Tom Selleck Facts: Celebrities Who Started on Soaps

Tom Selleck is an iconic actor who is best known for his work on television hits such as Mangum, P.I. and Blue Bloods, as well as movies like Three Men and a Baby and Lassiter. He also appeared on a soap.

While he’s had so many starring roles, Selleck was also incredible when he recurred on shows such as Friends and The Closer. From where he was born and raised to the legendary role he almost won, here are five fast facts about the actor.

Who Is Tom Selleck?

Selleck was born on January 29 in Detroit, Michigan, but his family moved to Sherman Oaks, California while he was a child. He graduated from Grant High School and enrolled at Los Angeles Valley College, before transferring to the University of Southern California. He decided to drop out his senior year to pursue acting.

Soap Beginnings
Selleck began his acting career in the ‘60s after receiving small parts in movies, but he also began working in television. In fact, his first television appearance was on The Dating Game. A few years later in 1974, he got the part of Jed Andrews on The Young and the Restless. He left the role in 1975.

Lost Ark, Lost Role
Selleck was originally cast as Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark, but he was unable to take the part because he was committed to his role in Magnum, P.I. He was very conflicted about whether he should accept the role, but he ultimately decided to honor his contract. Harrison Ford, of course, became Indy after Selleck turned it down and Magnum, P.I. later did an episode that parodied Raiders.

MLB Player For a Day

While working on his role for the film Mr. Baseball, Selleck joined the Detroit Tigers in 1992 for spring training. In fact, he actually took an at-bat during a game against the Cincinnati Reds, but he ended up striking out after fouling a number of pitches.

Getting Personal With Tom Selleck
Selleck first married model Jacqueline Ray in 1971 and he adopted her son, Kevin Shepard. However, the couple split in 1982. He then married Jillie Joan Mack on August 7, 1987, and they have one daughter together named Hannah, who was born on December 16, 1988.