Tom Selleck has had a long and successful career in show business. The star of “Magnum, P.I.” and “Blue Bloods” is still passionate about his work, with the next season of “Blue Bloods” set to air soon.

Selleck has played many tough roles over the years, and at 77, he has a history of doing his own stunts, which has taken a toll on his body.

Early Life and Acting Dreams

Tom Selleck wasn’t sure he wanted to be an actor growing up. Born on January 29, 1945, in Detroit, Michigan, his family later moved to California, where he grew up in the San Fernando Valley.

Selleck dreamed of going to the University of Southern California (USC), but his family couldn’t afford the tuition. He graduated from Grant High School in 1962 and attended Los Angeles Valley College, living at home to save money.

He initially aimed for a career in athletics and dreamed of going pro in basketball. He even earned a basketball scholarship to USC. However, playing at a high college level was tough. He scored just four points in seven games during the 1965-1966 season and was scoreless the following year.

“I was pretty good, but I wasn’t good enough,” Selleck recalled.

Start of Acting Career

Realizing basketball might not be his future, Selleck had a backup plan. He landed a few gigs in TV commercials and appeared on “The Dating Game,” which wasn’t his proudest moment but shaped his future.

“Humiliating and embarrassing,” he recalled about the dating show. “I lost. Twice. I wasn’t particularly funny or glib.”

Shortly after, Selleck joined 20th Century Fox’s talent program but had to leave for six months of active duty. Upon returning, he was dropped from the program but remained confident he would make it as an actor.

In the early 1970s, Selleck landed small parts in TV series. Approaching his mid-30s, he starred in six TV pilots but didn’t get his big break until he landed the role of Thomas Magnum in “Magnum, P.I.”

Breakthrough with ‘Magnum, P.I.’

Magnum, P.I. became a huge success, airing between 1980 and 1988. Selleck was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series five years in a row, finally winning in 1984.

“For more than a decade, Selleck had struggled to make it as an actor and was close to giving up. “I think if Magnum hadn’t worked out, I’d never have worked again in this business,” he admitted.

Selleck’s career soared with other credits including “Three Men and a Baby” and “In & Out.” He also gained a new generation of fans starring as Monica Geller’s older boyfriend, Richard Burke, in “Friends.”

In 2010, Selleck took on the role of Frank Reagan in “Blue Bloods,” which has been a major success and was recently renewed for its 13th season.

Struggles with Back Pain

Selleck has a net worth of around $45 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. He’s done many of his own stunts, which has affected his body over time.

“My back’s kind of messed up,” Selleck shared. “When you do stunts in movies—I do a lot of them—you’re taking a risk, but you’re also sitting around a lot. So you might do a fight scene, and then you sit in your chair, and it’s not like you have a personal trainer saying, ‘Okay, we’re ready to go, but Tom needs ten minutes of stretching and warm-up.’”

Selleck doesn’t like going to the gym, but he keeps fit by working at his family ranch in Ventura, California. “I have a 63-acre ranch, and I do not all, but a lot of, the grunt work. Clearing brush, planting trees. We’ve got about a hundred ancient oaks I planted. I’ve probably planted a thousand trees myself.”

Family Life

Tom Selleck has been married to Jillie Mack for 35 years. He met her at a performance of the musical “Cats” in the 1980s after his decade-long marriage to model Jacqueline Ray ended.

“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.

Selleck and Mack married in 1987 in a private ceremony. Their daughter Hannah was born a year later.

“I quit Magnum to have a family,” Selleck told People in 2012. “It took a long time to get off the train, but I try very hard to have balance, and this ranch has helped me do that.”

Passion for Horses

Selleck and his daughter Hannah share a passion for horses. They started a side business breeding horses. Hannah pursued riding professionally and has done very well, qualifying for several Grand Prix level competitions.

Although Hannah suffered a major injury in 2018, she has recovered and continues to be involved in the equestrian world through their breeding and training operation, Descanso Farm.

Tom Selleck will always have a special place in our hearts. We wish him and his family good health and happiness for many years to come.

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