The Life Behind The Mustache Man – Tom Selleck

Perhaps you think you knew him at first glance because of his iconic mustache. You may as well have recognized him from his characters, Thomas Magnum or Dr. Richard Burke. But who’s the real Tom Selleck outside the showbiz world? What are the things he’s been doing now?

The Dreamer

Tom’s parents, as he grew up, taught him the importance of a great work ethic, which he then passed on to his daughter. His father was a real estate investor while his mother was a stay at home mom. His biggest influence was his mother, whom he remembered as someone who had always been fair.

Basketball Scholar

Selleck was a basketball scholar at the University of Southern California who took up business administration. He was also a part-time model, apart from doing sports. His passion for the arts increased as he was encouraged by his drama teacher to pursue acting. Fortunately, Selleck followed the advice and studied acting in the Beverly Hills Playhouse under Milton Katselas.

Serving The Country

In addition to his acting prowess, he also served in the U.S. Army. He was assigned to the 160th Infantry Regiment of the California Army National Guard. He was indeed a proud veteran and had always been outspoken about it.

You’re On Your Own

His father’s death was perceived to be a defining moment of his life. And after considering the different leadership positions, being on his own made him feel like a grown man since there was no one to turn to for fatherly advice and support.

The Start Of A Great Career

Tom auditioned for the reality show, The Dating Game, with the encouragement of his fraternity brothers and drama coach. And though he didn’t know his real breakthrough would follow when Pepsi booked him for a commercial shortly after his appearance on the show. The rest was history!

Caught The Attention

Selleck managed to catch Twentieth Century Fox’s interest. The film industry was determined to get him, so it’s a blessing in disguise that Selleck knew of a golden opportunity when he saw one. He decided to sign with the company, and his acting lessons started that same day immediately.

Love Triangle

He then appeared on The Young and the Restless where he got to play Jed Andrews, a minor character. Indeed, life imitates art! The love triangle in which the character was involved would also happen to the actor in real life.

Lead Role

His biggest success came at 35 years of age.  This was none other than Thomas Magnum of Magnum. The production had to stall when they were shooting a scene in Hawaii due to a writer’s strike. Because of this, he began working as a handyman to make some money.

Magnum P.I.

Thanks to his infamous look, Detroit Tigers baseball cap, Hawaiian t-shirts and, of course, his signature mustache, Magnum P.I. became a huge success. After eight seasons and 163 episodes, the series came to an end.

Red Ferrari

Who would forget the red Ferrari which was driven by Thomas Magnum? Although not everyone would know that it was supposed to be a Porsche. But they had to make a couple of changes because of Selleck’s tall stature. Talk about a blessing in disguise!

Only Had Good Things To Remember

In 1996, his Magnum costar, Larry Manetti, published a memoir called Aloha Magnum. Usually, if something like this arises, it’s going to be full of controversy! But it didn’t apply to Tom Selleck. Manetti has just nice words to say about the actor, honestly. He complimented Selleck’s outstanding work ethic and how great a friend he was to the cast and crew members.

Hollywood Walk Of Fame

Is it strange that Tom Selleck has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame? Well, It’s not. After all, he deserved it! He was given the spot in 1986, and obviously, it wouldn’t have existed without Magnum P.I. And for the fans to see that, go to 6925 Hollywood Boulevard!

Second Option

For Thomas Magnum, there is no one perfect, but Tom Selleck himself! It might have been another blessing in disguise as Kevin Dobson supposedly takes on the role. The latter however declined. Which certainly worked to the benefit of Selleck!

No Other Projects

It must have been tough for a fast-rising star because he was prohibited from playing any part while filming Magnum P.I. He even turned down the lead character in Raiders of the Lost Ark because of the schedule clashes! But here’s the crazy thing: he’d have been able to do it if he knew the writer’s strike would happen. That just sucks, man.

It Was Too Late

Tom Selleck was offered to star in the movie Victor / Victoria alongside Julie Andrews in 1982. Even then, he was indecisive because he had already been wrapped up in his contract with Magnum by the time he agreed to play the part.

Creative Ideas

In the way the character was created, Selleck was very hands-on and vocal. The character was initially a charming debonair, and not like James Bond. Selleck told the writers to tone it down to an average Joe. We’re happy he was able to change course, and we’re sure the production team is pleased as well!

First Marriage

The first marriage of Tom Selleck is with a model name Jacqueline Ray. After 11 years of being married, however, the divorced began to emerge. Selleck, then adopted Ray’s son, Kevin, remained close with each other even after he broke up with the model.

A Celebrity In Its Own Right

Deemed to be one of Hollywood’s most famous mustaches, you would say his mustache is a celebrity on its own. Without it, we bet you wouldn’t be able to recognize him. There is another man, though, who people mistake him for.

Mistaken For Other Celebrities

He was often mistaken for other famous people, as he was one of the famous stars in Hollywood with an iconic moustache. And this is what the actor had to say: “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 much confusion.”

An Agent Of Its Own

While he was delighted to have Magnum PI on his show, Stephen Colbert seemed more enthusiastic about his mustache! The two even joked for having the moustache an agent of its own. Colbert hilariously jokes, “It [the mustache] precedes you into the room by about 30 seconds!”

Rooting For His Mustache

Stephen Colbert then went further than that to joke about Selleck’s mustache. He went on to ask, “I know you have never expressed any desire to run for public office, but what about your mustache because I would vote for that thing!” The crowd loved the joke, as did Tom Selleck.

Biggest Box Office Hit

Selleck starred alongside Ted Danson and Steve Guttenberg in the comedy Three Men and a Baby before Magnum’s run came to an end. While Magnum was the biggest breakthrough in his acting career, his performance was complemented by the flick. The film went on to become the biggest box office hit that same year!

The Ghost – Jimmy Fallon

Selleck was asked about the controversial story of a boy who died in the house where they filmed Three Men and a Baby during his guest appearance in the Jimmy Fallon show. Selleck got the audience laughing as he revealed that the film was shot on a set they had made for the film.  “Well, we shot it on a soundstage. They built the set and all.”

A Love Of His Life

In 1987, Tom Selleck and Jillie Mack exchanged vows while filming Magnum P.I. at around the same period. The couple has been together since then. The two of them had a daughter named Hannah and had been living in California.

Fairly Minor Roles

Were you familiar with the notion that his parents and wife appeared in Magnum P.I.? It’s true! Selleck made it happen. They were minor roles, but who doesn’t love on-set family affairs? From the show’s fourth season Jillie Mack was at Rembrandt’s Girl.

A Proud Republican

Selleck is not the one that is reserved with his political affiliations. He’s a proud Republican, and he even endorsed John McCain. Other than that, he is a member of the National Rifle Association. He is also on the Board of Directors!

He Kept Mum About His Vote

Though he may have been involved in politics before, he was silent in the 2016 election. That said, he’s not missing out on the event. The actor wrote a letter to Chief David Brown of the Dallas Police Department expressing appreciation for Brown’s leadership during the Dallas police shooting that year. 

That’s A Lot Of Money

The star has starred in more than 50 films and TV shows throughout his career as an actor. His net worth, contrary to expectations, was just $25 million, which is quite small compared to the other stars of his stature.

Baywatch?

Selleck could have been on Baywatch supposedly playing as Mitch Buchannon. But the actor turned it down, interestingly enough, because he didn’t want to be a sex symbol. This is the reason why the role was offered instead to David Hasselhoff.

Dr. Richard Burke

His appearance in the hit TV show, Friends, earned him a reputation as well. He portrayed Dr Richard Burke, the ophthalmologist Monica Geller had been dating for some time. He managed to receive an Emmy nomination for the Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series award!

Interview With Rachael Ray

Tom Selleck has mentioned an amusing story about an odd fan in an interview with celebrity chef, Rachael Ray. The lady seated behind the counter couldn’t figure out how she knew him while at the eye doctor (ironic for Friends fans). After proposing several TV shows, Selleck eventually hit the nail on the head, mentioning that she knew him as Dr Burke of Friends.

David Letterman

As David Letterman first had an interview with Selleck in 1993, the topic turned to the lack of success in Japan. During the four months he stayed in Japan, he expressed that he was lonely, but he also said that nobody knew him there.

Frank Reagan

He appeared lately as police commissioner Frank Reagan on Blue Bloods on the small screen. So here is an interesting bit of trivia: as he walks out of the set, it’s not unusual for him to be saluted by actual officers. Officers should salute every police commissioner, so it’s a testament to his amazing acting skills that he gets mistaken for a real one. Major kudos!

A Funny Man

His fellow actor, Donnie Wahlberg, was a close one to Selleck. His friend, Donnie, had a lot to say about him. “He can [be funny], yes, usually after he makes sure everyone understands what’s important. It would feel like Christmas on a Tuesday night in August when my dad started telling jokes, and it’s the same thing with Tom when he starts with his oddball jokes and his weird rhymes that he tells from 1930 that is so funny. Everybody feels so much lighter and happier.”

A Steamy Fling

We’re glad he had a good marriage, but he was a heartbreaker when he was a single man. According to Marie Helvin ‘s memoir, she and the star were engaged in a steamy whirlwind romance. Here’s a direct quote: “When I visited Hawaii once, Tom Selleck was shooting for Magnum PI. We met, and a bit of an affair started, then Selleck came to London, we had dinner and went back to his hotel. But the next morning, I sent him a letter to break off this relationship because I was worried about my married life. Later on after a week, he joined Musical Cats backstage and met his wife-to-be.”

Tom and Mimi

Tom and Mimi Rogers were a hot pair before she married the legendary Tom Cruise in 1990. After his scandalous relationship with Marie Helvin, you can only imagine how the media portrayed their relationship. It’s been an interesting year for both of them.

Grilled By Rosie

When Selleck was on Rosie O Donnell’s show promoting the 1999 movie The Love Letter, O’Donnell would question him about his gun ownership beliefs. He, however, would have none of it. He just told her, “It’s your show, and you can talk about it after I leave.”

Killers

Selleck starred in Killers, a 2010 film where he acted along with Ashton Kutcher and Katherine Heigl. Kutcher had always known what type of actor he wanted to portray the character of Mr Kornfeldt. According to him, “I call Mr Kornfeldt ‘Sir’ in the script a lot. And I thought, ‘Who am I going to call Sir? Who’s a bigger guy, who’s got an intimidating thing, but doesn’t have to try to be daunting?” The answer would be at the very least, Tom Selleck himself.

Family First

Selleck realized that they all needed time to relax now and then. He felt the same way when he was unable to make time for his wife and daughter when shooting Magnum. His love for his family is outstanding. Since not everyone is willing to do the same thing!

Difficult Times

Selleck spilt out his secret to his happy marriage. He made a point of saying, “I’ve found it very difficult to expose my private life and live with it. It’s important to nurture your marriage. I think wanting time away from work has been good for that.”

So Many Reasons

He spoke about wanting to leave Magnum P.I. in a recent interview with Closer Weekly. “Magnum, P.I. went to 163 shows and we still had ground to cover, and I wasn’t tired of it. I was tired of it because I was in every shot,” he explained. Blue Bloods, by comparison, was not as demanding and not every scene focused on his character.

He Knows His Priorities

And there was much more to it. “I quit Magnum to have a family. It took a long time to get off the train, but I try very hard to have balance,” he explained. This clearly shows another side of Selleck as a man understanding his priorities and setting out to pursue them.

Nurture Your Marriage

Even though Selleck had a divorce, there’s no denying his second marriage is for keeps. Having been married for more than 30 years reveals how she is his greatest love. How do they do it?  “It’s important to nurture your marriage,” Selleck stated. “I think wanting time away from work has been good for that,” he then continued.

We Are Married

By secretly getting married in 1987, both the general public and the media were stunned. Tom’s brother Bob was the one who arranged the wedding in a chapel in Lake Tahoe. They did not use their actual names on the registrar, though! The pair claimed to be “Tom Jenkins” and “Suzie Mark.” Until the ceremony itself, even the Minister was completely ignorant of their identities!

They Were Nervous

“They were both nervous, like any other couple about to get married. He was very concerned that the service is heartfelt, very concerned for her that the service is meaningful. He is a warm, caring man,” the wedding officiant narrated. Sure, Tom Selleck sounds like a fine man!

My Daughter, Hannah

Tom Selleck, as a father, adores his daughter, Hannah. Her parents wanted her to have a normal childhood, so they were trying to escape attention regarding their personal lives. She’s an Equestrian these days! Occasionally, Hannah does modeling for her sponsors and friends.

A Simple Girl

The couple did not raise Hannah to be a socialite. She lived on a family farm most of her life. There, she was able to learn about hard work. That was also where she began to love horses. “As a kid, they tried to raise me as normally as possible, given my dad’s line of work. Those horses have been a great way for me to have my accomplishments outside of whatever my parents had done,” said Hannah.

Right Decision

The best decision seems to have been to start a family on their 65-acre farm. “We both thought it was the best environment for [Hannah] to grow up,” according to Jillie.  And seeing how well Hannah turned out to be, we approve!

Supportive Parents

And there is no doubt how she becomes an equestrian at all. Especially because Hannah loves horses. Without this passion, her life would not be the same. “I have a small breeding program in California where I’m developing young horses to bring along and sell. It’s a business that so far has been great and a great experience,” she said. “It is a costly sport, so that is why my dad encouraged and invested in this breeding operation. They have been very supportive. The prices of horses have become astronomical. So that’s why it’s so much more rewarding to bring a horse along on your own.”