Brandon Routh

Brandon Routh stars in The CW’s new series “DC’s Legends of Tomorrow” as billionaire turned superhero Ray Palmer, AKA the Atom.

Born in Des Moines, Iowa and raised in nearby Norwalk (about 100 miles south of Woolstock, the hometown of TV’s original “Superman,” George Reeves), the strapping 6'3" Routh was a high school athlete who swam and played soccer, as well as starred in several theatrical productions. He attended the University of Iowa for a year before heading to Hollywood in search of his big break.

Routh got his first major role in 1999 on the television sitcom “Odd Man Out.” This was followed by a four-episode stint on the nighttime soap “Undressed,” and an appearance on “Gilmore Girls” in 2000. From 2001-2002, he earned steady work on the daytime drama “One Life to Live,” originating the role of Seth Anderson. Routh recurred on the television series “Chuck” as a dangerous spy who takes control as the new leader of Operation Bartowski, becoming an enemy to Chuck and a rival in his affections for Sarah. His subsequent primetime credits include guest stints on “Cold Case,” “Will & Grace” and “Oliver Beene.” He starred in the comedy series “Partners,” from the creators of “Will & Grace,” and was recently seen in “The Millers,” “Chosen,” and “Enlisted.”

Routh soared into the media limelight when he was cast as Superman in director Bryan Singer’s highly anticipated film, “Superman Returns.” In 2010, Routh was seen in “Scott Pilgrim vs. The World,” opposite Michael Cera and directed by Edgar Wright. He graced the big screen in Kevin Smith’s film “Zach and Miri Make a Porno,” with Seth Rogen and Justin Long; “Life is Hot in Cracktown,” based on the novel by Buddy Giovinazzo; and the romantic comedy “Table for Three,” opposite Jennifer Morrison and Sophia Bush. Also in 2010, Routh was seen in “Unthinkable,” a psychological thriller starring Samuel L. Jackson, as well as the dark comedy “Miss Nobody,” where he starred opposite Leslie Bibb and Missi Pyle.

Routh starred with his wife, Courtney Ford, in the 2008 indie feature “Fling,” about a couple in an open relationship stretched to the breaking point when each finds themselves falling in love with other people. Routh also starred in “Crooked Arrows” as the coach of a Native American lacrosse team playing in a prep school league tournament. Routh’s short film, “Number Nine,” is currently in post-production.

In 2013, Routh voiced David “Hesh” Walker in the video game “Call of Duty: Ghosts.” Recent film and television credits include “The Impression Guys,” “The Nine Lives of Christmas,” “The Exes,” “Missing William,” “The Daly Show,” “Newsreaders,” “Cost of Living,” “The Last Pizza Commercial,” “Dylan Dog: Dead of Night,” “In Security,” “Twilight Cycles,” “Stuntmen,” “Fear Itself,” “The Batman,” “Denial,” “Karla” and “Awesometown.” Routh can be seen in the feature film “400 Days” and the upcoming “Lost in the Pacific.”

Routh currently resides in Los Angeles.