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Overview (3) |
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Overview (3)
| Born | in Detroit, Michigan, USA |
| Birth Name | Thomas William Selleck |
| Height | 6' 3½" (1.92 m) |
Mini Bio (1)
Thomas William Selleck is an American actor and film producer, known for his starring role as Hawaii-based private investigator "Thomas Magnum" on the 1980s television series, Magnum, P.I. (1980).
Selleck was born in Detroit, Michigan, to Martha S. (Jagger), a homemaker, and Robert Dean Selleck, a real estate investor and executive. He is of mostly English descent, including recent immigrant ancestors.
Selleck has appeared extensively on television in roles such as "Dr. Richard Burke" on Friends (1994) and "A.J. Cooper" on Las Vegas (2003). In addition to his series work, Selleck has appeared in more than fifty made-for-TV and general release movies, including Mr. Baseball (1992), Quigley Down Under (1990), Lassiter (1984) and, his most successful movie release, 3 Men and a Baby (1987), which was the highest grossing movie in 1987.
Selleck also plays "Jesse Stone" in a series of made-for-TV movies, based on the Robert B. Parker novels. In 2010, he appears as "Commissioner Frank Reagan" in the drama series, Blue Bloods (2010) on CBS.
- IMDb Mini Biography By: Anonymous
Spouse (2)
| Jillie Mack | (7 August 1987 - present) (1 child) |
| Jacqueline Ray | (15 May 1971 - 10 August 1982) (divorced) |
Trade Mark (5)
Moustache
Detroit Tigers Baseball Cap
Hawaiian shirts
Hairy chest
Towering height
Trivia (64)
Turned down the role of Richard on the TV show Titans (2000).
Received an honorary doctorate from Pepperdine University. He was chosen because of his outstanding character and ethic. He is a board member of the non-profit Michael Josephson Institute of Ethics and co-founder of the Character Counts Coalition. Attended the University of Southern California and in his senior year earned a basketball scholarship after walking onto the team as a junior. [April 2000]
Was a member of the California National Guard and was activated for the Watts riots.
Was turned down for the lead role in the TV show Vega$ (1978), which went to Robert Urich. Selleck and Urich once co-starred in a TV pilot (that was never picked up) called Bunco (1977).
Used to be part owner of The Black Orchid restaurant with Larry Manetti and one other investor in Honolulu, HI.
Studied acting at The Beverly Hills Playhouse with Milton Katselas.
He and his family maintain their primary residence in Thousand Oaks, California, but also have secondary properties in Freedom, California; Jonesboro, Maine; and in the Shetland Islands, located off Scotland. [2010]
Chosen by People Magazine as one of the 50 most beautiful people in the world. [1998]
Selleck was originally cast as "Indiana Jones", but was not able to take the role because he was committed to Magnum, P.I. (1980). "Magnum" did an episode, Magnum, P.I.: Legend of the Lost Art (1988), that parodied "Raiders", complete with hat, whip and booby traps.
Is a member of the National Rifle Association and memorably sparred with Rosie O'Donnell on The Rosie O'Donnell Show (1996) about gun control and an advertisement in which he appeared supporting the NRA.
Member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity.
First TV appearance was as a college senior on The Dating Game (1965) in 1967 and then a second time (date unknown at this time). Incredibly, he lost both times. Soon after, he appeared in TV commercials for products such as Pepsi-Cola.
Starred in six failed TV pilots before landing his breakthrough role in Magnum, P.I. (1980).
Parents: Robert & Martha Selleck. His father was manager of the San Fernando Valley office of a prestigious commercial real estate company.
Shaved off his trademark moustache for the 1997 film In & Out (1997). Once rarely seen without it, he has since kept it off for most of his stage and screen work.
While preparing for Mr. Baseball (1992), he joined the Detroit Tigers in 1992 for spring training. He actually took an at-bat (as a pinch hitter) in a game against the Cincinnati Reds, facing Reds' pitcher Tim Layana. Selleck ended up striking out after fouling away half a dozen pitches.
During the brief run of the late night The Chevy Chase Show (1993) on Fox, he guest-starred and, as a gag, asked to be presented his 1993 Worst Supporting Actor "Razzie" award for his performance as "King Ferdinand of Spain" in Christopher Columbus: The Discovery (1992). When the Razzie was actually presented to him on the air, Selleck took it in stride and asked the entire studio audience to "blow me a raspberry". Selleck thus became the third person in Razzie history to voluntarily accept one of the Worst Achievements in Film statuettes.
In 2001, he appeared in the Broadway show "A Thousand Clowns" without a mustache, a rarity for Selleck. Unfortunately, the show was forced to close early due to 9/11.
The decision of choosing the leading role of Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) or Magnum, P.I. (1980) actually haunted Selleck so much that he consulted his best friend. Together they came to the conclusion that honoring his contract with Magnum, P.I. (1980) was the honorable thing to do. It turned out that the shooting of the pilot for Magnum, P.I. (1980) was delayed for over 6 months, which would have enabled Selleck to complete the role of Indiana Jones. Ironically, while waiting in Hawaii for Magnum, P.I. (1980) to commence filming, Steven Spielberg and George Lucas were also in Hawaii to shoot scenes for Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981).
Was asked to star opposite Julie Andrews in Victor Victoria (1982) but hesitated, and by the time he decided he wanted the part, he was already locked into his Magnum, P.I. (1980) contract - the very same contract that cost him the role of Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981).
For the 8th and final season of Magnum, P.I. (1980), Universal Studios gave him a bonus of $350,000, which he spent on lavish gifts, such as Rolex watches, Porsches, $1000 bonuses, for the entire cast and crew of Magnum, P.I. (1980).
Vocally supported President Ronald Reagan throughout the 1980s. In Blue Bloods (2010), his character, "Commissioner Frank Reagan", has political ties.
Was considered as the next President of the National Rifle Association (NRA) following the retirement of his close friend Charlton Heston in 2003.
His only biological child is Hannah, his daughter with Jillie Mack. Kevin Selleck is the son of his first wife, Jacqueline Ray, from her first marriage. Tom Selleck adopted Kevin during the marriage and has continued to treat him as a beloved son after he and Jacqueline Ray divorced.
Member of the conservative Wednesday Morning Club in Hollywood.
Magnum, P.I. (1980) named the the number one detective series of all time by "The Sleuth" TV Network.
In the early Nineties Selleck shot a commercial for the conservative National Review. But in 1992 he made a $1,000 donation to the presidential bid of Democratic Senator Paul Tsongas. Five years later, New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd reported that Republicans were urging Selleck to run for the Senate in California - a story Selleck quickly shot down. His political profile has been low ever since. However, in 1999 he filmed an advertisement for the National Rifle Association. "He's not a Republican," says an actor who knows him. "He's an independent.".
Played competitive volleyball with the Outrigger Canoe Club and was a three-time All American selection, twice winning the over-35 division in the National Championships.
Another rare appearance without his trademark mustache was on Charlie's Angels: Target: Angels (1976), original air date 27 October 1976.
Turned down an offer to have a cameo in the Magnum P.I. movie.
Publicly endorsed Senator John McCain in the 2008 presidential election.
Honored by the Congressional Award in Washington, DC with the 1997 Horizon Award. The Horizon Award is a special recognition from the Joint Leadership of the United States Congress and the Congressional Award Board of Directors. The Horizon Award is presented to individuals from the private sectors who have contributed to expanding opportunities for all Americans through their own personal contributions, and who have set exceptional examples for young people through their successes in life.
Best known for his role on TV as the title character on Magnum, P.I. (1980).
His daughter Hannah is an international show jumper.
While a member of the California National Guard, Selleck attended the California Military Academy and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. Later, he appeared on recruitment posters for the California National Guard and the California Military Academy.
When he "won" a Worst Supporting Actor Razzie® Award for his role in Christopher Columbus: The Discovery (1992), Selleck became one of the first stars, ever, to accept the $4.97 dis-honor.
Has played a Private Investigator in two TV series; Lance White in The Rockford Files (1974) and Thomas Magnum in Magnum, P.I. (1980).
Although he plays Len Cariou's son in Blue Bloods (2010), he is only 5 years his junior in real life.
Father-in-law of Annabelle Selleck.
Has a German shepherd named "Ooma".
He was not the producers' first choice for the lead role in Magnum, P.I. (1980). Kevin Dobson was offered the role, but turned it down.
Is the only actor to appear in every episode of Magnum, P.I. (1980).
Met Larry Manetti on the same episode of the last season of The Rockford Files (1974), a year before Manetti would co-star with him on Magnum, P.I. (1980).
He has played the same character (Thomas Magnum) in three different series: Magnum, P.I. (1980), Simon & Simon (1981) and Murder, She Wrote (1984).
Tom's father had English, Scottish, Irish, and a smaller amount of German, ancestry. Tom's paternal grandmother was from Ontario, Canada, while all four of Tom's maternal great-grandparents were English immigrants.
Inducted into the International Mustache Hall of Fame in 2015 (inaugural class) in the category Film & Television.
His acting mentor was the late James Garner.
Was considered for the role of Professor John Robinson in Lost in Space (1998).
Missed out on the title role in The Terminator (1984) because of his commitment to Magnum, P.I. (1980).
In February 2009, Selleck joined the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund as national spokesman for the new Education Center being built on the National Mall.
He was considered to star in Ruckus (1980), but was considered too big for the role. It went to Dirk Benedict.
Was considered for the role of Harry Brock in Born Yesterday (1993).
Selleck is an avid ice hockey fan and has been seen attending Los Angeles Kings games at the Staples Center. He lists Anze Kopitar and Alexander Frolov as two of his favourite players.
Was considered to appear as a parody of himself in The Cannonball Run (1981). The part ultimately went to Roger Moore.
He was once a minority owner of his favourite baseball team since childhood, the Detroit Tigers.
He was in the running to play Captain Apollo in Battlestar Galactica (1978) that went to Richard Hatch.
He was an accomplished indoor and beach volleyball player playing the outside hitter position for the Outrigger Canoe Club, Honolulu. (Son Kevin attended Selleck's alma mater, USC, and became a volleyball team All-American in 1990.) Outrigger Canoe Club team mate Dennis Berg, in the summer 2011 issue of Volleyball USA magazine, said of Selleck, "Tom was a great team mate, appreciative of being included with such a talented and experienced group, practising and playing hard when his Magnum schedule permitted.... He was very patient with all of us, and we relished the big crowds that replaced the usual sparse number of players' friends and spouses at the national tourney matches.".
Had praised his acting mentor James Garner for his humble beginnings as a television actor.
Credits James Garner as his favorite acting mentor/best friend.
Surrogate son of James Garner.
First celebrity guest to appear on The View (1997) (11 August 1997).
In addition to The Rockford Files (1974), that featured his mentor James Garner, growing up, he also watched the movies that featured Garner.
George Lucas, having worked on a number of films with Harrison Ford wanted a different actor for Indiana Jones and had picked Tom Selleck but he was already scheduled for Magnum P.I. and CBS wouldn't agree to delay filming so Tom lost out and although becoming a star with the series he never achieved big screen stardom.
Personal Quotes (19)
[televised interview broadcast the day before Laguna Heat (1987) was shown on N.Y. cable TV] I was planning to go into Architecture. But when I arrived [to sign up for courses], "Architecture" was filled up. "Acting" was right next to it. So I signed up for Acting instead.
[interview in American Western Magazine, 1/01] Why westerns get segregated into a genre in Hollywood, I don't know . . . It's just good entertainment.
[interview with Taylor Fogarty of American Western Magazine/ReadTheWest.com, 1/93] All I see is people out there who are hungry for more [movie westerns].
I just really want people to see this movie and I hope they like it, because to me Monte Walsh (2003) probably reflects my sensibilities more than any other I've done in the Western genre. I'm really proud of it and I think it may be the best role I've ever had.
I don't know if my political opinions ever lost me work, but I know for sure they never got me any.
It's not that conservatives don't care. We do. We just have different answers than liberals do. It's a difference of the mind, not of the heart.
[About Charlton Heston] If a guy as good and decent with as much grace as Chuck Heston can stand up for an issue that I think is very important ... then I certainly could stand up and I plan on remaining a life member for life.
Popularity is the pocket change of history. The true measure is courage. There will never be another Charlton Heston.
There was a time I could have been mistaken for Burt Reynolds. I had a mustache and so did he. But he was the number one star in the world, so there wasn't really much confusion.
[explaining why he refused a cameo in the film adaptation Magnum P.I. of his TV series Magnum, P.I. (1980)] I tell you what worries me -- because I love "Magnum" and we have loyal fans -- is they take these TV show titles, and they buy them and they spend $100 million on special effects, and then they make fun of them and trivialize it. Then they try and get the actor who used to be in it to do some ridiculous cameo to prove to the audience that it's OK. And I will not do that.
[About his parents]: I could go into analysis for 20 years and not blame them for anything.
Unless you treat failure as part of the journey, you're never going to get anywhere.
I was offered Christopher Columbus: The Discovery (1992), with Marlon Brando, who in my generation was the Man. I said I'd only do it if Brando was in it. But when I got on set, instead of seven scenes with Brando, there was only one and he didn't speak. I tried to quit, but I was warned I'd be sued. It was a horrible movie! Gene Siskel reviewed my hair. I realized that wanting to act with someone, even Brando, was a bad reason to take a role.
[on his on- and off-screen chemistry with James Garner, who played Jim Rockford]: Everybody said, 'What a great that series that would make.' But I always said, 'It's only a great series if you have someone as talented as Jim Garner to perform the function of the audience.' Because Lance was a little unbelievable. He was out there. I loved it and I love Jim Garner to this day. He doesn't want to hear this, because he's a modest man, but he was one of my mentors, he and (Western legend) Ben Johnson in the acting business.
[on how appearing on James Garner's show, led him to starring in his own]: I was a fan, and then I got to work with him on The Rockford Files (1974). He gave me the pivotal advice of my career... I said, 'I had an old contract at Universal, it's over, and they've assigned me this show called Magnum, and I hate it. This guy's got a Ferrari, and women on his arm, and I don't like it.' And [Garner] said, 'Well, I'm not gonna give you any advice, except this: You don't have any power. You've never done a show... if they want you, and they do, you'll never have any more power than you do right now. And that's all I'm gonna say.' Well, I called my agent, and we told Universal, 'I ain't doing that show.' And they said, 'Who in the hell do you think you are? You've never been on the air, and you'll never work again.' I said, 'Well, OK.' And then they brought in [producer] Don Bellisario, who put a whole new show [together], much more Rockford-esque, and it changed my life!
[Of James Garner]: I worked with Garner at a really critical time. I had done the leads in several pilots, but nobody saw them because they didn't sell, and I did this thing on Rockford, and I watched Garner, because I'd been on a lot of shows where everybody was walking on eggshells and there were battles about who was coming out of their dressing room first-and you're the guest actor, and you've got one scene that may be the most valuable piece of film you've ever had, and maybe the actor doesn't even stay for his off-camera lines; you're doing them to a script person. So I just had a long time. 'Cause from the time in '67 when I signed at Fox, I did seven unsold pilots, and while they were the leads, nobody knew who I was because you didn't see them. So I was unemployed for a long time, and I had a long time to say, "Boy, if I ever get a chance..." and "I'm not going to do that." Because I was 35 when I got Magnum, which was a real blessing, because I think when I was 25, I looked 35 and sounded 15. You've got to grow into yourself. It was very frustrating at the time. But I had plenty of time to observe, and then, by the time I'm 34, to work with Garner-who I think people, if they could, still take star lessons from. He understood that leads in a show like a television series involved leadership, probably: When you're not feeling so good, put on a happy face, it's infectious-these things sound kind of corny and stupid, but this is our life. I get half my time in L.A., but when we're here [filming in New York City], we all like each other, and we don't have anybody stir the pot on Blue Bloods. I like to think I've set some of that example. I'm older than most of the actors. I play the patriarch, and it's a rare opportunity to show a positive example. I'm not-I don't believe in playing characters that aren't flawed. He's got issues, but at the same time, most dads on TV are idiots. Homer Simpson is an idiot.
[About James Garner, among the many other detectives he loved]: I was a big fan of 'Rockford' just before 'Magnum.' I'm a big [James] Garner fan. I got to know Jim: I did two 'Rockfords' that heavily influenced me when they were trying to develop the Magnum character, so obviously 'Rockford.' David Janssen had a series a long time ago called 'Harry O' - I really liked that. I thought of, in a weird way, because of the long-term potential of 'Jesse,' 'Columbo.' I don't see Jesse and Columbo as very much alike and I'm not equating myself with Peter Falk's wonderful character. I just thought that it had that - that it could land in that ballpark for viewers. I think Garner's Rockford was, to me, my favorite. I liked 'Peter Gunn' years ago. And I'm aging myself, but Craig Stevens' Peter Gunn was pretty cool.
[Who talked about James Garner, being a teacher/best friend]: It's kind of like my mentor, who never wanted to hear he was my mentor, James Garner, I don't accept the mentor role. That they feel that way is, I think flattering although it adds a certain amount of pressure.
[Who said in 2010 about James Garner doing Jim Rockford, a second time]: They ought to cast Jim Garner. I'm a little prejudiced because he was really a formative influence on me, even a mentor in so many ways, even though he probably wouldn't admit to it if he was aware of it. Dermot Mulroney seems like a fine actor in the work I've seen him do, and this has nothing to do with him - but when you think of 'Rockford,' you don't remember 'that episode about the bank robbery,' you remember [Garner] making you laugh.
Salary (1)
| Blue Bloods (2010) | $150,000 per episode |
