Behind the Mustache: Tom Selleck’s Early Trials and Triumphs
Tom Selleck’s memoir begins with a dramatic and unconventional moment: a car crash at age 17. He was in the passenger seat of his mother’s red Chevy Corvair, airborne with two friends, tumbling off Los Angeles’ Mulholland Drive. Though everyone survived, the accident sets the stage for a compelling look back.
“That’s an unusual way to start,” Selleck, known for “Magnum, P.I.” and “Blue Bloods,” reflects in an interview. “It felt like the perfect way to revisit my upbringing and the impact of that harrowing experience.”
In You Never Know, Selleck chronicles his journey from USC to the Army, his stint as bachelor No. 2 on “The Dating Game,” and his early work in small roles and commercials before achieving lasting fame with his Emmy-winning role as Thomas Magnum. “My life hasn’t been headline-grabbing,” the 79-year-old actor tells The Associated Press. “My goal with this book was to entertain by taking readers inside my head.”
Selleck dedicated four years to writing the book longhand on yellow legal pads, often quoting George Will and Raymond Chandler. His wife would listen to his readings during dinner.
The memoir paints a portrait of an actor who labored tirelessly, facing setbacks like six unsold pilots and the poorly received “Daughters of Satan,” before breaking through in his mid-30s. “If Selleck has one thing to offer, it’s authenticity,” says a reviewer. “He’s thrived in a tough industry by staying true to himself.”
Selleck clarifies he had no interest in a tell-all or sensationalism, though he does share intimate details, such as his secret marriage to his second wife, Jillie Mack, whom he first saw onstage in “Cats.” “There’s a lot I haven’t discussed, and much that’s been misrepresented,” he notes.
Readers will discover that despite his 6-foot-4 frame, matinee-idol looks, and effortless charm, Selleck often struggled with insecurity and self-doubt. He writes, “The critic on your shoulder is a formidable opponent.”
“I wanted to speak directly to young actors,” he says. “It’s a tough road. When you’re selling yourself and hearing ‘no’ 99% of the time, it’s a challenge.”
