“Tom Selleck’s Memoir Reveals How He Accidentally Became a Star”

Tall, striking, and sporting an iconic mustache, Tom Selleck is widely recognized as Thomas Magnum, the charismatic private detective from the beloved TV series that cemented his fame.

In the 1980s, Selleck was celebrated as one of the world’s most attractive men, embodying the laid-back, tan detective who cruised around in a red Ferrari while solving crimes in vibrant Hawaiian shirts.

However, his memoir, “You Never Know,” released in early May, reveals that acting was never part of Selleck’s plan. “I had no interest in acting whatsoever,” Selleck admits in the book. “I was extremely shy, and I still am,” he shared in an interview with dpa.

Originally passionate about sports, Selleck aspired to be a professional basketball player. His entry into show business was more of a fortunate accident than a deliberate choice. “In my own unplanned way, I achieved something. I was given an opportunity that many would envy. I came to appreciate the role of serendipity.”

Selleck’s journey began when he was a struggling business administration student who earned some extra cash by appearing in a Pepsi ad in Los Angeles during the late 1960s. He then participated in the TV show “The Dating Game” and joined a development program for promising young actors.

His early career included an aperitif commercial with a young Farrah Fawcett and a small role in the film “Myra Breckinridge” alongside the legendary Mae West. It wasn’t until he was 35 that he found his big break with “Magnum P.I.,” a role that came after a series of challenging auditions and minor roles.

Despite the expectation of Hollywood gossip and scandals, the memoir offers little about his private life. It starts with a 1962 car accident on Mullholland Drive in Hollywood Hills during his teenage years. The accident, involving a friend driving his mother’s car and a girlfriend in the backseat, left him with a painful memory but also valuable lessons.

Selleck also recounts missing out on the iconic role of Indiana Jones. Although he was invited to audition for the role by George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, he was bound by a contract with CBS for “Magnum” and couldn’t accept the offer. Despite this, the opportunity boosted his confidence, which he believes enhanced his acting skills. He admires Harrison Ford’s portrayal of the archaeologist, acknowledging his successful take on the role.

The initial script for “Magnum” didn’t appeal to Selleck, who initially turned down the role, potentially risking his career. He wanted a more nuanced character with flaws rather than a slick detective. The script was later rewritten, and Selleck became an international star as a charming, humorous Vietnam War veteran solving crimes in Hawaii. The show aired 162 episodes from 1980 to 1988.

Living away from the Hollywood limelight in Hawaii allowed Selleck to maintain a semblance of privacy, which he values greatly. He recalls realizing the magnitude of “Magnum” success only when he returned to Los Angeles for events like the Golden Globes. The series earned him a Golden Globe and an Emmy, and he even attended a White House gala in 1985 alongside celebrities like John Travolta and Clint Eastwood.

The memoir touches briefly on his personal life, mentioning his first marriage in 1971 to a high school sweetheart, with whom he adopted a son, Kevin. He met his second wife, British actress Jillie Mack, while she was performing in “Cats” in London. They married secretly in Lake Tahoe in 1987, with their daughter Hannah born the following year. The couple now resides on a ranch north of Los Angeles, away from the celebrity scene.

Selleck’s memoir concludes with the end of “Magnum,” though his career continued with notable roles in the film “Three Men and a Baby,” the comedy “In & Out,” and as Dr. Richard Burke on “Friends.” He currently stars as police chief Frank Reagan in “Blue Bloods.”

Writing his memoir took Selleck four years, working with handwritten notes as he admits to struggling with computers. Instead of focusing on Hollywood glamour, he chose to emphasize the craft of acting. “Young actors often ask me how to achieve success,” Selleck says. “I tell them to take risks, embrace failure, and learn from it.”