Tom Selleck isn’t one for big celebrations, but this time he made an exception. He allowed his wife, Jillie Mack, to organize a small, intimate 80th birthday bash with just family, even though it wasn’t his first choice. "I stopped celebrating birthdays years ago," Tom reveals candidly. "I've learned not to keep track of the years." As he marked this significant milestone on Wednesday, January 29, Tom’s focus was already set on the future, eager to take on new challenges in his storied career.
Looking ahead, Tom is enthusiastic about new projects. "I'd love to dive into another comedy," he shares. "And a good western is always on my wish list. I miss that era. I want to sit on a horse again." Tom is also open to the idea of a Blue Bloods spinoff or a television movie. He's particularly excited about revisiting his role as detective Jesse Stone, a character he last portrayed in a TV movie a decade ago. "It would be a unique challenge now because Jesse's older," Tom explains. "A lot has changed since then."
A Journey to Fame and Family
Tom Selleck’s journey to fame began in California. At the age of 35, he became a household name playing the charismatic private detective Thomas Magnum on Magnum, P.I.. However, after eight successful seasons, Tom decided to step away from the limelight to start a family. In 1987, he married dancer Jillie Mack, and the following year, they purchased their Ventura, California farm, the same year they welcomed their daughter, Hannah Selleck. Their property, once owned by Dean Martin, is Tom's personal haven. "I've probably planted a thousand trees myself," he says with pride. Living far from the bustling world of Hollywood helps him maintain his sanity. "It took me years to step off that train, but I work hard to find balance, and this ranch has been instrumental in that," Tom reflects. He finds joy in watching the wildflowers he planted bloom with each changing season.
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Tom Selleck: A Man Who Values Family
During the late 1980s, Tom Selleck made a conscious decision to prioritize his family over his career. He turned down the lead role in Baywatch, choosing instead to stay home and enjoy his family life. He was also wary of becoming a sex symbol, fearing that the character Mitch Buchannon, eventually played by David Hasselhoff, would push him in that direction. "Do I think I'm sexy? No, that's someone else's judgment," Tom says. "I truly believe you can't try to be sexy and succeed at the same time."
For a period, Tom made two or three films annually. "I'm incredibly proud of Quigley Down Under, which has stood the test of time and remains very popular," he says of the 1990 Australian western. "I was a bit apprehensive about playing a part that John Wayne might have done better."
The late 1990s brought Tom more film roles, a short-lived TV series called The Closer, and a memorable stint as Dr. Richard Burke, Monica's older lover on Friends. "The show made people laugh and sometimes cry," he recalls. "That's the kind of comedy I enjoy."
By the time Tom entered his 60s, he became even more involved in his roles. The Jesse Stone TV movies, starting in 2005 with Jesse Stone: Stone Cold, are based on Robert B. Parker's novels, but Tom earned a screenwriting credit on some of the later films. "It seems like I might have to write [a script for another movie]," he says. "It wouldn't be the final version because everyone loves it."
Tom also played a significant role in developing his character on Blue Bloods, a show he also executive produced. "I
