“Tom Selleck Expresses Interest in Joining a Taylor Sheridan Project (Exclusive)”
Tom Selleck has always had a distinctive look, with his iconic mustache being a hallmark of his fame. But recently, he’s added a charming goatee to the mix. Following the end of Blue Bloods after 14 seasons, the 79-year-old actor jokes that he’s now “unemployed,” though he has no plans of retiring anytime soon. He’s just uncertain about what his next project will be.
“I wouldn’t say [offers] are pouring in, but maybe some people are thinking of me,” he quips.
Born in Detroit and raised in Los Angeles, Selleck wouldn’t mind if one of those people happens to be Taylor Sheridan. With his extensive history in Westerns, including Quigley Down Under and Shadow Riders, the actor would love to take on a cowboy role again.
“A good Western’s always on my list,” he says with enthusiasm. “I miss that; I want to sit on a horse again.”
Selleck’s passion for country living is clear as he resides on a 65-acre ranch in California. Originally a working avocado farm, the drought has impacted the trees, but the ranch still produces a small avocado harvest each year. Selleck shares the ranch with his wife of 37 years, Jillie Mack, and their daughter, Hannah, who runs an equestrian breeding and training business.
Though acting wasn’t his original dream, Selleck’s career trajectory took an unexpected turn when he enrolled in a theater class to fulfill a requirement for transferring to USC. His steady work through the ’70s eventually led to his breakout role as Thomas Magnum on Magnum P.I. in 1980, a role that propelled him into stardom. Later, his portrayal of Frank Reagan on Blue Bloods only added to his lasting fame.
“I don’t know where my next job will take me,” Selleck says. “People ask, ‘What do you want to do next?’ I’m not sure. I don’t want to do Frank Reagan II.”
For this week’s Parade cover story, Selleck reflects on his illustrious career, especially his time on Blue Bloods, and the potential for future projects.
On the change after Blue Bloods:
After commuting to New York every two weeks for 15 years to film Blue Bloods, Selleck admits the transition to not working regularly is an adjustment. “The hardest part for me is we had the Blue Bloods family and we had the actors’ family. They’re all my pals. I miss them. It’s going to take a lot of getting used to.”
On the potential for a Blue Bloods spinoff:
While there has been talk of a Blue Bloods spinoff, Selleck is open to suggestions. “I love Frank Reagan, but nobody’s really asked. I don’t see him retiring and going off somewhere. If he goes off to a small town, I’d rather do more Jesse Stone movies.”
On the possibility of a new Jesse Stone movie:
Though there hasn’t been any official word yet on a new Jesse Stone, Selleck is open to revisiting the character. “It would be an interesting challenge because Jesse is older now. There’ve been quite a few years between shows. That doesn’t mean he isn’t a viable character. Everywhere I go, one of the things I get asked is, ‘When can I see another Jesse Stone?’”
On his time with Blue Bloods:
Selleck has many fond memories from his time on Blue Bloods, with one of the most special moments being the show’s permission to shoot at the 9/11 memorial, something he describes as a significant honor. “We were the first show that was allowed to shoot at the 9-11 memorial. That was a special privilege and an important thing for our show.”
On taking mementos from the Blue Bloods set:
Selleck holds onto a few sentimental items from the set, including Frank Reagan’s engraved Rolex watch, which he wore throughout the series. “I bought a Marine Corps ring and had it engraved inside accurately. Those things mean something.”
On working with Sam Elliott and Taylor Sheridan:
Selleck admires his longtime friend Sam Elliott, who recently worked with Taylor Sheridan on 1883. When asked about the possibility of teaming up with Elliott for a Sheridan project, Selleck enthusiastically agrees. “Sam’s always great. We go way, way back. I love him dearly. I’d love to work with Sam.”
On his role in Friends:
Selleck’s 10-episode arc as Dr. Richard Burke on Friends introduced him to a younger generation of fans, something he didn’t initially expect. “People talk to me about my role on Friends all the time. It was a lovely experience, something I didn’t see coming. I remember I was supposed to do three shows, and on the third show at the table read, somebody said, ‘Oh, that’s right, this is your last show. I wish you could come back.’ I said, ‘Well, nobody asked me.’ So that turned into 10 shows.”
On his future in comedy:
Selleck is open to doing another comedy, preferably one with the same heartfelt humor that Friends offered. “I would love to do another comedy. The right kind of comedy. Friends made people laugh and cry at times. That’s the kind of comedy I enjoy doing. Three Men and a Baby had that, too.”
On his memoir, You Never Know:
Selleck’s memoir, now available as an audiobook, brought up strong emotions as he narrated it himself. “It was emotional to write. I would read parts of the book to Jillie, the part I just wrote. It would catch me emotionally when I didn’t realize it.”
On his favorite roles:
While it’s tough to pick just one, Selleck mentions several roles that stand out, including Three Men and a Baby and Quigley Down Under, which has stood the test of time. “I don’t mind saying I was a little anxious to play a part that maybe John Wayne could have done better.”
On his dislike of avocados:
Despite owning an avocado ranch, Selleck admits he doesn’t like avocados. “I don’t. I know what they taste like now, because David Letterman made me eat one and I gagged. I’m not much of a vegetable guy.”
On family traditions and the holidays:
The holidays have evolved for Selleck. “Christmas is something for Jillie and Hannah and me, really. Maybe we go to one of my brothers’ or my sister’s house for a while, but mainly it’s family time just for us.”
On turning 80:
As his 80th birthday approaches on January 29, Selleck doesn’t have any big celebrations planned. “I stopped celebrating birthdays a while back. I intend to keep working. I’ll probably have dinner with maybe my brother and my sister and Jillie, just go out to dinner, kind of be quiet and not make a big deal of it.”
Selleck’s fans are eagerly awaiting his next project, and while he’s not sure what’s coming next, one thing is certain: whatever it is, it’ll be worth the wait.
