“Tom Selleck’s Wealth from Starring in ‘Blue Bloods'”
Tom Selleck’s Time on ‘Blue Bloods’ Is Ending: The Actor’s Financial Woes and Controversy
Tom Selleck, aged 79, is preparing to bid farewell to his role as top cop Frank Reagan on CBS’s ‘Blue Bloods,’ a role that has brought him substantial financial rewards. Despite his reluctance to retire and his plea for CBS to reconsider its decision to end the show, insiders argue that Selleck should stop lamenting his fate, given his impressive earnings over the show’s 14-year run.
Significant Earnings from ‘Blue Bloods’
While Tom Selleck’s exact salary for ‘Blue Bloods’ is not publicly disclosed, it’s well-known that it was substantial. Variety estimated in 2016 that Selleck earned $200,000 per episode. With 22 episodes per season, this amounts to $4.4 million annually. Over the span of 14 seasons, this could translate to earnings in the tens of millions.
Financial Concerns Despite Wealth
Despite his considerable earnings, Selleck has expressed concern about his financial stability with the end of ‘Blue Bloods.’ He owns a 63-acre ranch in Ventura County, California, and has mentioned his hope to keep the property without having to sell it if acting opportunities dwindle.
In an interview with CBS Sunday Morning, Selleck shared his worries: “You know, hopefully I keep working enough to hold onto the place.” When questioned about the potential financial strain, he acknowledged, “That’s always an issue. If I stopped working, yeah. Am I set for life? Yeah, but maybe not on a 63-acre ranch!”
Network Executives React
Selleck’s comments have reportedly not sat well with CBS executives. According to sources, the network believes Selleck’s concerns about his financial situation are exaggerated, especially given his substantial earnings. “Despite Selleck’s pleas of poverty, CBS higher-ups aren’t buying it,” a source told Closer Weekly. “He accumulated a staggering $56 million over the show’s run, not including residuals from reruns.”
The network’s frustration is heightened by the fact that many people working on ‘Blue Bloods,’ who earn less than $100,000 a year, face job insecurity and financial challenges as the show concludes. “Tom is an entitled brat,” an insider remarked. “Hundreds of people are facing unemployment, and Tom is complaining about his ranch. Give me a break!”
Pay Cuts for Season 14
The situation was made more complex by the fact that Selleck and the rest of the cast agreed to significant pay cuts to keep ‘Blue Bloods’ on the air for its 14th season. CBS almost canceled the show after season 13, but it continued after stars and producers accepted a 25% reduction in salaries to preserve jobs for the show’s many crew members.
Selleck’s generosity was also evident when he negotiated his contract for the final season of ‘Magnum P.I.’ He requested CBS to provide $1,000 bonuses to crew members if the show was completed on time and under budget. When CBS declined, Selleck covered the bonuses himself, as detailed in his memoir, You Never Know.
