The Real Tom Selleck

Have you heard of Thomas Magnum, Police Chief Jesse Stone, Frank Regan or Dr. Stone? If you don’t know him by those names maybe you know him by Tom Selleck! We love him and his iconic mustache! Tom Selleck must be one of the most respected actors in Hollywood, but most people don’t know the details about his life or career. His story is very interesting and actually quite complex. He had to deal with a controversial lawsuit, and there has been much speculation about his relationships with his daughters and co-stars. We have all the gossip here, so fear not! We won’t only inform you about the drama, we also want to tell you about his romantic life, his work, and his unique personality.

As far as Hollywood is concerned, Tom Selleck is nothing short of a legend. He is probably best known for his roles on television. He appeared on Magnum P.I, Friends, The Rockford Files, and many more! He always does a great job and leaves a lasting memory in the minds of viewers. He is now 73 years old and has appeared in over 50 films! Can you believe that? Some of the most notable ones have to be Quigley Down Under, Three Men and A Baby, Mr. Baseball and Lassiter. He also is an esteemed television commercial star! It seems like there is nothing he can’t do.

In terms of his romantic life, there is much to say. He previously was well known for being a bit of a playboy but it seems like he has settled down. He has publically admitted to having relationships with women who are in relationships themselves, but we think this behavior has changed. He found love when he met ‘Cats’ star Jillie. His first marriage to model Jacqueline Ray didn’t work out, but he tied the knot for the second time with Jillie Mack in 1987. It seems like they are still together and going strong! They have a daughter together named Hannah. Did you know the Selleck family also owns a massive avocado farm? It got them in a bit of legal trouble. Want to know if he was guilty?

So, there is plenty of really interesting things about the man and legend: Tom Selleck. What are you waiting for? Read on to see what we’ve discovered:

Dreamer

The Selleck family relocated from Detroit to California when Tom was a young child. His father worked in real estate while his mother was a housewife. They have instilled discipline and good work ethic. To this day, Tom lives by these qualities. He has even taught his daughter the same thing. “She’s always been there and always been very fair — even when she said, ‘Wait till your father gets home,’ which usually was for good reason,” he said when his mother passed away last year.

Not The NBA

After his high school graduation, Selleck studied at the University of Southern California. While he had a basketball scholarship, he worked part-time as a model to supplement his finances. He was studying Business Administration but things changed when his drama coach saw potential in him. Selleck followed his advice and began to study under the tutelage of Milton Katselas from the Beverly Hills Playhouse.

My Country

You probably don’t know this, but he was in the army from 1967 to 1973! Selleck was in the California Army National Guard’s 160th Infantry Regiment. According to him, “I am a veteran, I’m proud of it. I was a sergeant in the U.S. Army infantry, National Guard, Vietnam era. We’re all brothers and sisters in that sense.”

Influence

According to Selleck, his 70th birthday was the first time he has felt like a grown man after his father died in 2011. “I had had a lot of leadership positions, I had been in the military…but you know, in my case, when my father died, I go, ‘There’s nobody to go to for fatherly advice. You’re on your own, pal’,” Selleck explained.

Only The Start

It all started when his drama coach and fraternity brothers suggested that he try out for The Dating Game. He followed their advice and he would gain quite a big following after appearing on the show. Pepsi would even contact him and hire him for a commercial! This would signal the start of a wonderful career.

Opportunity

It isn’t surprising to hear that Twentieth Century Fox became interested in the young man. They were intent on getting Selleck to sign with them! It’s a good thing that he was a smart man— when he signed the contract, he immediately enrolled in a training class.

Soap Opera Kid

One of his first roles was the minor character Jed Andrews on The Young and the Restless. The love triangles that the character was involved in would transcend the limits of the small screen! It seemed like foreshadowing when you consider the fact that the actor’s relationships mirrored it perfectly.

Beginnings

Selleck was able to land his biggest role as Thomas Magnum in Magnum when he was 35 years old. It was his shot to make a name for himself. The actor would fly all the way to Hawaii to shoot the show. However, not everything went according to the plan—did you know that filming was delayed for 6 months due to a strike in the writer’s room? Money was tight and Selleck had to work as a handyman to keep himself afloat. We admire how adaptable the actor was!

Magnum P.I.

It’s safe to say that Magnum P.I. was a hit. After all, it was on air for eight seasons! Yup, that was 163 episodes of Tom Selleck decked out in a Detroit Tigers cap and Hawaiian shirts. We’re sure that fans of the show have similar merch in their closets. Let’s not forget about the mustache, either!

They See Me Rollin’

Here is something you might not know. That red Ferrari the main character drives around in was not part of the original script! It was actually supposed to be a Porsche. However, Selleck simply could not fit in one. They had to make to switch in order to accommodate his size! That must have sucked for Porsche, but we really can’t imagine Thomas Magnum riding anything else

Nothing But Respect

Larry Manetti published his Aloha Magnum memoir in 1996. Everyone must have been waiting to hear all about the scandals on the set. However, Selleck’s Magnum costar only had praises for the leading actor! Manetti talked about Selleck’s excellent work ethic, charity work, and friendly demeanor.

Star!

We doubt that you would be surprised to know that Tom Selleck has earned a star of his own on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It was dedicated to him in 1986. We bet that it would not exist if it weren’t for his work on Magnum P.I.! If you’re interested in taking a look at it, go right over to 6925 Hollywood Boulevard.

One, Two

It’s extremely difficult to imagine someone else playing the main character in Magnum, P.I. However, that was almost what happened. The producers initially wanted TV star Kevin Dobson. It’s a good thing he would eventually turn it down. That was actually Selleck was able to get his hands on the role!

A Miss

According to his contract, Selleck was not supposed to work on anything else while shooting for Magnum, P.I. is ongoing. He was unable to accept several job offers because of this condition! We sure that the part of Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark is one of his biggest regrets. He had to turn it down due to his schedule, but he could have worked on it had he known that production would be delayed!

Swing And A Miss

Did you know that Selleck could have been in Victor/Victoria alongside Julie Andrews? The actor expressed apprehension about the role in the beginning but later decided that he wanted to play the part. It was too late, however, as he already signed onto Magnum.

Creative Team

Did you know that the character was initially supposed to be more like James Bond? It’s true! It was Selleck who was able to convince the writers to change him into a more approachable character. We’re glad that the actor was able to voice his concerns. It would not have been the same had he not made the request!

First Wife

Tom Selleck tied the knot with Jacqueline Ray, a model he had been dating for a year. Sadly, the marriage would end in divorce 11 years later. The actor actually adopted Kevin, her son. Despite everything, he was able to maintain the relationship with his stepson.

A Superstar of It’s Own

Of course you’re familiar with Tom Selleck’s mustache! Aside from his acting skills, it is probably the thing that he is most popular for. We daresay that it even belongs to a museum. If you saw him without the mustache, you probably would not recognize him at all. However, there is another celebrity who many people confuse him with.

Agree to Disagree

It’s undeniable that the mustache is his signature feature. However, it has caused some confusion among his viewers. He gets mistaken for one actor in particular. “There was a time I could have been mistaken for Burt Reynolds. I had a mustache and so did he. But he was the number one star in the world, so there wasn’t really much confusion,” he explained.

Ay Baby

One year before Magnum came to a close, Selleck worked on Three Men and a Baby alongside Steve Guttenberg and Ted Danson. He might be most popular for his portrayal of Magnum, but the movie was able to further advance his career. The film was able to gross over $170 million in the U.S., making it the biggest motion picture box office of the year!

Love Story

A year before the finale of Magnum P.I., Selleck would marry Jillie Mack. The couple has a daughter, Hannah. The family present lives in California.

Small Role

Selleck was able to get his wife and parents on Magnum P.I.! They played minor characters, but that’s still amazing to hear. Jillie appeared during the Rembrandt’s Girl episode from the fourth season.

The Right

Many celebrities are unwilling to publicize their political leanings, but not Selleck. The actor was very open about his views and announced that he was a Republican. He actually endorsed John McCain in the 2008 presidential election! He is also a member of the National Rifle Association, where he sits as one of the directors on the board.

Neither Here Nor There

Surprisingly, the actor did not publicly support anyone during the 2016 Presidential race. He did not disclose whether he voted for Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton, even now. However, he did write a letter to David Brown, the former department chief of the Dallas Police. Selleck penned the letter to let him know that he appreciated the way Brown handled the Dallas police shooting!

Cha-Ching

Selleck has had a successful career throughout the years. He has starred in over 50 roles by now! However, his net worth comes up to only $25 million. Sure, that is still a lot of money but it is lower than one would expect.

Baywatch

Did you know that Selleck had the opportunity to portray Mitch Buchannon on Baywatch? It’s true! The actor, however, declined the offer. You’re probably wondering why. Well, it is all because he refused to be a sex symbol! Interesting, don’t you think?

Dr. Richard Burke

Do you remember his appearance on Friends as Dr. Richard Burke? Yes, Tom Selleck guest starred in the second season as Monica’s then-boyfriend. His performance was impressive enough to land him a nomination for the Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series!

Frank Reagan

These days, you will see him play Frank Reagan on Blue Bloods. His character on the show is a police commissioner. Apparently, he’s used to receiving salutes whenever he steps out in costume. Why? Well, police officers are supposed to salute police commissioners. We’re sure he’s flattered to be mistaken for a real high-ranking officer!

Dad Jokes

His costar Donnie Wahlberg has publicly spoken about Tom Selleck’s brand of humor. “He can [be funny], yes, usually after he makes sure everyone understands what’s important. It would feel like Christmas on a Tuesday night in August when my dad started telling jokes and it’s the same thing with Tom, when he starts with his oddball jokes and his weird rhymes that he tells from 1930 that are so funny. Everybody feels so much lighter and happier.”

An Affair To Remember

Before he tied the knot with Jillian, Selleck was something of a playboy. He had a fling with model Marie Helvin, who would detail their fling in her autobiography. She said, “When I visited Hawaii once, Tom Selleck was shooting for Magnum PI. We met and bit of an affair started, then Selleck came to London, we had dinner and went back to his hotel. But the next morning, I sent him a letter to break off this relationship because I was worried about my married life. Later on after a week, he joined Musical Cats backstage and met his wife-to-be.”

Tom and Mimi

Did you know that Tom dated Mimi Rogers for some time? The two would date each other for an entire year. It was a rather tumultuous relationship and Rogers would later marry Tom Cruise.

Grilled By Rosie

Selleck was invited to Rosie O’ Donnell’s show. Initially, the actor thought that it was for the promotion of his 1999 film The Love Letter. However, O’Donnell surprised him by interrogating him about his thoughts on gun ownership. The actor only replied, “It’s your show, and you can talk about it after I leave.”

Killers

In 2010, he starred in a movie called Killers with Ashton Kutcher and Katherine Heigl. From the beginning, Kutcher knew the type of man he wanted portraying Mr. Kornfeldt. He explained his thought process during casting: “I call Mr. Kornfeldt ‘Sir’ in the script a lot. And I was thinking, ‘Who am I going to call Sir?’ Who’s a bigger guy, who’s got an intimidating thing, but doesn’t have to try to be intimidating?” And that’s how the role went to Tom Selleck!

A Break

Work-life balance is the greatest challenge in any career. It bothered Selleck that he barely had time to spend with his family while he was doing Magnum. This was the reason he chose to take a break when his career was at its peak. It’s obvious that this is a man who has his priorities straight!

Hard Times

The actor gave some wonderful insight on relationships: “I’ve found it very difficult to expose my private life and live with it. It’s important to nurture your marriage. I think wanting time away from work has been good for that.”

Reasons Reasons

Tom Selleck talked about the difficulties of starring in Magnum P.I. He told Closer Weekly, “Magnum, P.I. went to 163 shows and we still had ground to cover, and I wasn’t tired of it. I was tired from it because I was in every shot.” He probably prefers the freedom he enjoys with Blue Bloods since there are plenty of scenes without the character he portrays.

Not The Only Reason

It wasn’t the only reason why he wanted to leave, however. “I quit Magnum to have a family,” Selleck explained. “It took a long time to get off the train, but I try very hard to have balance.” It’s fantastic to hear a great actor who chooses his family over his career!

Words of Wisdom

Sure, his marriage to Jillie might be his second one. However, it appears that this is a relationship for a lifetime! Jillie Mack is clearly his true love. The couple has been together for around 30 years now. “It’s important to nurture your marriage. I think wanting time away from work has been good for that,” the star said.

I Do

Tom Selleck and Jill Mack got married in 1987. The ceremony was private and it was organized by Bob Selleck, the star’s brother. They tied the knot in a chapel in Lake Tahoe, Nevada under the codenames “Tom Jenkins” and “Suzie Mark.” The minister would only find out who he was marrying just minutes before the ceremony began!

Nervous

According to the wedding officiant Rev. David Immel, “They were both nervous, like any other couple about to get married. He was very concerned that the service be heartfelt, very concerned for her that the service be meaningful. He is a very warm, caring man.” Aww!

My Daughter, Hannah

Tom Selleck, just like any other father, loves his daughter. It is a good thing that he and Jillie understood that it was important for Hannah to grow up normally. They did their best to keep her out of the limelight. Wouldn’t you have done the same thing? The 29-year-old is an equestrian, but she models every now and then for her sponsors and her friends.

Encouragement

Hannah was not raised in a glamorous way. You might be surprised to learn that she was raised on their farm. She learned many life lessons while growing up there. It is also clear that her love of horses came from there. So how did she get into horse-riding, anyway? “As a kid they tried to raise me as normally as possible given my dad’s line of work. Those horses have been a great way for me to have my own accomplishments outside of whatever my parents had done.”

Our Decision

“We both thought it was the best environment for [Hannah] to grow up,” Jillie explained. So was raising their daughter on a 65-acre ranch the right thing to do? Considering how their daughter has become such a well-rounded human being, it’s safe to say that the answer is yes.

Farm Life

As an equestrian, there is no doubt that Hannah adores horses. It is not a stretch to say that she would be a different person without it! So what has she been up to recently? “I have a small breeding program in California where I’m developing young horses to bring along and sell. It’s a business that so far has been really great and a great experience. It is a very expensive sport, so that is why my dad encouraged and invested in this breeding operation. They have been very supportive. The prices of horses have become astronomical. So that’s why it’s so much more rewarding to bring a horse along on your own.”

How Far?

It must be hard to run a 60-acre avocado farm. We bet that it is a difficult operation and that control is important at all times. This must have been difficult during the California drought several years ago! Tom Selleck actually hired a truck to get water from a hydrant in a nearby town. In the end, they found that he transferred water that was worth around $1.4 million during this period! This was clearly a felony in the eyes of the law.

On The Other Side

In 2015, Selleck was sued by the Calleguas Municipal Water District. The allegations were about illegal transportation of water. A private investigation would uncover the fact that the actor has hired tanker trucks to do the dirty work multiple times. Apparently, he conducted twelve operations in a 2-year period! A lawsuit had been previously filed against him, but he simply ignored it.

Settlement

A lot of this information was uncovered by a private investigator hired by the water district agency. However, it was not pro-bono work—the investigation would end up costing $22,000! Both parties would choose to settle out of court and Tom Selleck was only required to pay $21,000.

Stepson Woes

Of course, how can we forget about Kevin, his stepson from his first marriage? The pair shared a good bond between them ever since Kevin’s childhood years. Unfortunately, the younger man would have to contend with a failed music career and financial difficulties. These had made him a rather difficult person to deal with and their relationship has suffered because of it.

Coffee Time

Selleck said that he made a conscious effort to be aware of his socialization with women after his second marriage. When Sophia Loren moved into their neighborhood, Jillie was understandably nervous. “If I was on my way to Home Depot and she was out on the driveway in her bathrobe and she said exactly these words: ‘Thomaso, would you like a cappuccino?’ I could go in,” he mentioned. Nonetheless, Selleck is not the playboy that he once was.

Ethics

Sure, the actor had quite a number of scandals, but these days he has a set of rules he follows. “I try very hard to conduct myself in an ethical way, because that’s important to my stability now,” he elaborated. “We’re a culture that’s so centered on the individual. The culture says that basically nothing is more important than the way you feel.”

Raspberry Kiss

Did you know that Selleck appeared as a guest on The Chevy Chase Show in 1993? The skit involved a scene where he was awarded the Worst Supporting Actor in the 1992 Razzie Awards. The nomination was for his performance in Christopher Columbus: The Discovery as King Ferdinand. Selleck was good-natured about it and even asked members of the audience to “blow me a raspberry.”

Heart of Gold

We have already heard various anecdotes about his kindness, but here’s one more. Universal Studio decided to give the actor a whopping $350,000 bonus! The actor used some of the money to buy a Rolex and Porsche, but he gave a lot of money away. In fact, he handed each member of the set a $1,000 cash bonus each.

Good Reason

A lot of fans were disappointed when they found out that Selleck would not be in the Magnum P.I. film adaptation. During one interview, the actor gave a rather blunt response. “I tell you what worries me — because I love “Magnum” and we have loyal fans — is they take these TV show titles, and they buy them and they spend $100 million on special effects, and then they make fun of them and trivialize it. Then they try and get the actor who used to be in it to do some ridiculous cameo to prove to the audience that it’s OK. And I will not do that.”

Spike!

Here’s something you probably do not know: Tom Selleck is great at beach and indoor volleyball! He is Honolulu’s Outrigger Canoe Club outside hitter player. One teammate had this to say about the actor: “Tom was a great teammate, appreciative of being included with such a talented and experienced group, practicing and playing hard when his Magnum schedule permitted… He was very patient with all of us, and we relished the big crowds that replaced the usual sparse number of players’ friends and spouses at the national tourney matches.”

Say It Ain’t So

Tom Selleck did the unthinkable in 1997: he shaved his mustache! It’s okay, feel free to take a moment and let that sink in. The move was not for kicks, however! It was actually for the movie In & Out. Since then, Selleck would only ever shave it off when his role demanded it.

Broadway

Selleck actually did theater work as well. In 2001, he played Murray in the Broadway adaptation of A Thousand Clowns. Sadly, he received a lot of backlash for his performance. Many people believed that he was unable to top the portrayal by Jason Robards, Jr. in the film version. The playwright, meanwhile, defended the actor and explained that he intentionally wrote the character that way.

Outdoorsman

Selleck had several qualities that would make him a great Western star. Let’s not forget that he was a marksman, firearms collector, and outdoorsman! He would become famous after starring in hits like Quigley Down Under, The Shadow Riders, The Sacketts, and Crossfire Trail.

Honor

The International Mustache Hall of Fame reserved a spot for the actor and he was inducted in 2015. The actor was, of course, included in the Film and Television section.

I’ll Be Back

Aside from Indy, did you know that Selleck had to decline another amazing acting gig thanks to Magnum, P.I.? We are talking about none other than the eponymous character from the 1984 sci-fi movie The Terminator!

Helping Hand

Selleck is someone who loves to help other people. He does a lot of work for charities and programs in order to give back. At the moment, he works with the Character Counts Coalition, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and the Joseph & Edna Josephson Institute of Ethics. He also helps with the New York City Student/Sponsor Partnership Program. If you aren’t impressed by him thus far, you definitely should be by now!

Female Sequel Series

We can’t think of anything we are more excited for than the upcoming Magnum, P.I. spin-off. It will have Eva Longoria as the executive producer AND the cast will be all-female. The plot is about Lily Magnum as she replaces her father as the head of the firm

A Spin

The original Ferrari 308 featured on Magnum, P.I. was sold at an Arizona auction recently. It had an asking price of a whopping $250,000. The beautiful car was a prize in itself already, but it was also accompanied by a certificate of authentication! It ended up going for $181,500. Yep, we were jealous as well.

Friends

Remember his portrayal of Dr. Richard Burke on Friends? Fans loved Tom Selleck on the show and the character has since been proclaimed the third top guest character on the show. Only Brad Pitt and Paul Rudd were able to best the ophthalmologist.

Changes

Another iconic role was lawman Jesse Stone in the TV film adaptations of the novels by Robert B. Parker. Right now, there are nine movies out. Did you know that Selleck has produced and written certain episodes? Yes! Jesse Stone: Thin Ice was not a novel— the idea actually came from Selleck himself.

Commercials

His career began with a commercial and he did not stop shooting them! It’s easy to see why many companies sought him out for their advertisement materials. His face has been used to promote AT&T, Florida’s Natural Orange Juice, and Right Guard.

The First

Tom Selleck is an iconic man, but did you know that he has another interesting record under his belt? Yes! On August 11, 1997, he would become the first celebrity to appear on The View.

My Sign

Selleck was born towards the end of January, so the is considered an Aquarius. People who have this star sign are interesting people. Curiosity, affection, frankness, and truthfulness are some of their key attributes. That certainly sounds like a certain mustached man we know.

Awards, Awards

Tom Selleck won both a Golden Globe and an Emmy for Magnum, P.I. Aside from these, he was also nominated multiple times for Golden Globe, Emmy, and People’s Choice Awards! We only wish that we were as talented as him.

Las Vegas

After Magnum, P.I., Selleck’s next regular role would be A.J. Cooper on Las Vegas. In 2007, his character is the owner of the Montecito Casino on the show.

Character

Did you know that Tom Selleck received an honorary doctorate from Pepperdine University? It’s true! This happened in 2000.

Tigers

Not everyone can claim that Tom Selleck always has their back. The Detroit Tigers is certainly an exception. He would even be a minority owner of the team!

Voice Over

Aside from acting, Selleck also lent his voice to a documentary series! You will hear him narrate the series called North America. We are certain that he was able to further enrich the storytelling aspect of the documentary!

Classy

Magnum fans who find themselves in Washington, D.C. must not forget to visit the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. Check out the Hawaiian shirt on display in the museum! This is actually the iconic shirt that Magnum wore during filming.

Memorial Fund

Tom Selleck became the national spokesman of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund Education Center. This happened in February 2009.

I Like It

In an interview, Selleck shed some light on his career preferences. He said that he loves the fact that Frank Reagan, his character on Blue Bloods, is a Catholic. However, the actor is actually not religious!

Cats

It must have been lonely when he filed for divorce. At this time, he was working in London. He mentioned wanting to watch ‘Cats’ on stage and he saw it with his coworkers. Interestingly, he kept going back after that very first show! What was the reason for this?

The Star

The actor watched the musical multiple times because he was absolutely smitten with Rumpleteazer. The actress was no one but Jillie Joan Mack! Selleck would eventually introduce himself and they would finally go out on a date! It was a good thing that ‘Cats’ was finishing around the same time so that they had a lot of time to spend together.

Bold Move

Mack made the decision to move to Hawaii. The two was undeniably in love and it showed. The actress was in attendance when a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame was dedicated to Selleck.

Stronger Together

Selleck spoke of his marriage on the NY Daily News: “Jillie and I have a pretty good partnership. We don’t do anything or make any decisions without consulting each other. And if one of us makes a decision involving Hannah, the other parent completely supports that position, even if you disagree.”

Lots Of Love

You might not have heard about Tom Selleck recently, but don’t worry. The actor is simply laying low so that he can focus on his wife and daughter. It’s safe to say that he is no longer the playboy we once knew. Nowadays, he focuses solely on Jillie and Hannah.