“From The Dating Game to Magnum P.I.: Tom Selleck’s Journey Through Struggles and Success at 35”

Tom Selleck Reflects on His Remarkable Career Journey

At 79, Tom Selleck is taking a moment to reflect on his impressive career in this week’s cover story. While he’s best known for his Emmy-winning role as private investigator Thomas Magnum on CBS’s Magnum, P.I., his path to stardom was filled with early challenges.

Before becoming a household name in Oahu, Selleck appeared on the soap opera The Young and the Restless from 1974 to 1975 as Jed Andrews, Lorie Brooks’ love interest. He also had a brief stint on The Dating Game, where he humorously recalls, “I was Bachelor No. 2, and I didn’t get the girl.”

Now recognized for his iconic roles in shows and films like Friends, Three Men and a Baby, and In & Out, Selleck opens up about the ups and downs of his career in his new memoir, You Never Know, set to be released on May 7 by Dey Street Books. He emphasizes that his entry into acting was driven more by a strong work ethic than the pursuit of fame.

“People often say, ‘Oh, he was bitten by the acting bug,’ or ‘He wanted to be a star,’” he shares. “I’ve never thought that way. I just wanted to get a job and work.”

Selleck also discusses a pivotal moment when he stepped back from acting after his daughter, Hannah, whom he shares with wife Jillie Mack, was hospitalized with viral pneumonia during his time on Magnum, P.I. “I had agreed to do the picture because Marlon Brando was in it,” he explains. “I missed all the rehearsals, and when I finally went, I didn’t like that.”

He advises aspiring actors to develop a strong passion for their craft: “If you’re going to get into acting, you better have an appetite for it. It’s a long road.”

As he reflects on his journey, Selleck acknowledges the importance of sharing his own story in his own way. “That’s just me,” he concludes.

For more insights from Selleck’s exclusive interview, check out this week’s issue of people, on newsstands Friday.