Tom Selleck Looks Back on His Unexpected Acting Journey

Tom Selleck, known for his iconic roles in the ’80s such as the crime drama series Magnum, P.I. and the blockbuster film Three Men and a Baby, which was the top-grossing film of 1987, has recently opened up about his unexpected rise to fame in his new memoir, You Never Know. In the book, Selleck reflects on his unplanned journey to stardom, revealing that acting was never his initial goal. “You Never Know is essentially the story of an accidental career,” he shares.

Selleck’s acting career began by chance in the ’60s when he appeared as a contestant on The Dating Game. This exposure led him to the Fox New Talent Program, a remnant of the old Hollywood studio system. “It wasn’t like I stood out on The Dating Game or anything,” he recalls. “Someone saw me, and a casting director suggested I check out Fox. They had a talent school that offered acting, voice, and dance classes, though the pay was minimal. If I hadn’t grown up in L.A., none of this would have happened. A lot of it was sheer luck.”

As a college senior, Selleck struggled with motivation and had poor academic habits but excelled in sports. “I had great discipline in sports,” he says. “I applied that same work ethic to acting. When Fox let me go along with everyone else in the program, I realized that dedication and failure were part of the process, much like in sports.”

In the ’70s, before his breakthrough, Selleck appeared in numerous commercials while auditioning for various roles. Despite not dreaming of becoming an actor as a child, once he embarked on the path, he committed wholeheartedly to the craft. “Becoming a good actor became my dream,” he notes. “I was focused on honing my skills rather than pursuing fame.”

Reflecting on his early career struggles, Selleck views them as a hidden blessing. “I did six unsold pilots before landing Magnum,” he says. “It was frustrating at times—finding work, going to interviews—but when Magnum finally aired, I was 35, well-trained, and experienced. Very few people get to make their debut in the way I did with Magnum.”