Although he has become one of the most well-known actors of his time, Tom Selleck admits his acting career was actually “accidental.”
During a recent interview with PEOPLE, the Blue Bloods star stated he originally went to USC on a basketball scholarship and majored in business administration. He didn’t even consider going into acting until he landed his first job as a basketball player in a Pepsi commercial.
He was also tapped as a bachelor on The Dating Game. “It is really a story of an accidental career,” Tom Selleck said about his acting career. “I’d never taken an acting class. I had no training, no desire.”
Selleck ended up landing roles on The Young and The Restless as well as The Rockford Files before scoring his breakthrough role on Magnum at the age of 35. However, the longtime actor stated he never sought stardom and fame.
“People would say, ‘Oh, he was bitten by the acting bug,’” Tom Selelck continued. “Or ‘He wanted to be a star.’ I’ve never talked that way in my life. I just wanted to get a job and work.”
Admittedly and surprisingly not an avid TV viewer, Tom Selleck said he enjoys spending his free time going over Blue Bloods scripts with his wife Jillie. “I’m one of the last guys to see it,” he shared about the scripts. “And I’m a good editor.”
Selleck then pointed out how incredibly lucky he has been with his career. “I’ve had a very good life, a very lucky life. I don’t know if it’s what I figured I’d be doing, but it’s with a lot of gratitude.”
Tom Selleck Avoided Personal Life Struggles by Being More Private
Meanwhile, Tom Selleck spoke about how his private lifestyle has helped him over the years. “I don’t have the hooks that a lot of people do,” he explained. “I didn’t rehabilitate myself or have this tragic life.”
However, Selleck pointed out that he had his share of ups and downs. “But I’ve been very fortunate.”
Speaking also about writing his soon-to-be-released memoir, You Never Know, Tom Selleck said the book is a lot about “failing, endless failures.”
“If you’re going to get in the acting business, you better get an appetite for it. And I tried to communicate that. Because it was kind of a long road.”
Tom notably wrote You Never Know in longhand. He also took four years to finish the book due to COVID. It will be in stores on May 7.