagram post, Welling noted that the film, which also stars Shlesinger, Lola Tung, and Megan Mullally, has its big premiere during Park City's Sundance on January 26.
"Sundance, here we go!! Chasing Summer heads to #Sundance This cast and crew poured everything into this independent film and I’m lucky to be along for the ride. @ilizas wrote such a heartfelt screenplay and it was an honor to help bring it to life," read a portion of the post's caption.
Hence then, the article about smallville star tom welling reveals the real reason he left l a was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( 'Smallville' Star Tom Welling Reveals the Real Reason He Left L.A. )
Also on site :
- UK to list 65-year-olds as reservists amid Russia threat claims – Telegraph
- Scott Ritter say he was ‘de-banked’
- AI boom fuels fears of an industry bubble (VIDEO)