Tom Welling, best known for portraying Clark Kent in the iconic series Smallville, was arrested for driving under the influence (DUI) after midnight on Sunday, January 26, 2025, in the parking lot of an Arby’s restaurant in Yreka, California.
According to reports, Welling’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was at or above 0.08 percent, the legal limit for operating a vehicle in California.
The Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the 47-year-old actor’s arrest, stating that he was cooperative during the process.
He was booked around 2 a.m. and remained in custody for approximately seven hours before being released at around 7 a.m. Welling’s arraignment is scheduled for March 11, 2025.
Just before his arrest, the Lucifer star shared a heartfelt message on social media to greet his wife, Jessica Rose Lee, on her birthday.
“Happy Birthday to our Angel who makes our dreams come true and inspires us even more!” he wrote. “We love you to the moon and back!”
The Possible Impact of Tom Welling’s Arrest on His Career
Through his role as Superman in Smallville, Welling became a beloved figure in the superhero genre.
He later joined Lucifer in Season 3 as Lt. Marcus Pierce/Cain and portrayed Samuel Campbell in The Winchesters.
In addition to acting, Welling has expressed interest in developing an animated sequel to Smallville alongside co-star Michael Rosenbaum, who played Lex Luthor.
However, his recent DUI arrest could impact his public image and future projects. While many fans continue to support him, incidents like this often lead to increased scrutiny and potential backlash within the industry.
Discussions about celebrity behavior and accountability may further amplify the situation. As of now, neither Welling nor his representatives have commented on the arrest.
What’s Next for Tom Welling?
Welling has been actively working on an animated sequel to Smallville alongside Rosenbaum. This project aims to continue the story of Clark Kent after the original series concluded in 2011.
However, as of now, Warner Bros. Discovery has yet to officially greenlit the animated series.
“We want it to work. The honest answer is we have not been able to get Warner Brothers to give us the thumbs up,” he told Screen Rant in 2024. “We need their permission.”
Expressing his frustration, Welling revealed they hadn’t even gotten a response from the studio yet.
“It's the weirdest thing because it is more of a fan-driven idea,” he continued. “It's not going to be a blockbuster. It's not going to be a financial windfall for any of us.”
He even admitted that they all enjoyed working together, which would make this project especially fun if it ever came to fruition.
While he doesn’t hold any resentment toward Warner Bros., he expressed disappointment that the studio has yet to respond.
“It's not a priority for them,” he revealed. “It's like a not-returning-phone-calls-thing.”
So, though the animation and promotional materials for the series are already ready, Wellington and his team are still waiting for Warner Bros.’ approval.