Tom Selleck was born on January 29, 1945, in Detroit, Michigan. That means he is 78 years old as of 2023. 

However, many people would agree that he looks much younger than his age, thanks to his good genes, healthy lifestyle, and iconic mustache. 

In fact, some fans have dubbed him as “the sexiest man alive” and “the eternal bachelor”. 

So what is the secret behind his youthful appearance and successful career? Let’s take a look at his early life and career, his acting achievements, and his personal life.

Tom Selleck’s Early Life and Career

Childhood and Education

Tom Selleck was the second of four children born to Martha Selleck, a housewife, and Robert Dean Selleck, a real estate investor and executive. He has an elder brother Robert, a younger sister Martha, and a younger brother Daniel. He is of mostly English descent, with some German ancestry. He is also a direct descendant of David Selleck, an English colonist who moved to Massachusetts from Somerset, England, in 1633.

Selleck’s family moved to Sherman Oaks, California, in 1948. He graduated from Grant High School in 1962 and enrolled at Los Angeles Valley College. He transferred to the University of Southern California during his junior year to play for the USC Trojans men’s basketball team. He stands 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m) tall. He majored in business administration but dropped out in his senior year to pursue acting.

California National Guard

Selleck joined the California Army National Guard in 1967 and served until 1973. He attained the rank of sergeant and was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 160th Infantry Regiment. He received several awards for his service, including the California National Guard Federal Service Ribbon, the California State Service Ribbon, and the California Drill Attendance Ribbon. He later said that his military experience taught him discipline and respect for authority.

Tom Selleck’s Acting Career

Breakthrough as Magnum, P.I.

Selleck began his acting career in 1965 with small roles in commercials, TV shows, and films. He appeared in The Dating Game as a contestant twice in 1965 and 1967. He also had recurring roles as Dr. Richard Burke on Friends, Lance White on The Rockford Files, and A.J. Cooper on Las Vegas.

However, his breakthrough role came in 1980 when he was cast as Thomas Magnum, a private investigator living in Hawaii, in the TV series Magnum, P.I. The show was a huge hit and ran for eight seasons until 1988. Selleck received five Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, winning in 1985. He also won two Golden Globe Awards for Best Actor in a Television Series Drama in 1985 and 1986.

Filmography

Selleck has appeared in more than 50 films and television movies since Magnum, P.I., including Three Men and a Baby (1987), Quigley Down Under (1990), Mr. Baseball (1992), In & Out (1997), The Love Letter (1999), Monte Walsh (2003), Jesse Stone: Stone Cold (2005), Killers (2010), and Meet the Robinsons (2007). He has also voiced characters in animated films such as High Road to China (1983) and Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore (2010).

TV and Advertising

Selleck has continued to work on television as well as films. Since 2010, he has co-starred as New York City Police Commissioner Frank Reagan in the drama series Blue Bloods on CBS. He has also portrayed Jesse Stone, a troubled small-town police chief, in nine television movies based on the novels by Robert B. Parker.

Selleck is also known for his endorsements of various products and causes. He has been a spokesman for the National Rifle Association (NRA), an endorser of advertisements for National Review magazine, and a co-founder of the Character Counts! organization. He has also appeared in commercials for AT&T, Florida’s Natural Orange Juice, Right Guard deodorant, American Advisors Group reverse mortgages, and many others.

Tom Selleck’s Personal Life

Family and Companions

Selleck has been married twice. His first wife was Jacqueline Ray, a model and actress whom he married in 1971. He adopted her son, Kevin Selleck, who is also an actor and musician. They divorced in 1982. His second wife is Jillie Mack, a British actress whom he married in 1987. They have a daughter, Hannah Selleck, who is an international show jumper. They live on a 61-acre ranch in Hidden Valley, California, where they grow avocados and raise horses.

Selleck is also an animal lover and has owned several dogs and cats over the years. He has a black Labrador retriever named Joe, who appeared with him in the Jesse Stone movies. He also had an orange tabby cat named Louis, who died in 2014.

Political Views

Selleck is a registered independent and has supported both Republican and Democratic candidates in the past. He supported Ronald Reagan in the 1980s, but also endorsed John F. Kennedy Jr. for the U.S. Senate in 2000. He has described himself as “a registered independent with a lot of libertarian leanings”. He has also expressed his support for gay rights and same-sex marriage.

2015 Water Lawsuit

In 2015, Selleck was sued by the Calleguas Municipal Water District for allegedly stealing water from a public hydrant to use on his ranch during a severe drought in California. The water district claimed that it hired a private investigator who observed a water truck filling up at the hydrant and delivering the water to Selleck’s property at least 12 times over two years. The water district sought an injunction to stop Selleck from using its water, as well as reimbursement for the investigation costs and damages.

Selleck settled the lawsuit in July 2015 by agreeing to pay $21,685.55 to the water district and ceasing to use its water without permission. He also issued a statement saying that he had acted in good faith and that he had cooperated with the water district to resolve the matter.

Conclusion

Tom Selleck is one of the most popular and respected actors in Hollywood. He has had a long and successful career in both film and television, winning several awards and accolades. He has also been involved in various charitable and political causes, as well as being a devoted family man and animal lover. He is 78 years old, but he looks much younger than his age, thanks to his good genes, healthy lifestyle, and iconic mustache. He is widely admired by fans and peers alike for his talent, charm, and integrity.

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