“Lessons from Tom Selleck”
Tom Selleck, at 79, reflects on his extensive career in his new memoir, You Never Know. In a recent Esquire interview, he shared some key moments from his life:
As a child, I broke a neighbor’s window with a baseball. My mom insisted I confess to my dad, who calmly thanked me for being honest. He then guided me through repairing the damage, teaching me a valuable lesson in responsibility.
In college, I played basketball at USC but struggled academically, often facing probation. When my draft deferment expired, I chose to enlist in the California Army National Guard, serving six years with pride.
My acting career started with a minor role in Lancer, which few remember. My family’s support was crucial, especially my mom’s consistent praise.
When I was cast in Magnum P.I., the original script was problematic. Jim Garner advised me to use my moment of leverage to demand changes. I refused the initial script, and the studio eventually brought in a new writer who improved it. If the show hadn’t succeeded, my career could have been at risk.
