Michael Rosenbaum, best known for his role as Lex Luther on Smallville, expressed his gratitude for being recognized as the best portrayal of the character more than two decades after the show premiered. The 52-year-old actor initially did not realize the impact of his role until recent years when fans started including him in their top ten lists. Rosenbaum made his debut as Lex Luther in 2001 and departed from the show after its seventh season in 2007, returning for the series finale in 2011. He stated that he hoped people appreciated his performance as there have been many versions of Lex Luther in the past, and he wanted to leave fans satisfied.
During the peak of Smallville, social media was not as prevalent, so Rosenbaum did not have immediate feedback from fans. He described the experience as a “crapshoot,” not knowing how fans were reacting to his portrayal of Lex Luther. However, the actor expressed that he is genuinely humbled by the continued response from fans of the show, especially as new generations discover and watch Smallville. Rosenbaum also praised the show’s quality, calling it well-crafted and attributing its success to the writing, acting, and cinematography. He believes Smallville played a significant role in the popularity of superhero TV shows and movies that followed.
Smallville not only created success for Rosenbaum on screen but also solidified a lasting friendship with his former costar Tom Welling, who played Clark Kent. The actor shared that their friendship grew stronger after the show ended, as they began working together on various projects related to Smallville. They now consider each other like brothers and are even trying to sell a show together. Welling and his son showed support for Rosenbaum’s recent children’s book, The Talented Farter, which the actor described as adding humor to life and being proud of writing, including providing the fart sounds himself. The book is now available for purchase.
Rosenbaum reflected on the impact of Smallville, noting how the show paved the way for other superhero TV shows such as Flash, Arrow, Superman & Lois, and Gotham. He attributes the success of these shows to Smallville, calling it a big reason for the proliferation of superhero content on screen. The actor expressed how proud he is of the show’s legacy and the fact that new generations continue to watch and appreciate the series. He acknowledged that Smallville was a groundbreaking series in the superhero genre and praised the collaborative efforts of the cast and crew for creating such a successful show.
The continued success and legacy of Smallville have brought Rosenbaum and Welling closer over the years, as they have collaborated on various projects related to the show. The actors now work together on a rewatch podcast called ‘TalkVille’ and participate in Smallville Nights events at conventions. Their friendship has evolved into a partnership beyond their on-screen characters, and they are pursuing opportunities to work together in the future. Rosenbaum expressed how grateful he is for the bond he shares with Welling, describing it as a beautiful thing that has developed over time, thanks to the success of Smallville and their shared experiences working on the show.
In conclusion, Michael Rosenbaum expressed his gratitude for being recognized as the best Lex Luther on Smallville and the continued support from fans of the show. He reflected on the impact of Smallville on the superhero genre, praising the show’s quality, writing, acting, and cinematography. The actor credited Smallville for inspiring other superhero TV shows and movies and acknowledged the show’s cultural significance. Rosenbaum also shared how his friendship with Tom Welling has grown over the years, thanks to their shared experiences working on Smallville and their mutual respect for each other. The actors are now working together on various projects and continue to support each other in their respective endeavors.
