History of Tom Selleck in Timeline
Thomas William Selleck is a highly acclaimed American actor best known for his role as private investigator Thomas Magnum in the iconic 1980s television series "Magnum, P.I.", which earned him an Emmy Award. His illustrious career includes a long-standing role as New York City Police Commissioner Frank Reagan in "Blue Bloods" since 2010. Selleck also captivated audiences as small-town police chief Jesse Stone in a series of television films adapted from Robert B. Parker novels.
January 29, 1945: Birth of Tom Selleck
On January 29, 1945, Thomas William Selleck was born. He would later become known for his acting career, particularly for his role in "Magnum, P.I."
1948: Selleck Family Relocates to Sherman Oaks
Tom Selleck's family moved to Sherman Oaks, California, in 1948.
1962: High School Graduation and College Years
Tom Selleck graduated from Grant High School and enrolled in Los Angeles Valley College in 1962. He later transferred to the University of Southern California (USC), where he played basketball and baseball. He became a member of Sigma Chi fraternity and the Trojan Knights. Although he initially majored in Business Administration, he discovered acting through a drama coach's suggestion. He dropped out of USC in his senior year to pursue acting studies at the Beverly Hills Playhouse under Milton Katselas.
1965: First Television Appearance on "The Dating Game"
Tom Selleck made his first television appearance as a contestant on "The Dating Game" in 1965.
1967: Second Appearance on "The Dating Game"
Tom Selleck appeared on "The Dating Game" for a second time in 1967.
1967: Military Service in the California National Guard
Tom Selleck joined the California Army National Guard in 1967, serving in the 160th Infantry Regiment during the Vietnam War.
1971: Commercial Appearances for Right Guard and Other Brands
Tom Selleck appeared in a commercial for Right Guard deodorant in 1971, marking one of his early advertising gigs.
1971: Marriage to Jacqueline Ray
Tom Selleck married model Jacqueline Ray in 1971.
1972: Commercial Work and Film Role in "Daughters of Satan"
In 1972, Selleck starred in the B-movie "Daughters of Satan" and appeared in commercials for Dubonnet (with Farrah Fawcett) and Safeguard deodorant soap.
1973: Completion of Military Service
Tom Selleck completed his service in the California Army National Guard in 1973.
1977: Close-Up Toothpaste Commercial
Tom Selleck starred in a commercial for Close-Up toothpaste in 1977.
1979: Western Roles in "The Sacketts" and "Concrete Cowboys"
Tom Selleck embraced his love for the outdoors and firearms with leading roles in Western films, starting with "The Sacketts" and "Concrete Cowboys" in 1979.
1980: "Magnum, P.I." Premieres
Tom Selleck's breakout role as private investigator Thomas Magnum in the television series "Magnum, P.I." premiered in 1980.
1982: Release of "The Shadow Riders"
Tom Selleck starred in another Western film, "The Shadow Riders," in 1982, further establishing his presence in the genre.
1982: Divorce from Jacqueline Ray
Tom Selleck's marriage to Jacqueline Ray ended in divorce in 1982.
1984: Shifting Gears with "Lassiter"
Tom Selleck showcased his versatility as an actor by portraying a cat burglar in the 1984 film "Lassiter," set in 1930s London.
1984: Introduction of Nancy Reagan at the Republican National Convention
Tom Selleck introduced Nancy Reagan at the 1984 Republican National Convention, showcasing his political affiliations.
1984: Emmy Award Nomination for "Magnum, P.I."
Tom Selleck received an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his role in "Magnum, P.I." in 1984.
1985: Emmy Award Win for "Magnum, P.I."
Tom Selleck's performance in "Magnum, P.I." earned him an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 1985.
1986: Hollywood Walk of Fame Star
In 1986, Tom Selleck received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, located at 6925 Hollywood Blvd. This prestigious honor acknowledged his significant contributions to the entertainment industry.
1986: Home Run with the Detroit Tigers
While working out with the Detroit Tigers in 1986, Tom Selleck hit a home run during batting practice.
August 7, 1987: Marriage to Jillie Joan Mack
Tom Selleck married Jillie Joan Mack on August 7, 1987.
1987: Box Office Success with "Three Men and a Baby"
"Three Men and a Baby," in which Selleck played a stand-in father, became the highest-grossing film at the American box office in 1987.
1987: Release of "Three Men and a Baby"
Tom Selleck starred as Peter Mitchell in the comedy "Three Men and a Baby" in 1987, which became a major box office success.
December 16, 1988: Birth of Hannah Selleck
Tom Selleck's daughter, Hannah, was born on December 16, 1988.
1988: End of "Magnum, P.I." and Start of its Syndication Success
1988 marked the end of "Magnum, P.I." after eight seasons. However, it became incredibly popular in syndication, holding the top spot for a one-hour show in reruns.
1989: Golden Plate Award
Tom Selleck received the Golden Plate Award from the American Academy of Achievement in 1989, recognizing his accomplishments and contributions to society.
1989: Exploring Different Genres in "Her Alibi" and "An Innocent Man"
Tom Selleck starred in the romantic comedy "Her Alibi" and the crime drama "An Innocent Man" in 1989, further diversifying his filmography.
1990: Release of "Three Men and a Little Lady" and "Quigley Down Under"
Tom Selleck reprised his role in the sequel "Three Men and a Little Lady" in 1990. That same year, he also starred in the Australian Western "Quigley Down Under," a film and role he holds in high regard.
1990: Portrayal of a Gay Character in "In & Out"
Tom Selleck took on the role of Peter Malloy in the film "In & Out," marking his first time portraying a gay character.
1990: Kevin Selleck's Volleyball Success
Tom Selleck's son, Kevin, became a volleyball All-American while attending USC in 1990.
1991: Training for Mr. Baseball
Tom Selleck practiced with the Detroit Tigers in the spring of 1991 to prepare for his role in the film "Mr. Baseball."
1993: Voice-Over Work for AT&T's "You Will" Campaign
Tom Selleck lent his voice to AT&T's futuristic "You Will" advertising campaign in 1993.
1996: Larry Manetti's Praise
In his 1996 memoir, "Aloha Magnum," Larry Manetti praised Tom Selleck's work ethic, charitable contributions, and support of his colleagues.
1997: Western Heritage Award for "Last Stand at Saber River"
Tom Selleck's performance in the 1997 Western film "Last Stand at Saber River" earned him a Western Heritage Award.
February 1998: Lead Role in Short-Lived Sitcom "The Closer"
In February 1998, Tom Selleck returned to prime-time TV with the lead role in the CBS sitcom "The Closer." Despite high expectations, the show was canceled after only ten episodes.
1998: "Magnum, P.I." Remains a Syndication Powerhouse
By 1998, "Magnum, P.I." continued to hold its own as a syndication favorite, demonstrating its enduring appeal.
May 19, 1999: Appearance on The Rosie O'Donnell Show
On May 19, 1999, Tom Selleck appeared on The Rosie O'Donnell Show to promote his film The Love Letter. During the interview, O'Donnell questioned Selleck about his stance on gun control and his support for the NRA, leading to a tense exchange. Despite the disagreement, Selleck later expressed that he still liked O'Donnell.
April 28, 2000: Honorary Doctorate from Pepperdine University
On April 28, 2000, Tom Selleck received an honorary doctorate degree from Pepperdine University. The honor recognized his outstanding character and ethics, as well as his contributions to organizations like the Joseph and Edna Josephson Institute of Ethics and the Character Counts Coalition.
2000: Emmy Award Nomination for "Friends"
Tom Selleck's recurring role as Dr. Richard Burke on the TV series "Friends" earned him an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series in 2000.
2001: Crossfire Trail and A Thousand Clowns
In 2001, Tom Selleck starred in the TNT western "Crossfire Trail" and played the lead role in a Broadway revival of "A Thousand Clowns."
2002: Firearm Donation to NRA
In 2002, Tom Selleck donated seven firearms, including the rifle used in "Quigley Down Under," to the National Rifle Association's National Firearms Museum.
2003: Monte Walsh
Tom Selleck appeared in the western film "Monte Walsh" in 2003.
2003: NRA Spokesman
Tom Selleck succeeded Charlton Heston as the spokesman for the National Rifle Association in 2003.
2004: Ike: Countdown to D-Day
Tom Selleck received critical acclaim for his portrayal of General Dwight D. Eisenhower in the TV movie "Ike: Countdown to D-Day," which aired in 2004.
2005: Start of "Jesse Stone" Television Film Series
Tom Selleck began portraying the character Jesse Stone, a troubled police chief, in a series of television films based on Robert B. Parker's novels. The first film premiered in 2005.
2005: Jesse Stone Series Begins
Tom Selleck began starring as Jesse Stone in a series of TV movies based on Robert B. Parker's novels in 2005.
September 28, 2007: Las Vegas Debut
Tom Selleck joined the cast of the NBC drama "Las Vegas" as A.J. Cooper on September 28, 2007.
December 30, 2007: Florida's Natural Voiceovers
Tom Selleck became the voice of Florida's Natural orange juice on December 30, 2007.
February 2009: Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund Spokesperson
Tom Selleck became the national spokesman for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund's new Education Center in February 2009.
September 24, 2010: Blue Bloods Premieres
The CBS police drama "Blue Bloods," starring Tom Selleck as Frank Reagan, premiered on September 24, 2010.
2010: Killers
In 2010, Tom Selleck appeared in the film "Killers."
2010: Tom Selleck Joins "Blue Bloods"
Tom Selleck took on the role of New York City Police Commissioner Frank Reagan in the series "Blue Bloods," which premiered in 2010.
2012: Life on the Ranch
In a 2012 interview, Tom Selleck discussed his enjoyment of working on his 60-acre avocado ranch.
2012: Coldwell Banker Campaign
Tom Selleck was featured in a Coldwell Banker television ad campaign in 2012.
2014: Tribute to James Garner
Following the death of James Garner in 2014, Tom Selleck expressed his admiration for Garner as a mentor and friend.
October 2015: Jesse Stone Series Continues
The most recent installment of the "Jesse Stone" TV movie series, starring and produced by Tom Selleck, was released in October 2015.
2015: Conclusion of "Jesse Stone" Television Film Series
The ninth and final installment of the "Jesse Stone" television film series, starring Tom Selleck, aired in 2015, marking the end of his run as the titular character.
2016: 2016 Presidential Election
In 2016, Tom Selleck chose not to vote for either Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump in the presidential election. Instead, he wrote in former Dallas Police Department Chief David Brown, citing his admiration for Brown's leadership during the 2016 Dallas police shooting.
2016: American Advisors Group Spokesperson
Tom Selleck began serving as the spokesperson for reverse-mortgage lender American Advisors Group (AAG) in 2016.
September 18, 2018: Resignation from NRA Board
While remaining a member, Tom Selleck resigned from the board of directors of the National Rifle Association on September 18, 2018.
2021: Musical Debut
A recording of Tom Selleck singing "Yessir, That's My Baby" with Nicolas King was released on King's album "Act One" in 2021.
2024: Blue Bloods Final Season
"Blue Bloods" starring Tom Selleck as Frank Reagan, is in its final season as of 2024.