Michael Rosenbaum
He gave Superman's greatest foe a soulful, human complexity that redefined the character for a generation of TV viewers.
Born 1972 (age 54)·American actor and podcaster·Birthday: July 11·Generation X
Biography
Michael Rosenbaum grew up in New York and Indiana, a self-described class clown who channeled his energy into performing. After studying theater at Western Kentucky University, he moved to New York City, landing commercial voiceover work that became his financial bedrock. His big break came not from a heroic role, but from a villainous one: the young Lex Luthor on 'Smallville.' Rosenbaum's portrayal was a revelation, layering charm, vulnerability, and a tragic arc beneath the bald head and future evil. He played the role for seven seasons, becoming the definitive live-action Lex for many. After leaving the show, he built a varied career in indie films, voice acting for animated series like 'Justice League,' and launching the popular podcast 'Inside of You,' where his easygoing interview style disarms guests. He returned to the Superman universe decades later, voicing The Flash in animated projects and even reprising Lex Luthor for the 'Smallville' finale and the 'Crisis on Infinite Earths' crossover, cementing his legacy in that world.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Michael was born in 1972, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Michael Was Born
The biggest hits of 1972
#1 Movie
The Godfather
Best Picture
The Godfather
#1 TV Show
All in the Family
Michael's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1972Born
Watergate break-in; last Apollo Moon mission
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $19,550Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" — Roberta FlackBest Picture: The Godfather
1977Started school
Star Wars premieres; Elvis dies
Gas: $0.62/galHome: $31,800Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Tonight's the Night" — Rod StewartBest Picture: Annie Hall
1985Became a teenager
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1988Could drive
Pan Am Flight 103 bombed over Lockerbie
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $74,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Faith" — George MichaelBest Picture: Rain Man
1990Could vote
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1993Turned 21
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
2002Turned 30
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2012Turned 40
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2022Turned 50
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 54 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Portrayed Lex Luthor for seven seasons on 'Smallville,' a performance that shaped the modern interpretation of the character.
- Founded and hosts the long-running interview podcast 'Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum,' featuring candid conversations with celebrities.
- Voiced The Flash in multiple DC Animated Universe projects, including the 'Justice League' series and several direct-to-video films.
- Co-wrote, produced, and starred in the independent film 'Back in the Day,' drawing on his experiences growing up in Indiana.
Did You Know?
He is an accomplished voice actor who provided the voice for the DC villain Wally West/The Flash in the 'Justice League' animated series.
Rosenbaum shaved his head for the role of Lex Luthor and has kept the look for much of his career since.
He was a champion wrestler in high school and still incorporates athletic training into his routine.
Before acting, he did voiceover work for hundreds of television commercials.
“I never looked at Lex as a villain. I looked at him as a guy who was severely damaged and misunderstood.”
