“One Bizarre Rumor That Swirled After Tom Selleck Joined Magnum P.I. That Was Totally ‘Bruising'”

As Tom Selleck approaches the end of his tenure on Blue Bloods, he’s been reflecting on his extensive career, which spans several decades. A significant part of this reflection is on his breakout role as Thomas Magnum in the original Magnum P.I., which not only earned him an Emmy but also thrust him into the media spotlight. With fame came rumors, and one particularly “bruising” piece of gossip centered around his marriage.

Celebrity status often comes with intense scrutiny and speculation, which can impact one’s public image. After Selleck took on the role of Magnum, despite initially dismissing the “horrible” pilot script, he and his then-wife, Jacqueline Ray, were subjected to damaging rumors about their marriage. Selleck revealed to The Telegraph that these rumors were painful, as they falsely suggested that his involvement with Magnum P.I. led to their separation. In reality, they had split up a year before the pilot aired. Selleck admitted, “Jacki got the rough end of it. They said I left her because of Magnum, well we split up about a year before the pilot, so all those things were a little bruising.”

Navigating personal privacy while in the public eye is challenging for celebrities, and the rumors surrounding Selleck’s personal life were no exception. Despite his discomfort with the notion that such scrutiny “comes with the territory,” it’s clear that it took a toll on him during a difficult time. After being married to Ray for over a decade, dealing with the added stress of public speculation couldn’t have been easy.

Fortunately, Selleck has managed to maintain a degree of privacy over the years, in part thanks to his ranch, which provides a peaceful retreat from Hollywood’s hustle. While he still faces rumors—such as speculation about his retirement plans following Blue Bloods or reports about his ranch—Selleck seems to handle them with resilience.

Despite the unwelcome side effects of fame during his Magnum P.I. days, Selleck looks back on that period fondly. As he wraps up his long-running CBS drama, which concludes later this year, he remains hopeful about the future. Selleck has expressed no intention of retiring and even hopes Blue Bloods might be renewed. In the meantime, his ranch offers a sanctuary where he can enjoy a more private life and find solace away from the limelight.