Thomas William Selleck is an American actor and film producer, known for his starring role as Hawaii-based private investigator "Thomas Magnum" on the 1980s television series, _"Magnum, P.I." on CBS.
Turned down the role of Richard on the TV show "Titans" .
(28 April 2000) Received an honorary doctorate from Pepperdine University. He was chosen because of his outstanding character and ethic. He is a board member of the non-profit Michael Josephson Institute of Ethics and co-founder of the Character Counts Coalition. Attended the University of Southern California and in his senior year earned a basketball scholarship after walking onto the team as a junior.
Was a member of the California National Guard and was activated for the Watts riots.
Was turned down for the lead role in the TV show "Vega$" , which went to Robert Urich. Selleck and Urich once co-starred in a TV pilot (that was never picked up) called Bunco .
Used to be part owner of The Black Orchid restaurant with Larry Manetti and one other investor in Honolulu, HI.
Studied acting at The Beverly Hills Playhouse with Milton Katselas.
He and his family maintain their primary residence in Thousand Oaks, California, but also have secondary properties in Freedom, California; Jonesboro, Maine; and in the Shetland Islands, located off Scotland.
Chosen by People Magazine as one of the 50 most beautiful people in the world.
Selleck was originally cast as "Indiana Jones", but was not able to take the role because he was committed to "Magnum, P.I." . "Magnum" did an episode, "Magnum, P.I." {Legend of the Lost Art (#8.10)} , that parodied "Raiders", complete with hat, whip and booby traps.
Is a member of the National Rifle Association and memorably sparred with Rosie ODonnell on "The Rosie ODonnell Show" about gun control and an advertisement in which he appeared supporting the NRA.
Member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity.
First TV appearance was as a college senior on "The Dating Game" in 1967 and then a second time (date unknown at this time). Incredibly, he lost both times. Soon after, he appeared in TV commercials for products such as Pepsi-Cola.
Starred in six failed TV pilots before landing his breakthrough role in "Magnum, P.I." .
Parents: Robert & Martha Selleck. His father was manager of the San Fernando Valley office of a prestigious commercial real estate company.
Shaved off his trademark moustache for the 1997 film In & Out . Once rarely seen without it, he has since kept it off for most of his stage and screen work.
While preparing for Mr. Baseball , he joined the Detroit Tigers in 1992 for spring training. He actually took an at-bat (as a pinch hitter) in a game against the Cincinnati Reds, facing Reds pitcher Tim Layana. Selleck ended up striking out after fouling away half a dozen pitches.
During the brief run of the late night "The Chevy Chase Show" on Fox, he guest-starred and, as a gag, asked to be presented his 1993 Worst Supporting Actor "Razzie" award for his performance as "King Ferdinand of Spain" in Christopher Columbus: The Discovery . When the Razzie was actually presented to him on the air, Selleck took it in stride and asked the entire studio audience to "blow me a raspberry". Selleck thus became the third person in Razzie history to voluntarily accept one of the Worst Achievements in Film statuettes.
In 2001, he appeared in the Broadway show "A Thousand Clowns" without a mustache, a rarity for Selleck. Unfortunately, the show was forced to close early due to 9/11.
The decision of choosing the leading role of Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark or "Magnum, P.I." actually haunted Selleck so much that he consulted his best friend. Together they came to the conclusion that honoring his contract with "Magnum, P.I." was the honorable thing to do. It turned out that the shooting of the pilot for "Magnum, P.I." was delayed for over 6 months, which would have enabled Selleck to complete the role of Indiana Jones. Ironically, while waiting in Hawaii for "Magnum, P.I." to commence filming, Steven Spielberg and George Lucas were also in Hawaii to shoot scenes for Raiders of the Lost Ark .
Was asked to star opposite Julie Andrews in Victor Victoria but hesitated, and by the time he decided he wanted the part, he was already locked into his "Magnum, P.I." contract - the very same contract that cost him the role of Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark .
For the 8th and final season of "Magnum, P.I." , Universal Studios gave him a bonus of $350,000, which he spent on lavish gifts, such as Rolex watches, Porsches, $1000 bonuses, for the entire cast and crew of "Magnum, P.I." .
Vocally supported President Ronald Reagan throughout the 1980s. In "Blue Bloods" , his character, "Commissioner Frank Reagan", has political ties.
Was considered as the next President of the National Rifle Association (NRA) following the retirement of his close friend Charlton Heston in 2003.
His only biological child is Hannah, his daughter with Jillie Mack. Kevin Selleck is the son of his first wife, Jacqueline Ray , from her first marriage. Tom Selleck adopted Kevin during the marriage and has continued to treat him as a beloved son after he and Jacqueline Ray divorced.
Member of the conservative Wednesday Morning Club in Hollywood.
"Magnum, P.I." named the the number one detective series of all time by "The Sleuth" TV Network.
In the early Nineties Selleck shot a commercial for the conservative National Review. But in 1992 he made a $1,000 donation to the presidential bid of Democratic Senator Paul Tsongas. Five years later, New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd reported that Republicans were urging Selleck to run for the Senate in California - a story Selleck quickly shot down. His political profile has been low ever since. However, in 1999 he filmed an advertisement for the National Rifle Association. "Hes not a Republican," says an actor who knows him. "Hes an independent.".
Played competitive volleyball with the Outrigger Canoe Club and was a three-time All American selection, twice winning the over-35 division in the National Championships.
Another rare appearance without his trademark mustache was on "Charlies Angels" {Target: Angels (#1.5)} , original air date 27 October 1976.
Turned down an offer to have a cameo in the Magnum P.I. (????) movie.
Publicly endorsed Senator John McCain in the 2008 presidential election.
Honored by the Congressional Award in Washington, DC with the 1997 Horizon Award. The Horizon Award is a special recognition from the Joint Leadership of the United States Congress and the Congressional Award Board of Directors. The Horizon Award is presented to individuals from the private sectors who have contributed to expanding opportunities for all Americans through their own personal contributions, and who have set exceptional examples for young people through their successes in life.
Best known for his role on TV as the title character on "Magnum, P.I." .
His daughter Hannah is an international show jumper.
While a member of the California National Guard, Selleck attended the California Military Academy and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. Later, he appeared on recruitment posters for the California National Guard and the California Military Academy.
When he "won" a Worst Supporting Actor Razzie Award for his role in Christopher Columbus: The Discovery , Selleck became one of the first stars, ever, to accept the $4.97 dis-honor.
Has played a Private Investigator in two TV series; Lance White in "The Rockford Files" and Thomas Magnum in "Magnum, P.I." .
Although he plays Len Cariou s son in "Blue Bloods" , he is only 5 years his junior in real life.
Father-in-law of Annabelle Selleck.
Has a German shepherd named "Ooma".
He was not the producers first choice for the lead role in "Magnum, P.I." . Kevin Dobson was offered the role, but turned it down.
Is the only actor to appear in every episode of "Magnum, P.I." .
Met Larry Manetti on the same episode of the last season of "The Rockford Files" , a year before Manetti would co-star with him on "Magnum, P.I." .
He has played the same character (Thomas Magnum) in three different series: "Magnum, P.I." , "Simon & Simon" and "Murder, She Wrote" .
Toms father had English, Scottish, Irish, and a smaller amount of German, ancestry. Toms paternal grandmother was from Ontario, Canada, while all four of Toms maternal great-grandparents were English immigrants.
Inducted into the International Mustache Hall of Fame in 2015 (inaugural class) in the category Film & Television.
His acting mentor was the late James Garner.
Was considered for the role of Professor John Robinson in Lost in Space .
Missed out on the title role in The Terminator because of his commitment to "Magnum, P.I." .
In February 2009, Selleck joined the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund as national spokesman for the new Education Center being built on the National Mall.
He was considered to star in Ruckus , but was considered too big for the role. It went to Dirk Benedict.
Was considered for the role of Harry Brock in Born Yesterday .
Selleck is an avid ice hockey fan and has been seen attending Los Angeles Kings games at the Staples Center. He lists Anze Kopitar and Alexander Frolov as two of his favourite players.
Was considered to appear as a parody of himself in The Cannonball Run . The part ultimately went to Roger Moore.
He was once a minority owner of his favourite baseball team since childhood, the Detroit Tigers.
Was considered for the role of Harry Madox in The Hot Spot that went to Don Johnson.
He was in the running to play Captain Apollo in "Battlestar Galactica" that went to Richard Hatch.
He was an accomplished indoor and beach volleyball player playing the outside hitter position for the Outrigger Canoe Club, Honolulu. (Son Kevin attended Sellecks alma mater, USC, and became a volleyball team All-American in 1990.) Outrigger Canoe Club team mate Dennis Berg, in the summer 2011 issue of Volleyball USA magazine, said of Selleck, "Tom was a great team mate, appreciative of being included with such a talented and experienced group, practising and playing hard when his Magnum schedule permitted.... He was very patient with all of us, and we relished the big crowds that replaced the usual sparse number of players friends and spouses at the national tourney matches.".
Had praised his acting mentor James Garner for his humble beginnings as a television actor.
Credits James Garner as his favorite acting mentor/best friend.
Surrogate son of James Garner.
First celebrity guest to appear on "The View" (11 August 1997).
In addition to "The Rockford Files" , that featured his mentor James Garner , growing up, he also watched the movies that featured Garner.
[televised interview broadcast the day before,Laguna Heat (1987) (TV) was shown on N. Y. cable TV] I was,planning to go into Architecture. But when I arrived [to sign up for,courses], "Architecture" was filled up. "Acting" was right next to it.
So I signed up for Acting instead.
[interview with Taylor Fogarty of American Western,Magazine/ReadTheWest. com, 1/93] All I see is people out there who are,hungry for more [movie westerns].
Popularity is the pocket change of history. The true measure is courage.
[About his parents]: I could go into analysis for 20 years and not blame,them for anything.
