Tom Selleck has enjoyed a lengthy and successful show business career. The star of Magnum, P.I. and Blue Bloods remains deeply passionate about his work. The next season of the acclaimed drama series is set to air soon.
Throughout the years, Selleck has taken on many demanding roles, often choosing to perform his own stunts. Unfortunately, this decision has had lingering effects, especially now that he is 77 years old.
Tom Selleck didn’t initially aspire to be an actor. Born on January 29, 1945, in Detroit, Michigan, Tom’s family moved to California, where he grew up in the San Fernando Valley.
Tom Selleck – Early Life
Selleck dreamed of attending the University of Southern California (USC), but his family’s finances couldn’t cover the expense. In 1962, he graduated from Grant High School. To save money, Tom enrolled at Los Angeles Valley College and lived at home with his parents.
Initially, it seemed more likely Tom would pursue a career in athletics. He was an up-and-coming basketball player with dreams of going pro. He was thrilled to receive a basketball scholarship to the University of Southern California.
“I never did school plays. I had no interest,” Tom told AARP in 2015.
Yet competing at a high college level proved difficult. KSL reported that during the 1965-1966 season, Tom scored just four points in seven games for the USC Trojans. The following year, he was scoreless in three games.
An excerpt from USC’s school guide praised Tom as an “agile and quick performer” but noted he needed to “work on defense.”
Ultimately, Tom couldn’t compete with his bigger, taller teammates. “I was pretty good, but I wasn’t good enough,” Selleck recalled.
Tom Selleck – Start of Acting Career
Knowing basketball likely wasn’t in his future, Tom had a backup plan. He took on side jobs to pay tuition, earning small roles in TV commercials and appearing on The Dating Game—though he doesn’t look back on the latter with fondness.
“Humiliating and embarrassing,” he said. “I lost. Twice. I wasn’t particularly funny or glib.”
Soon after, Selleck joined 20th Century Fox’s talent program. He started honing his skills but left after two years for six months of active duty. Upon his return, he was dropped. Undeterred, Tom pursued his acting dream and landed small parts in numerous 1970s TV series.
Despite several TV pilots, Tom’s big break didn’t come right away. When he landed the role of Thomas Magnum in Magnum, P. I., many believed he was an overnight success—but it took years of hard work.
Breakthrough on ‘Magnum P.I.’
“The luckiest thing that happened was that I didn’t get a real job until I was 35,” Selleck explained. “When I was 25, I looked 35 but sounded 15.”
Magnum, P.I. aired from 1980 to 1988 and brought Tom instant celebrity status. He was nominated for five Emmys for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, winning in 1984.
After years of struggling, Tom was finally on top. “I think if Magnum hadn’t worked out, I’d never have worked again in this business,” he admitted.
In 2010, Selleck started a new chapter as Frank Reagan on Blue Bloods. The show is renewed for its 13th season, premiering this fall.
Tom Selleck’s Struggles with Back Pain
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Selleck’s net worth is around $45 million. While many actors use stunts persons, Tom often opted to do his own, which has taken a toll on his body.
“My back’s kind of messed up,” Selleck shared. “When you do stunts in movies, you’re taking a risk. You sit around a lot, then jump into action. The stop-and-go nature takes a toll.”
Though Tom doesn’t enjoy going to the gym, he stays active by working on his 63-acre family ranch in Ventura, California.
“I do a lot of the grunt work, clearing brush, and planting trees on the ranch,” he said. “We’ve got about a hundred ancient oaks that I planted myself.”
Tom Selleck – Wife, Marriage, Daughter Hannah
Tom’s career is admirable, but equally noteworthy is his loyalty to his wife Jillie Mack. While many celebrity marriages fade, Tom and Jillie have been married for 35 years.
In an interview with Closer Weekly, Tom recalled meeting Jillie during a performance of Cats, in which she starred. It was the 1980s, post his decade-long marriage to model Jacqueline Ray.
Despite his on-screen charm, Jillie made the first move. “She had to go on [stage]. I was hemming and hawing, and she finally asked, ‘Do you want to meet for a cocktail?’” Selleck recalled.
They married in 1987 in a private ceremony, and their daughter Hannah was born a year later.
Tom has always put family first, stepping back from his acting career to ensure he has time for his wife and daughter. “I quit Magnum to have a family,” Tom told People in 2012. “It took a long time to get off the train, but this ranch has helped me find a balance.”
Tom and Jillie live on their ranch in Ventura, where daughter Hannah grew up. Sharing a passion for horses, they eventually started a horse breeding business. Hannah pursued riding professionally, qualifying for several prestigious competitions and winning multiple medals.
Hannah finished top-five in St. Moritz, Switzerland; Belgium; the Netherlands; and the Canadian Pacific Grand Prix at the 2015 Longines Masters of Los Angeles.
Passion for Horses
In 2018, Hannah shattered her tibia and fibula. Though she was warned she might not run again, she made a wonderful recovery.
Today, she runs a successful breeding and training operation called Descanso Farm. We hope that she and Tom continue to share their love for horses for many years.
Tom Selleck will always hold a special place in our hearts. We wish him and his family health and happiness for years to come. Please share this article on Facebook with friends and family if you, too, wish the best for Tom Selleck!
