History of Tom Selleck in Timeline

Tom Selleck is an American actor best known for his role as Thomas Magnum in the television series Magnum, P.I. (1980–1988), for which he won an Emmy Award. He also co-starred as Frank Reagan in Blue Bloods (2010-2024) and portrayed Jesse Stone in a series of television films based on Robert B. Parker's novels (2005-2015).

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

1944: Planning, Politics, and Preparation for the 1944 Invasion of Normandy.

In 2004, Tom Selleck played the role of General Dwight D. Eisenhower in A&E's made-for-TV movie 'Ike: Countdown to D-Day' which showed the planning, politics, and preparation for the 1944 Invasion of Normandy

January 29, 1945: Tom Selleck Born

On January 29, 1945, Thomas William Selleck was born. He later became an American actor known for his role in Magnum, P.I.

1948: Family Move to Sherman Oaks

In 1948, Tom Selleck's family moved to Sherman Oaks, California.

1957: Birth of Jillie Joan Mack

In 1957, Jillie Joan Mack was born and later married Selleck.

1962: Graduation from Grant High School

In 1962, Tom Selleck graduated from Grant High School.

1965: First Television Appearance

In 1965, Tom Selleck made his first television appearance as a college senior on The Dating Game.

1966: Birth of Kevin Shepard

In 1966, Kevin Shepard was born to Jacqueline Ray and was later adopted by Selleck.

1967: Second Appearance on The Dating Game

In 1967, Tom Selleck made his second television appearance on The Dating Game.

1967: Enlistment in California Army National Guard

In 1967, Tom Selleck served as an infantryman in the California Army National Guard.

1971: Right Guard Commercial

In 1971, Tom Selleck appeared in a commercial for Right Guard deodorant.

1971: Marriage to Jacqueline Ray

In 1971, Tom Selleck married model Jacqueline Ray.

1972: Dubonnet Commercial

In 1972, Tom Selleck appeared in a commercial for the aperitif Dubonnet with Farrah Fawcett.

1973: Attained rank of Sergeant

From 1967 to 1973, Selleck served in Company C, 1st Battalion, 160th Infantry, in the California Army National Guard and attained the rank of sergeant.

1973: End of Service in California Army National Guard

In 1973, Tom Selleck concluded his service in the California Army National Guard, having attained the rank of sergeant.

1977: Close-Up Commercial

In 1977, Tom Selleck appeared in a commercial for Close-Up toothpaste.

1979: Role in The Sacketts and Concrete Cowboys

In 1979, Tom Selleck played Orrin Sackett in 'The Sacketts' and also starred in 'Concrete Cowboys'.

1980: Role as Thomas Magnum Begins

In 1980, Tom Selleck began playing the role of Thomas Magnum in the television series Magnum, P.I.

1980: Breakout Role in Magnum, P.I.

In 1980, Tom Selleck gained his breakout role as Thomas Magnum in the television series Magnum, P.I.

1982: Divorce from Jacqueline Ray

In 1982, Tom Selleck divorced model Jacqueline Ray.

1982: Release of The Shadow Riders

In 1982, Tom Selleck starred in 'The Shadow Riders'.

1984: Introduction of Nancy Reagan

In 1984, Tom Selleck introduced Nancy Reagan at the 1984 Republican National Convention.

1984: Role in Lassiter

In 1984, Tom Selleck played a cat burglar in 1930s London in Lassiter.

1984: Emmy Award Win

In 1984, Tom Selleck won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his role in Magnum, P.I.

1985: Emmy Award Win

In 1985, Tom Selleck won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his role in Magnum, P.I.

1986: Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame

In 1986, Selleck received a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, located at 6925 Hollywood Blvd.

1986: Batting Practice Home Run

In 1986, Tom Selleck hit a batting practice home run while working out with the Detroit Tigers.

August 7, 1987: Marriage to Jillie Joan Mack

On August 7, 1987, Tom Selleck married Jillie Joan Mack.

1987: Starring in Three Men and a Baby

In 1987, Tom Selleck played bachelor architect Peter Mitchell in the film Three Men and a Baby.

December 16, 1988: Birth of Daughter Hannah

On December 16, 1988, Tom Selleck and Jillie Joan Mack welcomed their daughter, Hannah.

1988: End of Magnum, P.I.

In 1988, Magnum, P.I. ended its run.

1988: Magnum, P.I. Series Finale

In 1988, the television series Magnum, P.I., starring Tom Selleck, concluded after eight seasons.

1989: Golden Plate Award

In 1989, Selleck received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement.

1989: Starring in Her Alibi and An Innocent Man

In 1989, Tom Selleck starred in the romantic comedy 'Her Alibi' and the crime drama 'An Innocent Man'.

1990: Starring in Three Men and a Little Lady

In 1990, Tom Selleck reprised his role as Peter Mitchell in the sequel Three Men and a Little Lady.

1990: Starring in Quigley Down Under

In 1990, Tom Selleck starred as an American 19th-century sharpshooter in the Australian Western 'Quigley Down Under'.

1990: Kevin Shepard All-American

In 1990, Tom Selleck's adopted son Kevin Shepard became a volleyball team All-American at USC.

1991: Practice with Detroit Tigers

In 1991, Tom Selleck practiced with the Detroit Tigers during spring training to prepare for his role in the film Mr. Baseball.

1993: Voice-Over for AT&T Advertising Campaigns

In 1993, Tom Selleck did the voice-over for the AT&T advertising campaigns titled "You Will."

1996: Larry Manetti Memoir

In 1996, Larry Manetti, Selleck's Magnum co-star, praised Selleck's work ethic, his support for Hawaiian charities, and his support for the cast and crew in his memoir.

1997: Western Heritage Award for Last Stand at Saber River

In 1997, Tom Selleck won a "Western Heritage Award" for his role in Last Stand at Saber River.

February 1998: Lead Role in The Closer

In February 1998, Tom Selleck accepted the lead role in a CBS sitcom called The Closer, marking his big comeback on prime-time TV.

1998: Top-Rated Syndicated Reruns

By 1998, Magnum, P.I. became the top-rated one-hour show in the history of syndicated reruns.

May 19, 1999: The Rosie O'Donnell Show Appearance

On May 19, 1999, Selleck appeared on The Rosie O'Donnell Show to promote The Love Letter, and was questioned about his support for gun ownership and the NRA.

April 28, 2000: Honorary Doctorate from Pepperdine University

On April 28, 2000, Selleck received an honorary doctorate degree from Pepperdine University due to his outstanding character and ethics.

2000: Emmy Award Nomination for Friends

In 2000, Tom Selleck earned an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his role in Friends.

2001: Duet Recorded with Nicolas King

In 2001, Tom Selleck sang with Nicolas King (recorded live during their run of A Thousand Clowns) released 20 years later on King's album Act One.

2001: Lead Role in Crossfire Trail and A Thousand Clowns

In 2001, Tom Selleck starred in 'Crossfire Trail' and played the lead role of Murray in a Broadway revival of 'A Thousand Clowns'.

2002: Donation to NRA

In 2002, Selleck donated a rifle from Quigley Down Under and six other firearms from his films to the NRA's "Real Guns of Reel Heroes" exhibit.

2003: NRA Spokesman

In 2003, Selleck succeeded Charlton Heston as an NRA spokesman.

2003: Motion Picture Monte Walsh

In 2003, Tom Selleck was in the motion picture Monte Walsh.

2004: Role as General Dwight D. Eisenhower

In 2004, Tom Selleck played the role of General Dwight D. Eisenhower in A&E's made-for-TV movie 'Ike: Countdown to D-Day'.

2005: Portrayal of Jesse Stone Begins

In 2005, Tom Selleck began portraying troubled small-town police chief Jesse Stone in a series of television films.

2005: Starring in Jesse Stone series begins

Since 2005, Tom Selleck has starred in the role of Jesse Stone in a series of made-for-TV movies based on Robert B. Parker's novels.

September 28, 2007: Joins Cast of Las Vegas

On September 28, 2007, Tom Selleck joined the cast of the NBC drama Las Vegas, playing A. J. Cooper.

December 30, 2007: Commercial Voice-Overs for Florida's Natural

As of December 30, 2007, Tom Selleck began doing commercial voice-overs for Florida's Natural orange juice.

February 2009: Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund Spokesman

In February 2009, Selleck became the national spokesman for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund's new Education Center.

September 24, 2010: Blue Bloods Premiere

On September 24, 2010, the CBS series Blue Bloods, starring Tom Selleck as Frank Reagan, premiered.

2010: Co-Starring in Blue Bloods

In 2010, Tom Selleck began co-starring as NYC Police Commissioner Frank Reagan in the television series Blue Bloods.

2010: Role in Killers

In 2010, Tom Selleck played the role of Mr. Kornfeldt in the movie Killers.

2011: Outrigger Canoe Club Teammate Comments

In the summer of 2011, Tom Selleck's Outrigger Canoe Club teammate Dennis Berg spoke about Selleck's volleyball skills and his presence on the team.

2012: Coldwell Banker Ad Campaign

In 2012, Tom Selleck was featured in Coldwell Banker's television ad campaign focusing on homeownership.

2012: Interview about Ranch Life

In a 2012 interview with People, Tom Selleck discussed living and working on his 60-acre avocado ranch.

2014: James Garner's Death

In 2014, upon the death of James Garner, Selleck expressed his sorrow, acknowledging Garner as a mentor and friend.

October 2015: Latest Jesse Stone Film Released

In October 2015, the most recent Jesse Stone film, starring and produced by Tom Selleck, was released.

2015: Jesse Stone Films End

In 2015, Tom Selleck ended portraying troubled small-town police chief Jesse Stone in a series of television films.

2016: 2016 Presidential Election

During the 2016 presidential election, Selleck wrote in David Brown, former Dallas Police Department Chief, as his choice for president.

2016: Pitchman for American Advisors Group

Starting in 2016, Tom Selleck became the pitchman for reverse-mortgage lender American Advisors Group (AAG).

September 18, 2018: Resignation from NRA Board

On September 18, 2018, Selleck resigned from the board of directors of the National Rifle Association, while remaining a member.

2021: Album Debut with Nicolas King

In 2021, Tom Selleck made his album debut singing "Yessir, That's My Baby" with Nicolas King on King's album Act One.

2024: Blue Bloods Final Season

As of 2024, Blue Bloods, starring Tom Selleck, is in its final season.

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