Tom Welling (Clark Kent) Kristin Kreuk (Lana Lang) Michael Rosenbaum (Lex Luthor) Jensen Ackles (Jason Teague) Allison Mack (Chloe Sullivan) John Glover (Lionel Luthor) Annette O'Toole (Martha Kent) John Schneider (Jonathan Kent) Erica Durance (Lois Lane) Samuel Jones (Pete Ross) Eric Johnson (Whitney Fordman)

Self-assured and possessed with a rapid-fire sense of humor, Michael Rosenbaum shaved his blond locks for the role he seems born to play - a young Lex Luthor in Smallville. Next up for Rosenbaum is Wes Craven's thriller Cursed, with Christina Ricci, set to be released early 2005.

Born in Oceanside, New York, and raised in Newburgh, Indiana, Rosenbaum excelled in high school drama classes. Once hooked, he took on lead roles in college stage productions such as The Heidi Chronicles while attending Western Kentucky University and performing in regional theater during his summers.

Upon graduation with a degree in Mass Communications and Theater, he packed his bags and headed for New York to pursue acting. He quickly landed roles in off-Broadway productions and small independent films, and soon segued into regular appearances on Late Night with Conan O'Brien in a sketch called The Amsterdam Kids.

His first real break came when he got a series regular role on The WB comedy series The Tom Show, with Tom Arnold. The relationship with the network continued as he was cast as Jack in the New York comedy Zoe, Duncan, Jack & Jane.

Keeping busy over his hiatus, Rosenbaum appeared in the feature film Bringing Down the House, opposite Steve Martin. He can be seen in the independent film Poolhall Junkies, with Chazz Palminteri and Christopher Walken. Other film credits include Sorority Boys, with 7th Heaven's Barry Watson and Sweet November with Keanu Reeves and Charlize Theron. He also starred in the hit thriller Urban Legend and appeared in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Kevin Spacey and John Cusack.

Rosenbaum currently resides in Los Angeles. When not working, he belongs to an ice hockey league, a sport that he has played since childhood, and is a dedicated New York Rangers fan.

Look Ma, No Mirrors: "I chose acting because I've always been a bit of an extrovert. I decided all that time spent entertaining myself in front of the mirror might be more useful if I shared it with other people."

Lights, Camera, Scissors: "I didn't have to get permission to shave my head. It was part of the job. I don't mind. It would have bothered me if I had shaved my head and found all these dents and craters under there but, if you ask me, I'd have to say I've got a pretty good-looking head."

Rock 'N' Role: "Playing a bad guy [as in Lex Luthor] is a little weird. Overall, it makes sense because so far I've gone from one extreme to the other. I went from playing this innocent homosexual kid to a college frat boy to the mean guy in Urban Legend and a transvestite in Sweet November to this. Smallville is my first dramatic series. Will it change my life? I don't think so. I'm going to be just fine. I am sure there's a club for bald men out there somewhere that I can always join."

All in the Family: "Watching television was a bit of a tradition in my family. I remember sitting on the bed with my grandmother when I was a kid. She would pay me 25 cents to rub cream on her feet. I loved watching old classic movies, especially the cheesy ones. We also watched All In The Family. That was the ultimate show."

Brad Attitude: "I used to want to be the hot guy. I'd go to an audition, and I'd know the part inside and out. And then this hot guy walks in, Brad Pitt Jr., and I'd think, He's going to get it. I may have the acting ability, but I don't have that hot guy thing. But hey, I'm not complaining... my personality is what got me here."

Got Milk Money? "When I was little, my mom would write checks for 85 cents for me to buy my school lunch with. I used to say, 'Come on! Give me some change.' And she'd say, 'I don't have any. I'm going to have to write you a check.' Do you know how mortifying it is to go to school and hand a check to the lunch lady?"

Michael's Mane Complaint: "I'm kind of high maintenance these days. I need an hour and a half to two hours per day to get myself presentable. I have to shave my entire head, and then I have to deal with the make-up part. It's quite a challenge. Meanwhile, Tom walks in, runs a comb through his hair, and they're ready to shoot. It's a shame, but I guess that's the price you pay for superstardom."

Singled Out: "I'll get women coming up to me and saying [in a Valley girl accent], 'Oh my God! Are you, like, in that show? Are you, like, Lex Luthor? You are so hot!' I'm always like, 'Uhhh, wanna get married?'"

Face Off: Lex vs. Clark

Meet WB Diva and Tadpole, two of our most opinionated, devoted and yes, obsessive fans. Besides their addiction to fighting about who's hot and who's not on The WB, they have nothing in common, and that's what we like about them! We've decided to get them off of their couches and into the ring to battle it out on the question of the week. Check back soon to see what they take on next.

Who is the hottest hottie, Clark or Lex?

WB Diva: Hello? Whose name rhymes with sex? Have you looked at the TV lately? Lex is BY FAR the hottest hottie around! Smoldering stare, soft lips, a rockin' bod - and he has more style than LuthorCorp has money.

Tadpole: Clearly, your mind is in the gutter. And it's pretty obvious what your definition of hottie is - mine just happens to be a little more profound. Clark not only has abs you can grate cheese on, but have you seen the rest of him? I'm talking shoulders, thighs, and let's not forget his size 14 feet.

WB Diva: This is profound to you? Your mind is as far in the gutter as mine. And while we're on the subject, just because we've seen Clark in his skivvies a number of times doesn't mean he corners the market on six-pack abs. Beyond that, Lex has a mind that could run a country or three and more charisma than Clinton. There's just something about a guy who could talk your clothes off.

Tadpole: Speak for yourself. A ruthless, cold-hearted businessman like that makes my skin crawl, not tingle. He has a hot body, I'll give you that, but Lex has a one-track mind. All he thinks about is Lex. Do you think you'd even enter the equation? Clark may not be a candidate for running the country, but I'll bet you a lifetime of dry-cleaning bills that he'll never be caught holding a blue dress.

WB Diva: Hey, I never said Lex was nice. That's part of the appeal. You may go for sweet, but I'll take sexy over sweet any day. One thing is guaranteed: you may like a ride in a Honda, but you'll remember the day you drove a Ferrari forever!

Tadpole: Oh, give me a break! We're not talking about cars here, we're talking about connecting with another human being. If you want to drive in the fast lane, that's up to you, but the chances of you crashing with a guy like Lex are far greater. I agree it's a tie when you're talking about superficial qualities, but when it comes to the total package, Clark is the hottest hottie.