“Tom Selleck Reveals All About His Career and the Future of ‘Blue Bloods'”

Tom Selleck wants to clarify one thing: “It’s not like I’m retiring or anything.” After more than five decades in the entertainment industry, the 79-year-old Emmy-winning actor has penned a memoir. For the first time, Tom opens up about his career, from his early days in the Fox New Talent program to his iconic role on Magnum P.I. and his current work on Blue Bloods.

In a recent interview with Country Living, Tom discussed his memoir, You Never Know, which is now available.

On His New Memoir

Tom admits that writing a memoir was a challenge for him. “I’m pretty private, and it took a lot to convince me to do this,” he says. “I hesitated because I didn’t think my life had the kind of drama that made for a good book. I didn’t end up in prison or anything like that.” He adds, “I knew I wasn’t going to write a tell-all or a political book. It took about four years to put together. I wrote it with a pen and yellow pad because I prefer not to use a computer.”

Tom’s memoir is more than just a personal reflection; it’s also a guide for young actors. He shares valuable lessons, like the importance of choosing not to be offended. His conversational style reveals insights into his experiences, from his friendship with Sam Elliott (formed during their time in the Fox New Talent program) to his days filming Magnum P.I. in Hawaii, his near-miss on Raiders of the Lost Ark, attending the Academy Awards with Carol Burnett, and even dancing with Princess Diana at the White House.

On His 36-Year Marriage

Although most of the memoir focuses on his career, Tom does reflect on his private life, particularly his 36-year marriage to Jillie Mack. He recounts their secret wedding with charm and humor. Following the success of Three Men and a Baby in 1987, Tom and Jillie decided to marry discreetly. Tom describes how they managed to keep the ceremony a secret, including wearing a disguise to the county clerk’s office in Reno and getting married in a Lake Tahoe strip mall chapel. Their small, intimate wedding was attended only by Tom’s immediate family and Jillie’s closest relatives. They still cherish the 18 Polaroids taken that day.

On Westerns

In his memoir, Tom also reflects on his long-standing friendship with Sam Elliott and their work in Westerns. Tom describes Elliott as “a lanky guy with a deep voice” who was “more…formed” from the start. They collaborated on The Sacketts in 1979 and The Shadow Riders in 1982.

Tom is passionate about Westerns and their place in American culture. He sees the land in Westerns as a vital character in its own right, which contributes to their enduring appeal. Tom now lives on a 60-acre ranch in California, a dream he realized after being inspired by his work in Westerns.

He also recalls a conversation with Yellowstone star Kevin Costner about balancing directing and acting. “Kevin always knows what he wants,” Tom says. He credits Costner, along with Elliott and a few others, for keeping the Western genre alive.

On the Future of Blue Bloods

Since 2010, Tom has been a central figure on CBS’s Blue Bloods, now in its 14th season. Tom appreciates the show’s character-driven approach, distinguishing it from typical police dramas. He praises the late executive producer Leonard Goldberg for assembling a “genius” cast, including Donnie Wahlberg, Bridget Moynahan, and Len Cariou. Tom’s enthusiasm for the show remains strong, and he is committed to its continued success.