Tom Selleck Captivates Audience at 92Y Talk

“Sometimes what you want is wrong.” This piece of wisdom—one that struck a chord with me—was recently shared by the beloved actor Tom Selleck during his talk at the 92nd Street Y (92NY).

Selleck was there to promote his memoir You Never Know, which reflects on his life and career—a journey that took unexpected turns. Initially aiming for a business degree, Selleck found his path altered after taking a film history course to improve his GPA. That class led him to an agent and, ultimately, to an acting career.

“It’s a long, bumpy road with some singles, some home runs, and a whole lot of strikeouts. I figure it’s time to share the ride,” Selleck remarked. His story includes a challenging academic stint at USC, service as an army reservist, a brief appearance on The Dating Game, and roles in modeling and films like Three Men and a Baby and High Road to China. His big break came with the iconic role of Thomas Magnum on Magnum, P.I., a part that required him to turn down the role of Indiana Jones. Many also remember him for his 14-year portrayal of NYPD Commissioner Frank Reagan on Blue Bloods, a role as memorable as his trademark mustache.

The phrase “Sometimes what you want is wrong” resonated strongly with Bridget Moynahan, the event’s moderator and Selleck’s on-screen daughter Erin Reagan on Blue Bloods. Her playful response, “Oh, you don’t have to tell me that,” elicited laughter and applause from the audience, who were familiar with the recent roast of Tom Brady, where jokes about his past relationship with Moynahan were made. (Moynahan, who has been married to businessman Andrew Frankel for nearly nine years, handled it with grace.)

“Sometimes what you want is wrong” serves as a more direct alternative to the saying “It’s a blessing in disguise,” which I often share with my children when things don’t go as planned. Selleck’s version is straightforward and no-nonsense, cutting through the illusions we might have.

This phrase captures how our desires can sometimes be misleading. They might dazzle us and obscure reality with their allure, leading us to fixate on them and ignore potential drawbacks.

It’s a reminder that our desires can lead us astray, especially when they seem easy or flattering. We may become so enamored with them that we fail to see the potential pitfalls until it’s too late.

Selleck also shared that embracing failure is crucial for success. “If you don’t develop an appetite for failure…you’re never going to succeed. It’s the great trainer, actually. Too many people are afraid of it.” He believes that risk-taking is essential, noting, “The more I risked, the more jobs I got.”

Though I enjoyed hearing Selleck’s insights at the talk, I’m eager to delve deeper into his experiences through his memoir. I’m particularly interested in stories like his encounter with Princess Diana, where a royal aide encouraged him to dance with her to avoid fueling rumors of a romance with John Travolta.

Selleck’s reflections have left me wanting more. In this case, I’m hopeful that what I desire will be the right choice.