Tom Selleck: From Heartbreak to Happy Ever After
Hollywood heartthrob Tom Selleck, known for his tough-guy roles, isn't immune to emotional vulnerability. The actor reportedly gets choked up reflecting on his character, Police Chief Jesse Stone, in the "Jesse Stone" movie series. Stone grapples with heartbreak after a failed marriage, mirroring an experience from Selleck's past.
Selleck reportedly confessed to being so moved by a scene depicting the character's emotional turmoil that he couldn't hold back tears. He felt a deep connection with Stone right from the start.
"The script resonated deeply," Selleck is quoted as saying, explaining his instant connection to the "wonderfully flawed" character based on Robert B. Parker's detective novels.
Selleck, who currently stars as Frank Reagan on "Blue Bloods," experienced significant heartbreak when his first wife, Jacki Ray, filed for divorce. The stunning model stood by him for a decade during his Hollywood struggles before his breakthrough on "Magnum, P.I." He even adopted her son from a previous relationship.
The divorce was a devastating blow for Selleck. "I thought it would last forever," he reportedly said.
Ray reportedly blamed the success of "Magnum, P.I." for the marriage's demise. Selleck's relocation to Hawaii for filming coincided with a desire for new romantic pursuits, according to an unnamed source.
"Tom's a charmer," the source said. "He fell for the island life and the beautiful women there."
Ray reportedly couldn't stomach the media portrayal of Selleck surrounded by attractive women. "She couldn't handle the pain," revealed an insider. "He was enjoying the bachelor life."
Ray felt betrayed after supporting him through his lean years. "She never imagined he'd leave her after everything," another source said.
The divorce, finalized in 1982, reportedly granted Ray three years of spousal support, a car, and their shared home. Showbiz insiders speculate that the experience, much like Jesse Stone's, left Selleck with lingering guilt.
Thankfully, Selleck found lasting happiness with his second wife, Jillie Mack, whom he married in 1987. They reportedly made a pact to avoid marital conflict.
"We agreed fighting is pointless," a friend quoted Selleck as saying.
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