Tom Welling Returns to Acting with Sundance Premiere While Embracing Ranch Life

17 January 2026 Acting and Entertainment

From Superman to Ranch Life: Tom Welling’s New Chapter

Tom Welling, 48, is getting candid about moving away from Los Angeles, explaining that he and his wife, Jessica Rose, decided to vacate Los Angeles amid the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The former Smallville star, best known for his decade-long portrayal of Clark Kent, has traded Hollywood’s spotlight for the peaceful surroundings of Northern California ranch life.

The couple, who wed in 2019, wanted to move to Northern California after traveling there to see family. Welling explained the chaotic conditions of Los Angeles during the pandemic made the decision easier for his growing family. They now have American sport horses and jumpers and breed them, with his wife leading the operation, describing their life as peaceful and real.

New Film Premieres at Sundance 2026

Despite his quieter lifestyle, Welling clarified that he’s not retired from acting, having filmed the upcoming movie, Chasing Summer, written by comedian Iliza Shlesinger. The film, which also stars Shlesinger, Lola Tung, and Megan Mullally, has its big premiere during Park City’s Sundance on January 26. This marks an exciting return to the screen for the actor who has maintained a selective approach to his film career since Smallville ended in 2011.

Smallville Legacy and Potential Animated Sequel

Welling and co-star Michael Rosenbaum have been trying to bring the world of Smallville back through an animated sequel series, picking up right where the original story left off. They’ve been working with Smallville’s original creators, Al Gough and Miles Millar, to make sure the new project feels like the show fans remember. However, the project remains in development as DC Studios focuses on James Gunn’s new DC Universe franchise.

The enduring popularity of Smallville continues to bring Welling together with fans through various conventions and events. His journey from construction worker to model to one of television’s most iconic superheroes remains a testament to his unique career path, and his current focus on family and selective acting projects shows an artist content with where life has taken him.