- Has played the same character (Thomas Magnum) on three different series: Magnum, P.I. (1980), Simon & Simon (1981) and Murder, She Wrote (1984).
- For the 8th and final season of Magnum, P.I. (1980), Universal Studios gave him a bonus of $350,000, which he spent on lavish gifts, such as Rolex watches, Porsches, $1000 bonuses, for the entire cast and crew of Magnum, P.I. (1980).
- The decision of choosing the leading role of Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) or Magnum, P.I. (1980) actually haunted Selleck so much that he consulted his best friend. Together, they came to the conclusion that honoring his contract with Magnum, P.I. (1980) was the honorable thing to do. It turned out that the shooting of the pilot for Magnum, P.I. (1980) was delayed for over six months, which would have enabled Selleck to complete the role of Indiana Jones. Ironically, while waiting in Hawaii for Magnum, P.I. (1980) to commence filming, Steven Spielberg and George Lucas were also in Hawaii to shoot scenes for Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981).
- Selleck was originally cast as "Indiana Jones", but was not able to take the role because he was committed to Magnum, P.I. (1980). "Magnum" did an episode, Legend of the Lost Art (1988), that parodied "Raiders", complete with hat, whip and booby traps.
- His only biological child is Hannah, his daughter with Jillie Mack; Hannah is an international show jumper. Kevin Selleck is the son of his first wife, Jacqueline Ray, from her first marriage. Tom Selleck adopted Kevin during the marriage and has continued to treat him as a beloved son after he and Jacqueline Ray divorced.
- Although Selleck plays Len Cariou's son in Blue Bloods (2010), Cariou is only six years Selleck's senior in real life.
- Starred in six failed television pilots before landing his breakthrough role on Magnum, P.I. (1980).
- Was a member of the California National Guard and was activated for the Watts riots.
- He and his family maintain their primary residence in Thousand Oaks, California, but also have secondary properties in Freedom, California; Jonesboro, Maine; and in the Shetland Islands, located off Scotland. (2010)
- While preparing for Mr. Baseball (1992), he joined the Detroit Tigers in 1992 for spring training. He actually took an at-bat (as a pinch hitter) in a game against the Cincinnati Reds, facing Reds' pitcher Tim Layana. Selleck ended up striking out after fouling away half a dozen pitches.
- Used to own the Black Orchid Restaurant in Honolulu, along with two other investors, including former co-star Larry Manetti.
- Was asked to star opposite Julie Andrews in Victor/Victoria (1982) but hesitated, and by the time he decided he wanted the role, he was already locked into his Magnum, P.I. (1980) contract - the very same contract that cost him the role of Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981).
- He was once a minority owner of his favourite baseball team since childhood, the Detroit Tigers.
- Inducted into the International Mustache Hall of Fame (inaugural class) in the category Film & Television (2015).
- He was an accomplished indoor and beach volleyball player playing the outside hitter position for the Outrigger Canoe Club, Honolulu (Son Kevin attended Selleck's alma mater, USC, and became a volleyball team All-American in 1990.) Outrigger Canoe Club teammate Dennis Berg, in the summer 2011 issue of Volleyball USA magazine, said of Selleck, "Tom was a great teammate, appreciative of being included with such a talented and experienced group, practicing and playing hard when his Magnum schedule permitted.... He was very patient with all of us, and we relished the big crowds that replaced the usual sparse number of players' friends and spouses at the national tourney matches.".
- While a member of the California National Guard, Selleck attended the California Military Academy and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. Later, he appeared on recruitment posters for the California National Guard and the California Military Academy.
- Received an honorary doctorate from Pepperdine University. He was chosen because of his outstanding character and ethic. He is a board member of the non-profit Michael Josephson Institute of Ethics and co-founder of the Character Counts Coalition. Attended the University of Southern California and in his senior year earned a basketball scholarship after walking onto the team as a junior. (April 28, 2000)
- Played competitive volleyball with the Outrigger Canoe Club and was a three-time All American selection, twice winning the over-35 division in the National Championships.
- During the brief run of the late night The Chevy Chase Show (1993) on Fox, he guest-starred and, as a gag, asked to be presented his 1993 Worst Supporting Actor "Razzie" award for his performance as "King Ferdinand of Spain" in Christopher Columbus: The Discovery (1992). When the Razzie was actually presented to him on the air, Selleck took it in stride and asked the entire studio audience to "blow me a raspberry". Selleck thus became the third person in Razzie history to voluntarily accept one of the Worst Achievements in Film statuettes.
- In February 2009, Selleck joined the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund as national spokesman for the new Education Center being built on the National Mall.
- Honored by the Congressional Award in Washington, DC with the 1997 Horizon Award. The Horizon Award is a special recognition from the Joint Leadership of the United States Congress and the Congressional Award Board of Directors. The Horizon Award is presented to individuals from the private sectors who have contributed to expanding opportunities for all Americans through their own personal contributions, and who have set exceptional examples for young people through their successes in life.
- When he "won" a Worst Supporting Actor Razzie® Award for his role in Christopher Columbus: The Discovery (1992), Selleck became one of the first stars, ever, to accept the $4.97 dis-honor.
- Met Larry Manetti on the same episode of the last season of The Rockford Files (1974), a year before Manetti would co-star with him on Magnum, P.I. (1980).
- Has played a private investigator on two television series: Lance White in The Rockford Files (1974) and Thomas Magnum in Magnum, P.I. (1980).
- Magnum, P.I. (1980) was named the number one detective series of all time by "The Sleuth" television network.
- Tom's father had English, as well as Scottish, Irish, and German, ancestry. Tom's paternal grandmother was born in Chatham, Kent, Ontario, Canada. On his mother's side, all four of Tom's maternal great-grandparents were English immigrants to Pennsylvania.
- Missed out on the title role in The Terminator (1984) because of his commitment to Magnum, P.I. (1980). The role eventually went to Arnold Schwarzenegger.
- Was turned down for the lead role on the television series Vega$ (1978), which went to Robert Urich. Selleck and Urich once co-starred in a television pilot (that was never picked up) called Bunco (1977).
- Is a member of the National Rifle Association and memorably sparred with Rosie O'Donnell on The Rosie O'Donnell Show (1996) about gun control and an advertisement in which he appeared supporting the NRA.
- He was not the producers' first choice for the lead role in Magnum, P.I. (1980). Kevin Dobson was offered the role, which he turned down.
- Turned down an offer to have a cameo in the Magnum P.I. movie.
- Vocally supported President Ronald Reagan through the 1980s. In Blue Bloods (2010), his character, "Commissioner Frank Reagan", has political ties.
- Is the only actor to appear in every episode of Magnum, P.I. (1980).
- His first television appearance was as a college senior on The Dating Game (1965) in 1967 and then a second time (date unknown at this time). Incredibly, he lost both times. Soon after, he appeared in television commercials for products such as Pepsi-Cola.
- In 2001, he appeared clean-shaven (a rarity for Selleck) on Broadway in "A Thousand Clowns". Unfortunately, the show was forced to close early on account of the 9/11 attacks.
- Selleck is an avid ice hockey fan and has been seen attending Los Angeles Kings games at the Staples Center. He lists Anze Kopitar and Alexander Frolov as two of his favourite players.
- In addition to The Rockford Files (1974), that featured his mentor James Garner, growing up, he also watched the movies that featured Garner.
- George Lucas, having worked on a number of films with Harrison Ford, wanted a different actor for Indiana Jones and had picked Tom Selleck. However, he was already scheduled for Magnum, P.I. (1980) and CBS wouldn't agree to delay filming. Therefore, Tom lost out and although becoming a star with the series, he never achieved big screen stardom.
- In the early 1990s, Selleck shot a commercial for the conservative National Review. But, in 1992, he made a $1,000 donation to the presidential bid of Democratic Senator Paul Tsongas. Five years later, New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd reported that Republicans were then urging Selleck to run for the US. Senate in California (a story Selleck quickly shot down). In 1999, he filmed an advertisement for the National Rifle Association. An actor friend said of Selleck: "He's not a Republican ... [H]e's an independent". Since then, he has kept his political profile low.
- Chosen by People magazine as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People in the World. (1998)
- He was in the running to play Captain Apollo on Battlestar Galactica (1978), which went to Richard Hatch.
- Grew up in San Fernando and attended the University of Southern California where he obtained a degree in English.
- Was considered as the next President of the National Rifle Association (NRA) following the retirement of his close friend Charlton Heston in 2003.
- He was considered for the role of Professor John Robinson in Lost in Space (1998), which went to William Hurt.
- Shaved off his trademark moustache for the comedy film In & Out (1997). Once rarely seen without it, he has since kept it off for most of his stage and screen work.
- Has a German shepherd named "Ooma".
- Having served in the California National Guard himself, each of the characters Tom Selleck has portrayed on his television series have had military backgrounds: Thomas Magnum ("Magnum, P.I." 1980-1988) was a former Navy SEAL; A.J. Cooper ("Las Vegas" 2007-2008) was a former Marine; and NYPD Commissioner Francis "Frank" Reagan ("Blue Bloods" 2010-2021) is also a former Marine.
- Member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity.
- He was considered to appear as a parody of himself in The Cannonball Run (1981). The role ultimately went to Roger Moore.
- Studied acting at The Beverly Hills Playhouse with Milton Katselas.
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