Pete Ross
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Pete Ross is a fictional character who appears in the Superman comic books published by DC Comics. Pete Ross was introduced in Superboy #86 in January 1961. Pete Ross is also the name of Spider-Boy in the Amalgam Universe.
Original version
In the original comics, Pete was a childhood friend of Clark Kent in Smallville. One night when they were camping together, Pete secretly saw Clark changing into Superboy to attend to an emergency. Pete kept his knowledge of the superhero's secret identity to himself, not even telling Clark. Furthermore, Pete resolved to use this knowledge to help his friend, such as creating distractions to allow Clark to slip away without raising suspicion.The Legion of Super-Heroes were aware of Pete's assistance to Clark and made him an honorary member during his teenage years (as shown in Superboy #98). During the Legion's battle with Mordru in Adventure Comics #370 ("The Devil's Jury"), it was stated that Pete Ross's knowledge of Superboy's secret identity would one day end up saving Superman's life (explaining why the Legion allowed Pete to retain that knowledge); however, no Superman story ever followed up on this detail.
As an adult, Pete was established as a widower who had a son, Jonathan, who also learned the secret of Superman's dual identity (as shown in Action Comics #457). When Pete's son was in a life threatening state, Pete revealed to Clark his knowledge of his friend's dual identity, imploring Superman's help. When Clark was unable to provide this help, Pete suffered a nervous breakdown and attempted to discredit his former friend. Pete resided in a mental institution until his son was eventually saved, at which point the Ross family faded into anonymity. The breach in the childhood friendship apparently never fully recovered.
Modern version
The modern version of Pete is a far more minor character in the Superman comics, who eventually married Lana Lang, with the two having a son, Clark Ross. The two are presently married, but Lana was seeking a divorce until the two reunited following the Ruin storyline (see below). Pete was Vice-President of the United States under Lex Luthor and briefly served as President following Luthor's impeachment, but quickly resigned.
In the modern comic book continuity, Pete was not initially aware of Clark's secret. However, the secret was known by the villainous Manchester Black, who informed then-President Luthor of the secret, only later to wipe his memory of it. Prior to losing the knowledge of Clark's secret, Lex informed Pete that his close friend Clark Kent is in fact Superman. While Pete initially refrained from telling Clark about his knowledge he did eventually tell Kent in Superman 641.
Recently it appeared that Ross had become a villain named "Ruin", but it was later revealed that he had instead been kidnapped by the real Ruin, Professor Emil Hamilton. Hamilton also kidnapped Pete's wife and child. Superman defeated the insane Professor Hamilton, rescued Pete, Lana, and their child, and exonerated Pete of the charges against him.
In other media
Pete Ross was shown in a brief, non-speaking cameo in the three-part opening episode of the 1990s television cartoon .
In the 2000s television series Smallville, Pete Ross was played by Sam Jones III; unlike in the original comics, Pete is an African-American in this series. Pete in Smallville is a childhood friend who learned about Clark's abilities, which Clark admitted to him after Pete stumbled upon his spaceship during an episode from the second season entitled "Duplicity." Smallville's Pete Ross tends to be extremely loyal to Clark, but is consistently jealous of him, and occasionally forces Clark to choose between helping him and keeping his secret. However, his departure is for Clark's own good; Pete fears that by staying in Smallville, not only is he putting himself in danger, but he is putting Clark's secret in danger. There are subtle hints through the series that Pete may someday fulfill his role as Vice President to Lex Luthor. Following the departure of actor Sam Jones III from the series, the role previously filled by Pete Ross has been filled by Chloe Sullivan, who throughout much of the series found herself in a similar position as that of the comic's Pete Ross, protecting what she knows of Clark's secrets while trying to keep Clark from being aware of it. Eventually, Chloe learned nearly the full truth and admitted it to Clark, promising to keep it a secret between them, just as the show's Pete had before her.
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