Tom Selleck Reflects on Heartbreaking Challenges at His 63-Acre California Ranch

Tom Selleck recently shared insights about his life on his 63-acre avocado ranch in California’s Ventura County, particularly addressing the challenges posed by ongoing droughts. The 79-year-old actor, who purchased the property once owned by Dean Martin in 1988, revealed that recent droughts have devastated nearly all of their avocado trees and led to the loss of 25 century-old oak trees.

In a candid conversation with People, Selleck expressed his heartbreak over these losses. However, he noted a silver lining: “With the rain we’ve had, the sick ones are getting better, and they’re all sprouting a lot of healthy growth.” While filming the final season of Blue Bloods, where he has portrayed Commissioner Frank Reagan since 2010, Selleck manages to return home every two weeks. He shared some of his favorite ranch activities, like reading the morning paper and riding his ATV to check on the wildflowers he’s planted over the years. “They bloom in cycles, and I just watch them grow,” he remarked, embracing the simple joys of farm life.

Selleck also reflected on his family, highlighting his nearly four-decade marriage to Jillie Mack, 66, and their daughter Hannah, 35, as well as his son Kevin, 57, from his first marriage to Jacqueline Ray. He treasures “the friendship” and “Jillie’s sense of humor” in their relationship. He often reviews Blue Bloods scripts with her, stating, “I’m one of the last guys to see it, and I’m a good editor.” He enjoys unwinding at the end of the day with “a cigar and a glass of whiskey.”

In a 2007 interview with Good Housekeeping, Selleck expressed his fulfillment from farm life, saying, “I like to get outside and work on the farm, from fixing roads to clearing brush.” He emphasizes his gratitude for the life he’s led, stating, “I’ve had a very good life, a very lucky life.”