Tom Welling decided to move out of Los Angeles due to how the city became during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Smallville star, 48, left LA in 2020 with his wife, Jessica Rose Lee, and their son Thomas to move to a small town in northern California, Page Six reports.
According to media reports, the actor purchased a house for $US4.5 million ($A6.7 million) in 2019.
Situated in the quiet town of Somis, the estate features a pool, gym and home theatre.
“LA was wild at the time,” Welling told People.
“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.”
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Tom Welling revealed he moved out of Los Angeles due to how the city handled the Covid-19 pandemic. Picture: tomwelling/Instagram
The Smallville star and his wife, Jessica Rose Lee, left LA in 2020. Picture: tomwelling/Instagram
Welling said he knew he wanted to eventually move out of LA but accelerated the timeline after visiting family in northern California and falling in love with a ranch.
The Cheaper by the Dozen star now enjoys not being a celebrity in his community.
“No one bothers you in a small town,” he said.
“Everyone’s famous in a small town.”
While Welling still takes on acting projects, like his upcoming comedy Chasing Summer that’s set to debut at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, his wife has a business breeding horses.
“It’s peaceful,” he said of their life. “And it feels real.”
“When I was younger, I was always looking for the next big thing,” he also shared.
“Now, I just want to be where my feet are.”
Welling was a model before landing the lead role in Smallville.
Although he no longer lives in LA, he’s still an actor and has a comedy premiering at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival. Picture: Getty Images for ReedPop
Welling and Lee tied the knot in 2019. They welcomed their second son, Rocklin, in June 2021.
The actor was previously married to model Jamie White from 2002 to 2015.
In January 2025, Welling was arrested for allegedly driving under the influence. He was arrested in an Arby’s parking lot in Yreka, California, just after midnight according to police records obtained by Page Six at the time.
In May, the charges were dismissed and he pleaded not guilty to a lesser charge, Us Weekly reported.
In addition to being sentenced to one year probation, he had to pay $US619 ($A922) in fines, $US150 ($A223) in restitution and attend a DUI program.
Parts of this story first appeared in Page Six and was republished with permission.
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