“Tom Selleck Calls 4-Decade Hollywood Career ‘Accidental,’ Reveals ‘No Desire’ to Act”
Tom Selleck never intended to become an actor, let alone star in two iconic series, “Magnum P.I.” and “Blue Bloods.” In a recent cover story interview, Selleck shared, “It’s really the story of an accidental career. I never took an acting class. I had no training or desire to act.”
He added, “People might say, ‘Oh, he was bitten by the acting bug’ or ‘He wanted to be a star,’ but that’s not how I’ve ever thought. I just wanted a job and to work.”
Reflecting on his journey in his new memoir, You Never Know, set to release on May 7, Selleck described his career as marked by “endless failures.” He explained, “If you’re going to get into the acting business, you better have an appetite for it. I wanted to convey that, because it was a long road.”
Selleck’s path to stardom began with a basketball scholarship to USC, where he majored in business administration. He initially worked as a basketball player in a Pepsi commercial before transitioning to acting roles, including appearances on “The Young and the Restless” and various Westerns. His big break came in 1980 with “Magnum P.I.” at age 35.
In 1983, he met his future wife, Jillie Mack, while she was performing in “Cats.” They married in 1987 and have one daughter, Hannah. Selleck also has a son, Kevin, with ex-wife Jacqueline Ray.
The Michigan-born actor cherishes the deep friendship and humor he shares with his wife. He and Mack enjoy their time together at their California ranch, where they often review upcoming scripts for “Blue Bloods.”
As the series enters its final season later this year, Selleck, now 79, reflects with gratitude on his remarkable and unforeseen career.
