Tom Selleck is a household name, boasting a lengthy career in showbiz spanning decades. At 78, he shows no signs of slowing down, despite recent health concerns. His presence in the hit series Blue Bloods has solidified his place in the industry.
Selleck’s distinctive appearance, notably his trademark mustache, has long been a defining feature. However, fans were recently taken aback by a notable change: the absence of his iconic facial hair.
Keep reading to see the recent pictures, where the actor looks unrecognizable…
Tom Selleck – early life
Tom Selleck’s path to acting wasn’t initially clear-cut. Born on January 29, 1945, in Detroit, Michigan, he spent his formative years in California’s San Fernando Valley after his family relocated there.
Although he aspired to attend the University of Southern California (USC), financial constraints thwarted his plans. Graduating from Grant High School in 1962, he opted for Los Angeles Valley College, living at home to save money.
Athletics initially beckoned Selleck more than acting. He harbored dreams of a basketball career and secured a scholarship to USC, a prospect that thrilled him. His disinterest in acting was evident in his lack of participation in school plays, as he revealed to AARP in 2015.
However, Selleck soon realized basketball might not be his ultimate path. He supplemented his income with a side job while pursuing his studies. Venturing into television commercials and even appearing on The Dating Game marked his initial foray into the entertainment world.
Opportunity knocked when he earned a spot in 20th Century Fox’s talent program. Despite a hiatus for military service, he returned with determination, even after being dropped by the program. Selleck’s perseverance remained unshaken.
In the early 1970s, he secured minor roles in various television series. Approaching his mid-30s, he starred in six television pilots, yet the elusive breakthrough continued to elude him.
Tom Selleck in ‘Magnum, P.I.’
Many assumed Tom Selleck achieved overnight fame with his role as Thomas Magnum in Magnum, P.I. However, the reality was far from a swift ascent to success; Selleck faced numerous challenges and fought tooth and nail for his place in the industry.
“The luckiest thing that happened was that I didn’t get a real job until I was 35,” Selleck reflected. At 25, he looked older than his age but sounded much younger, a discrepancy that posed obstacles in his pursuit of mature roles.
Magnum, P.I. catapulted Selleck to stardom, running from 1980 to 1988 and earning him instant celebrity status. His portrayal garnered critical acclaim, culminating in an Emmy win for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 1984. Without this breakthrough role, Selleck might have considered abandoning acting altogether.
His iconic status persisted beyond Magnum, P.I., with notable roles in films like Three Men and a Baby and In & Out. A new generation of fans embraced him as Monica Geller’s older boyfriend, Richard Burke, in the hit comedy series Friends.
In 2010, Selleck embarked on a new chapter with his role as Frank Reagan in the drama series Blue Bloods, a venture that exceeded his expectations with its enduring success spanning 13 seasons. Reflecting on his career trajectory, Selleck admitted, “I never thought I’d be lucky enough to do a show that had that long a run.”
Tom Selleck says his back is “messed up”
“After experiencing the success of Three Men and a Baby, I was eager to prioritize family. Achieving the longevity of a series like Blue Bloods is incredibly rare and speaks volumes about the dedication of our entire cast. It’s a testament to our commitment to quality work,” Selleck explained.
While many actors opt for stunt doubles to mitigate risks, Selleck has often chosen to perform his stunts himself. However, this has taken a toll on his body over time.
“My back’s seen better days,” Selleck admitted. “Stunt work in movies, which I’ve done a lot of, carries its risks. Between takes, there’s a lot of sitting around without proper warm-ups or stretches like you’d have with a personal trainer.”
He reflected on the toll such physical demands take, observing how colleagues have similarly felt the effects of their stunt work. “The physical toll accumulates, even from seemingly simple stunts, due to the constant starts and stops,” he added.
Despite his aversion to the gym, Selleck stays active by tending to his family ranch in Ventura, California.
“I’ve got a 63-acre ranch, and I’m quite hands-on with the maintenance work,” he shared. “Clearing brush, planting trees—I’ve personally planted around a thousand trees, including about a hundred ancient oaks.”
Tom Selleck – iconic mustache
Tom Selleck’s interests extend beyond his acting career, delving into the world of horses and now, the realm of writing.
In a conversation with TV Insider last year, the renowned actor unveiled his venture into authorship, disclosing that he’s currently penning a book.
“I’m halfway through. It chronicles my 50 years in show business. The working title is Don’t Know Where I’m Going, But There’s No Use Being Late. I doubt I’ll change it. It encapsulates the essence of an actor’s journey. You wrap up one project, and suddenly, you’re back to square one. It’s quite the ride. I hope to infuse the book with humor because I don’t take myself too seriously. A good sense of humor is indispensable for longevity in this industry, both on and off-screen,” he shared.
Since achieving fame with Magnum P.I., Selleck’s iconic mustache has been inseparable from his image. Concerned that it might pigeonhole him, he once fretted about being forever associated with it.
“After Magnum, I thought, ‘Oh dear! Mustache inquiries for eternity,'” he quipped. “Most of the time, I was hired with the caveat that the mustache was negotiable. I was born without it, and I’m willing to work without it.”
In a lighthearted vein, Selleck mused that his mustache might have clinched his role in Blue Bloods.
“Well, it secured me a spot on Blue Bloods,” he chuckled. “The director floated the idea of playing the character sans mustache. I responded, ‘Of course, I was born that way.'”
Tom Selleck ditches signature mustache – almost unrecognizable
As previously noted, Tom Selleck’s mustache has long been a symbol of his identity. However, he recently shocked fans by shaving it off, rendering him nearly unrecognizable.
The 78-year-old actor had kept a low profile for over a year before making a rare appearance in public. He was captured driving his silver pickup truck near his home, marking his first public sighting in many months. Page Six, which obtained the photos, reported on the event.
Selleck’s altered appearance was striking, with his signature mustache notably absent. Instead, he sported a full beard as he went about his errands in the San Fernando Valley.
While Tom’s illustrious career is undoubtedly admirable, his enduring marriage to wife Jillie Mack is equally praiseworthy. Amidst a landscape where celebrity unions often falter, the couple has celebrated over 35 years of marital bliss.
In an interview with Closer Weekly, Selleck reminisced about their first encounter at a performance of the musical Cats, in which Mack was starring. This occurred in the 1980s, following the end of Selleck’s decade-long marriage to model Jacqueline Ray.
Despite his suave on-screen persona, Selleck admitted he’s not as smooth with the ladies in real life. Nevertheless, he made the first move by approaching his future wife backstage, though it was Mack who ultimately initiated their relationship.
Tom Selleck – family
“She had to go on [stage], and I was hemming and hawing,” Selleck reminisced. “Finally, she asked, ‘Do you want to meet for a cocktail?'”
Their initial date went swimmingly, leading to Selleck and Mack tying the knot in 1987 in a private ceremony. A year later, they welcomed their daughter, Hannah, into the world.
Since then, Selleck has prioritized his family over fame, intentionally keeping his personal life away from the Hollywood limelight. He even scaled back his acting career to ensure ample time with his wife and cherished daughter.
“I left Magnum to start a family,” Selleck revealed to People in 2012. “It was a gradual transition, but I’ve always strived for balance, and this ranch has facilitated that.”
“We both believed it was the ideal environment for Hannah to grow up in,” Jillie Mack affirmed.
Sharing a profound love for nature and the outdoors, Tom eagerly shared his passion with his daughter, who quickly embraced it. Together, they nurtured their mutual affection for horses, eventually venturing into a side business breeding them.
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