Tom Welling says a fabricated undressed photograph of him prompted an unusual autograph request from his Smallville costar John Glover.
The actor, 49, recalled the exchange at New York Comic Con on Saturday, October 10, according to Entertainment Weekly.
Welling played Clark Kent in the superhero drama, while Glover portrayed Lionel Luthor, the father of Michael Rosenbaum’s Lex Luthor.
The story came during “The Road to Superman: 25 Years of Smallville,” a cast reunion panel at the Javits Center.
Welling Also Removed a Revealing Instagram Story
On Friday, October 9, Welling shared a photograph of the New York skyline captioned “Hello NYCC.” His unclothed reflection was visible in the hotel window, and he subsequently removed the Story.
Just Jared reported that the post remained online for at least 10 hours. Welling had not publicly addressed it when the convention coverage appeared.
On Saturday, he shared footage of himself signing photographs and comics for attendees, inviting them to “Come say hi.” Welling also remembered Glover arriving in his makeup trailer with a broad smile and announcing, “I have a picture I’d like you to sign.”
The image had been created by someone online. Glover asked, “Is this really you?” Welling recalled that his costar thought the picture was “so cute.” Welling answered, “Yep,” and autographed it.
Rosenbaum, Kreuk and Durance Joined the Anniversary Panel
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Michael Rosenbaum, Kristin Kreuk and Erica Durance joined Welling onstage. The convention also scheduled photo opportunities with all four actors.
Rosenbaum shared a group photograph from the stage afterward, writing, “Wow. What a treat. @newyorkcomiccon with my pals,” as Us Weekly reported.
Smallville premiered on October 16, 2001, putting the reunion six days before its exact anniversary. The series ran for 10 seasons, ending in 2011.
Welling and Durance later returned as Clark and Lois Lane in the December 2019 “Crisis on Infinite Earths” crossover. Their appearance in Batwoman showed the characters raising two children on the Kent farm after Clark had given up his powers, according to DC.
Glover Also Turned to Welling for Help Playing Clark
During the October 6 anniversary edition of Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum, Welling singled out “Transference” as a favorite episode. The Season 4 story required him and Glover to exchange characters as Clark and Lionel switched bodies.
The episode leaves Clark trapped in prison without his abilities while Lionel gains access to his powers. Welling recalled feeling the pressure of taking on a character Glover had already established.
Welling recalled being called to the prison set by director James Marshall earlier than scheduled because Glover wanted his help. Glover was working on a scene inside a cell. “How do you do nothing? You just stand there,” Glover asked him, according to Welling’s account.
Welling described Glover as one of the finest actors he had worked with and said their brief conversation helped him settle into the performance. He was unsure whether the particular advice or simply the way he delivered it made the difference.