Biography for
Tom Selleck More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

29 January 1945, Detroit, Michigan, USA

Birth Name

Thomas William Selleck

Height

6' 3½" (1.92 m)

Spouse

Jillie Mack	(7 August 1987 - present) 1 child
Jacqueline Ray	(15 May 1971 - 10 August 1982) (divorced) 1 child

Trade Mark

Moustache

Detroit Tigers Baseball Cap

Trivia

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. [28 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) (TV).

Used to be part owner of The Black Orchid restaurant with Larry Manetti and one other investor in Honolulu, HI.

One son - Kevin Selleck; one daughter - Hannah Selleck.

Studied acting at The Beverly Hills Playhouse with Milton Katselas.

Maintains a summer home in Jonesboro, Maine.

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 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 6 failed TV pilots before hitting ratings gold.

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.

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.

Appeared in the Broadway show "A Thousand Clowns" without a mustache, a rarity for Selleck.

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.

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 (#1.5)" (1976), original air date 27 October 1976.

Turned down an offer to have a cameo in the Magnum P.I. (2011) 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.

Personal Quotes

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. (televised interview broadcast the day before Laguna Heat (1987) (TV) was shown on N.Y. cable TV.)

"Why westerns get segregated into a genre in Hollywood, I don't know... It's just good entertainment." (in interview with American Western Magazine, January 2001 issue)

All I see is people out there who are hungry for more [movie westerns]. (interview with Taylor Fogarty of American Western Magazine/ReadTheWest.com, January 2003)

I just really want people to see this movie and I hope they like it, because to me Monte Walsh (2003) (TV) 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. (2011) 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.

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