5 Facts About Tom Selleck Including the Career He Almost Had
Tom Selleck is a star who easily worked from decade to decade, starring in movies and television shows, and making fun cameos along the way. Now, at 79 years old, he is still working and most known for Blue Bloods in the past decade or so. Before that, he starred in Magnum P.I., had a beloved guest-starring role in Friends, and starred in films such as Three Men And A Baby and the Jesse Stone franchise. However, it wasn’t always Selleck’s dream to become an actor.
He first pursued a career as a professional athlete
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Selleck was great at basketball and baseball back in the day. He received a basketball scholarship from the University of Southern California and was told by MLB star Mickey Mantle that he had the potential to be in the major leagues. Despite his talent, he eventually decided to drop out of USC to pursue an acting career after he was offered a contract with 20th Century Fox. He later got to act out his former dreams in the film Mr. Baseball.
He appeared on ‘The Dating Game’ twice… and lost both times
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It seems crazy that such an actor known for his handsome looks and attention from the ladies wouldn’t win a dating game show. His television debut was actually on The Dating Game in 1965 when he was just 20 years old (before he had his iconic mustache). He competed again two years later and lost both times! Can you imagine turning down THE Tom Selleck? Those ladies are probably regretting their decision now.
He could have been Indiana Jones
Selleck was offered the role of Indiana Jones in Raiders Of The Lost Ark in 1980. However, he was about to start filming Magnum, P.I. and the timing just didn’t work out for him to do both. Luckily for Selleck, he got to play the role of Indiana Jones in an episode of Magnum P.I. in 1988! Do you remember that episode?
He met his longtime wife while filming a movie
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Selleck and his wife Jillie Mack met while filming Lassiter in 1983. They eventually wed in 1987 and had their daughter, Hannah, in 1988. In 1987, Selleck also starred in one of his most popular films Three Men And A Baby.
His ‘Friends’ scenes had to be reshot because fans were too loud
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In the late ’90s, he guest-starred on Friends as Dr. Richard Burke, Monica’s boyfriend. The show was filmed in front of a live studio audience and many of his scenes had to be re-shot because fans were cheering too loudly! He earned an Emmy nomination for his role in the show in 2000.
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