Tom Welling led the series as Clark Kent, and the show followed his journey before he became the Superman known around the world. Instead of starting with the cape, Smallville built the story around his younger years, his friendships, his family, and the choices that slowly shaped him into a hero.
Looking back at the cast today, their paths after the show have gone in many different directions. Some actors moved on to hit shows and film roles, while others stepped away from the spotlight or became known for difficult headlines after the series ended.
Tom Welling Later Joined The Cast Of Lucifer
Tom Welling never wore Superman’s famous cape and tights in the way many fans expected, but his version of Clark Kent is still often seen as one of the best. His performance helped carry Smallville for 10 seasons and made him closely tied to the role for years.
After Smallville ended, Welling stepped back from acting for a while. He returned in 2013 with a few film roles, including appearances in Parkland and The Choice, which gave fans a chance to see him outside the world of Clark Kent.
Still, his most familiar post-Smallville role for many viewers came on Lucifer, where he joined the show as Lt. Marcus Pierce. It gave him another strong TV role and brought him back into the kind of genre space where many fans first found him.
Allison Mack Became Involved In An Alleged Cult
Allison Mack played Chloe Sullivan, Clark’s close friend and an ambitious young journalist who later became a key part of the Justice League. Chloe was not a classic DC character before the show, but Mack’s performance helped make her one of Smallville’s most important figures.
After the series ended, she had a regular role on Wilfred and also appeared in shows such as American Odyssey. Her acting career continued for a time, though it later became overshadowed by events outside television.
Mack made headlines in 2018 because of her involvement in NXIVM, an alleged sex trafficking cult founded by Keith Raniere. The story changed the public conversation around her and became one of the most serious post-Smallville developments linked to any cast member.
Michael Rosenbaum Went On To Voice The Flash
Michael Rosenbaum became a fan favorite as Lex Luthor, giving Clark Kent a friend, rival, and future enemy all at once. His take on Lex was a major part of the show’s early success, and his exit left a noticeable gap in the series.
After leaving Smallville, Rosenbaum leaned more into comedy. He took roles on shows such as Breaking In and Impastor, showing a lighter side that was far removed from Lex’s intense and controlled personality.
He also returned to the superhero world through voice work. Over the years, Rosenbaum has voiced the Flash in several animated Justice League projects, giving him another lasting place in DC history.
John Glover Still Acts From Time To Time
John Glover was already an experienced actor before he joined Smallville as Lionel Luthor. As Lex’s father, he brought a sharp and often ruthless presence to the show, while also becoming one of Clark’s more complicated allies later on.
Since the series finale in 2011, Glover has lived a quieter life compared with some of his younger co-stars. He has still taken select roles, including appearances on shows such as TRON: Uprising and The Blacklist.
He also appeared in the TV movie The Lost Wife of Robert Durst. While he has not chased the same level of mainstream attention, he has continued to work when the right projects came along.
Kristin Kreuk Starred In Beauty And The Beast
Kristin Kreuk played Lana Lang, Clark Kent’s first major love interest and one of the emotional centers of Smallville during its earlier seasons. Her character was tied closely to Clark’s teenage years and his struggle to balance a normal life with his growing powers.
After leaving Smallville in 2009, Kreuk landed the lead role on The CW’s Beauty and the Beast. In 2018, she also starred in the Canadian TV series Burden of Truth, keeping her active on television well after her time in Smallville ended.
Like Allison Mack, Kreuk was linked to the NXIVM organization. She confirmed that she had been involved with the group, but left in 2013 after realizing it was not the self-help company it claimed to be.
Justin Hartley Joined This Is Us
Justin Hartley is remembered by Smallville fans as Oliver Queen, also known as Green Arrow. He played the character for five seasons and became a major part of the show’s later years.
After Smallville, Hartley took on a number of roles, though not all of them were major starring parts. He stayed active in television, building his career step by step after leaving the DC role behind.
His biggest break after Smallville came in 2016, when he became one of the main cast members of NBC’s hit drama This Is Us. His role as Kevin brought him a new level of success and introduced him to a much wider audience.
Sam Jones III Faced Legal Trouble
Sam Jones III had only made brief TV appearances before he landed the role of Pete Ross on Smallville. Pete was one of Clark Kent’s closest friends, which made him an important part of the show’s early seasons.
After leaving the series, Jones picked up smaller roles on shows such as ER and Safe Harbor. He later earned a starring role on Blue Mountain State, giving him another recognizable TV credit after his time in Smallville.
His career was later interrupted by legal troubles. In 2011, Jones was sentenced to a year in prison, which became a major turning point in his life after the show.
Erica Durance Co-Starred In Supergirl
Erica Durance joined Smallville in Season 4 as Lois Lane, one of the most important characters in Superman’s story. Her arrival added a new spark to the series and gave fans the Lois-and-Clark dynamic they had been waiting for.
After Smallville, Durance appeared in a mix of movies and TV shows. She later landed the lead role of Dr. Alex Reid on Saving Hope, which became one of her biggest projects after playing Lois.
Durance also returned to the DC universe in 2017, this time playing Alura Zor-El on Supergirl. It was a neat full-circle moment for an actor already strongly connected to Superman television history.
Annette O’Toole Starred In Women Who Kill
Annette O’Toole already had a long history with Superman before Smallville. She appeared in Superman III before later taking on the role of Martha Kent, Clark’s adoptive mother, in the TV series.
After Smallville ended, O’Toole kept working across television. She appeared on shows including Halt and Catch Fire, 11.22.63, and Grey’s Anatomy, showing the range that had already made her a respected performer before the series began.
She also starred in the film Women Who Kill. Her career after Smallville has been steady rather than flashy, with a mix of roles across film and television.
Cassidy Freeman Acted On Longmire
Cassidy Freeman joined Smallville later in the show’s run, but her character still became important. She played Tess Mercer, another figure who often stood in Clark Kent’s way and added tension to the final seasons.
After the show ended, Freeman continued acting in both films and television. Her credits included the movie Fender Bender as well as TV appearances on The Vampire Diaries and NCIS.
In 2012, she landed a major part on the drama series Longmire. That role gave her another strong TV presence after her run as Tess on Smallville.
