"Blue Bloods" Star Tom Selleck Talks about Finding Fame After 35, Balancing Family Life, Acting, and Ranching

Tom Selleck, known for his role in the popular CBS series Blue Bloods, was raised in suburban Los Angeles as the son of a real estate broker. Despite having no prior interest in acting, he received a basketball scholarship to the University of Southern California. In a revealing interview with AARP The Magazine, Selleck shares how he ventured into TV commercials to make ends meet and made guest appearances on The Dating Game. These experiences eventually led to his breakthrough role on Magnum P.I. The Golden Globe and Emmy award-winning actor also discusses staying grounded and living a private life with his wife Jillie Mack on their working ranch in California.

Excerpts from the AARP The Magazine cover story featuring Tom Selleck, available in the October/November issue at aarp.org/magazine, include:

On His Longevity in Showbiz:
“The luckiest thing that happened was that I didn’t get a real [acting] job until I was 35. When I was 25 I looked 35, but sounded 15. There are a lot of very good actors who make it as younger leading men but don’t graduate because the audience won’t accept them as grown up.”

On His Role in Blue Bloods:
“The best thing about the Reagans’ family dinner was that it wasn’t The Waltons. The characters argue and are at each other’s throats.”

On Magnum P.I. and Recognition:
“Magnum was recognized as the first show to portray a Vietnam veteran in a positive way.”

On His Acting Career Beginnings:
“I never did school plays. I had no interest.”

On His Relationship with Wife Jillie Mack:
“We’re both independent. There’s a lot of yin and yang in us. I’m kind of quiet. She’s got this joie de vivre. I don’t know what our secret is, but we are happy.”

On Living as a Working Rancher:
“I work this ranch every day. I do the grunt jobs because it saves me money. And it’s good for my head. This ranch is a great counterpoint to the acting business. I’m waging war with the tumbleweeds.”

Tom Selleck, a television icon for almost 30 years since his role in 'Magnum, P.I.,' continues to be a prominent figure in the TV industry.