Superman performers come together to talk about the Man of Steel at Fan Expo Canada.

      Over the past weekend at the Fan Expo Canada convention in Toronto, a rare assembly of Superman actors took place, featuring Tom Welling, Brandon Routh, Tyler Hoechlin, and voice actor George Newbern. They shared their experiences portraying the Man of Steel, each bringing their unique interpretations to the role.

      Welling played Clark Kent in the series Smallville, which spanned 10 seasons and showcased Clark's high school years as he discovered his powers and alien heritage, gradually transforming into Superman. Routh took on the role in Superman Returns, a sequel to the original films featuring Christopher Reeve and Richard Donner, and reprised his role 15 years later in The CW’s Arrowverse crossover, Crisis on Infinite Earths. This event also featured Hoechlin, who initially appeared as Superman in Supergirl before launching his own show, Superman & Lois. Meanwhile, Newbern voiced the character for several years in the animated series Justice League and Justice League Unlimited, along with various animated films and video games.

      All four actors presented distinctly different versions of Superman, particularly Welling as a young Clark Kent and Hoechlin as an older Superman who balanced family life with superhero obligations while being married to Lois Lane and raising two teenage boys. A shared inspiration for their portrayals was Christopher Reeve’s legendary depiction of Superman in his movies, which remains a benchmark among subsequent actors.

      Welling noted, “Back then, he was Superman. If you wanted to see Superman, you saw Chris. Now, there are numerous versions out there, but when I think of Superman, I think of Chris.” Notably, Welling is the only actor to have shared scenes with Reeve, who made guest appearances in Smallville, symbolizing a passing of the torch.

      Routh also credited Reeve as a source of inspiration. “I remember watching Chris’ Superman: The Movie as a child in Iowa with my family, excitedly wearing pajamas, but I got so overwhelmed I ended up sick during the viewing! I can’t even recall it all clearly, but it was such a thrilling experience.”

      The pressure of donning the cape and 'S' can be immense, yet each actor described the surreal realization that they were taking on such an iconic and cherished superhero. For Newbern, that moment came when he saw his son dressed as Superman. “It was when my son ran around the house with a little cape and the ‘S’ on his chest,” he shared. “He’d press a button, and my voice would say, ‘Get to the Watchtower, let’s go!’ I realized that I had truly made it at that moment.”

      An intriguing aspect of seeing different actors portray Superman is the particular traits of his personality they each focus on. Fans are aware that Superman plays multiple roles: the heroic figure in public, the bumbling Clark Kent at the Daily Planet, and the real Clark Kent, who merges these identities when he’s with Lois or his family. Each actor seems to resonate more with certain aspects of Superman's character.

      “For me, I had to remind myself that I played someone who was still figuring out his identity,” Welling said about the premise of Smallville. “He was a teenager exploring the strange abilities he possessed and discovering his purpose.”

      On the other hand, Newbern connected more with Clark's humble beginnings, saying, “I’m from Arkansaw and own an olive ranch where I produce olive oil, so I have a personal connection to the farmboy aspect of Clark Kent.”

      Except for Hoechlin, who recently concluded his role as Superman in the fourth and final season of Superman & Lois, several years have passed since the others last portrayed Clark Kent or Superman, yet fans continue to hold them in high esteem. Welling explained that he didn’t fully grasp the show’s impact until after Smallville ended, when he began to comprehend its significance to a new generation.

      “Honestly, attending conventions allows you to meet fans and hear how the series influenced them,” he said. “While filming, I wasn’t focused on the audience's reception—that was the job of the producers, writers, and directors. You’re just immersed in your character, then you meet people whose lives were touched by Smallville, providing them an escape during tough times. That’s something you can’t create intentionally. What we do is special because we put it out there, and then it resonates with viewers.”

      Hoechlin echoed this sentiment from his time on The CW’s Teen Wolf, which also gained a significant fan following. “In the moment, it’s hard to feel proud since you’re still involved in the project. But once you step away and see its impact and hear fans’ stories, you realize, ‘Oh, that’s something I can be proud of.’”

      Routh had the unique opportunity to step back into his role in Crisis on Infinite Earths, even sporting the Kingdom Come version of Superman's suit before David Corenswet took on the