“How a Forgotten Marriage License Almost Ruined Tom Selleck’s Wedding—and the Minister’s Quick Thinking Saved the Day”
Tom Selleck’s wedding to Jillie Mack, which has stood the test of time, nearly faced a major hiccup. In an exclusive chat with PEOPLE, the Blue Bloods star, 79, revealed that their August 7, 1987, ceremony almost didn’t go off as planned due to a forgotten marriage license.
Selleck recalls the pre-wedding moments vividly: “Jillie was in a small room near the chapel, preparing for the ceremony. I think my mom was with her, but maybe Marty wasn’t there because she was pregnant at the time,” Selleck says. “Suddenly, there was this commotion. Jillie, who can be very talkative and loud, was in a flurry. I heard all this noise and realized we had completely forgotten the marriage license.”
The couple’s secret ceremony took place at a small chapel near Lake Tahoe, Nevada, with only a few close friends and family present. The reverend, however, came to their rescue.
Selleck fondly remembers, “What I recall most about the wedding is Reverend David stepping in and saying he’d sign the documents anyway. He drove all the way to Reno to get the license, so we could go ahead with our dinner and the ceremony. It turned into quite an adventure, but it’s a story I wouldn’t trade for anything.” Despite the unique setting with Astroturf decor, Selleck notes the reverend and his wife went above and beyond to make the day special.
Selleck attributes the longevity of their marriage to Mack’s independent spirit and active lifestyle. “Jillie has always had her own life and interests. I don’t think our relationship would have lasted if she were just consumed by my career,” he explains. “I remember one time she stayed in Hawaii and made my friend Dave Muntz take her roller skating, just so she could practice for an audition for Starlight Express.”
The couple welcomed their daughter, Hannah Margaret Selleck, on December 16, 1988, nearly a year after their wedding. Selleck also has a son, Kevin, from his previous marriage to Jacqueline Ray.
