Tom Selleck is one of the nation’s most beloved stars, whose mark on American culture has seasoned and aged as well as he has. With a career that has spanned decades and notable roles in films and television, Selleck has become a Hollywood icon with his charm and immense talent.
From his breakthrough role in “Magnum, P.I.” and guest role in “Friends” to his recent series “Blue Bloods,” audiences have loved Selleck’s charm for over four decades. But despite being an acclaimed actor, Selleck has made his mark as a kind and humble human.
Though he is a household name, Selleck values privacy in his life over everything else. Best known for his role as Thomas Magnum in “Magnum, P.I.,” the Hollywood legend became a dreamboat at the start of the 1980s. His eight-year run on the show established him in Hollywood and opened the door to many other acting opportunities. These included his role as Peter Mitchell, one of the bachelors in “Three Men and a Baby” and its sequel, “Three Men and a Little Lady,” as Monica Geller’s love interest, Dr. Richard Burke, on the hit television show “Friends” and Matthew Quigley in “Quigley Down Under.”
In a May 2022 interview, the actor opened up about the toll acting has taken on his body. There have been rumors that the 78-year-old may be handing in his gun and badge, and leaving “Blue Bloods” due to how taxing the Hollywood grind can be. However, Selleck, who is onboard for season 13, explained to reporters what his career still means to him.
Tom Selleck (1985), (Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)
To quiet the rumors, Selleck reassured reporters that he’s still very much involved in “Blue Bloods” and plans to continue acting. Speaking to his current character, Selleck said: “It’s a blessing! I love what I do, and I want to keep doing it.”
However, the actor also touched upon the limitations he has experienced and how his age has begun to affect his abilities in front of the camera. Once a bonafide action hero, Selleck openly admitted that he can’t jump from cigarette boat to cigarette boat, chasing bad guys anymore. He told reporters frankly, “Well, it lets me down from the point of view that I can’t do, or won’t do, what I used to.”
The seasoned actor continued, explaining in depth how his long career of playing the action hero has caused him a degree of discomfort in his later years. He also touched on how the realities of shooting television prevent actors from really preparing even a young, spry body from damaging itself over time.
He explained: “You know, my back’s kind of messed up. When you do stunts in movies — I do a lot of them — you’re taking a risk, but you’re also sitting around a lot. So you might do a fight scene, and then you sit in your chair, and it’s not like you have a personal trainer saying, ‘Okay, we’re ready to go, but Tom needs 10 minutes of stretching and warm-up.’”
Thankfully, Selleck’s current character on “Blue Bloods” doesn’t jump from flaming buildings or dodge speeding trains.
Tom Selleck (2017), (Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)
However, the role still requires some tough-guy attitude and acting from Selleck. The question has arisen whether or not the aging actor can keep up with the demands of “Blue Bloods” physically even if his heart is still in the show.
Rumors of the actor suffering from arthritis and opting for a stuntman to stand in for him have swirled for years. One insider even suggested, “Macho Tom is falling apart before our eyes.”
In speaking to reporters, Selleck noted how he’s not alone in suffering the consequences of playing the action hero. He pointed out how prevalent the problem is, as he explained: “I see it with peers, I talk to them sometimes. You just see the price of stunts. They weren’t that hard, but I think it’s the stop-and-go of all that stuff.”
After his decades of stunts, Selleck is at least giving himself a break off-screen if not on. He’s opted for a life away from the limelight and traded in the glamorous life of the city for a quiet one on his beautiful sprawling ranch in Ventura, California.
The ranch also provides Selleck with a space to stay active and fit on his own terms. He explained: “I have a 63-acre ranch, and I do not all, but a lot of, the grunt work. Clearing brush, planting trees. We’ve got about a hundred ancient oaks I planted. I’ve probably planted a thousand trees myself.” And with those words, Selleck quiets the gossip and confirms that he’s still more than ready for work.
Tom Selleck (2022), (Robert Kamau/GC Images/Getty Images)
What’s your favorite Tom Selleck role? Let us know — and be sure to pass this article on to friends and family, as well as any fellow “Blue Bloods” fans!
