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Former "Smallville" star Tom Welling was arrested for driving under the influence in Yreka, California, marking a surprising turn of events for the typically low-profile actor. The Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office confirmed that Welling, 47, was taken into custody shortly after midnight on Sunday, January 26, 2025, in an Arby's parking lot.
According to official booking documents obtained by The Post, Welling was charged with misdemeanor driving under the influence, with a blood alcohol level at or above 0.08%. The booking sheet described the actor as having a clear complexion with stubble and short hair, weighing 240 pounds, and noted his speech was "clear" at the time of arrest.
The incident occurred near Welling's current residence, as he and his wife Jessica Rose Lee have established roots in Northern California. The couple owns a ranch in the Yreka area, approximately 16 miles south of the California-Oregon border, where they live with their two young sons, Thomson Wylde, 6, and Rocklin Von, 3.
Notably, the arrest came on the same day as his wife's birthday. Hours after his release, which occurred around 7 a.m. local time without bail, Welling took to Instagram to celebrate Jessica, writing, "Happy Birthday to our Angel who makes our dreams come true and inspires us even more!"
Welling gained widespread recognition for his decade-long portrayal of Clark Kent in "Smallville" (2001-2011), which began on the WB network and continued through its transition to the CW. Recently, the actor expressed renewed interest in returning to the Superman role, inspired by his children's enthusiasm for superhero costumes.
"Because of the two boys that I have with my lovely wife, we have a bunch of costumes at home," Welling told Comicbookmovie.com. "The one costume we don't have is the Superman costume." He shared that when he asked his son why, the response was touching: "Because he's taken... By [you]."
Beyond "Smallville," Welling has maintained a steady acting career with roles in "Cheaper by the Dozen," "Lucifer," and "The Winchesters." He and Jessica married in 2019 at a vineyard in Santa Ynez, California, after dating for five years.
Representatives for Welling have not responded to requests for comment regarding the DUI incident. As this is a developing story, further details about the arrest and any potential legal consequences are yet to be determined.
