See Throwback Photos of Tom Selleck Ahead of the ‘Blue Bloods’ Season Finale

Tom Selleck is closing the book on the latest chapter of his long career. Since 2010, the actor has been a regular fixture on CBS on Friday nights, playing NYPD Commissioner Frank Reagan on Blue Bloods

Blue Bloods wraps up its 14-season run on Dec. 13. Ahead of the highly anticipated series finale, let’s look back on the career of the iconic leading man. 

Tom Selleck lies on the chest of a woman preparing to stab him in the back in the movie 'Daughters of Satan'
Tom Selleck in ‘Daughters of Satan’ | FilmPublicityArchive/United Archives via Getty Images)

Selleck’s Hollywood career began after he appeared on The Dating Game while he was a student at the University of Southern California in the 1960s. That led to parts in commercials, TV shows such as Lancer, and movies like Myra Breckenridge. One of his first starring roles was in the 1972 horror movie Daughters of Satan. 

Tom Selleck, without a mustache, with his arm around a brown-haired woman and next to an image of Tom Selleck in Salem cigarettes ad above a NYC subway entrance
[L-R] Tom Selleck with Anjanette Comer in ‘The Wide World of Mystery’; A 1976 ad featuring Selleck | American Broadcasting Companies via Getty Images; Donaldson Collection/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Selleck is known for his signature mustache, which he’s sported since his early days as an actor. He’s nearly unrecognizable sans-facial hair in this still from a 1974 episode of Wide World of Mystery. But the mustache wasn’t missing for long. It was on full display in a 1976 ad for Salem cigarettes. 

Tom Selleck as Thomas Magnum holding a puppy
Tom Selleck in ‘Magnum, P.I.’ | CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images

Selleck’s career took off in a major way in the 1980s, thanks to his lead role in Magnum P.I. He played Thomas Magnum, a private investigator living in Hawaii. The show ran for eight seasons from 1980 to 1988.  

Tom Selleck, wearing sunglasses, with microphones in his face
Tom Selleck attends the 39th Annual Golden Globe Awards rehearsals on January 29, 1982 | Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

Magnum turned Selleck into one of the most popular TV actors of the decade. In 1982, he was swarmed by reporters as he attended a rehearsal for the Golden Globes. The sudden fame was hard to adjust to.

“I didn’t like it. Mainly because of family and a sense of privacy,” he said in a recent episode of the Where Everybody Knows Your Name podcast. “I started getting asked questions in interviews that I didn’t want to say—give an answer to.” 

Tom Selleck between his girlfriend and mom at the Hollywood Walk of Fame
Tom Selleck with Jillie Mack and Martha Selleck on June 4, 1986 | Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

In 1986, Selleck received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His mother, Martha Selleck, and his then-girlfriend Jillie Mack, were there to help mark the occasion. Selleck married Mack in 1987. They have one daughter and are still together today. 

Tom Selleck sitting at a table at a press conference between Steve Guttenberg and Ted Danson
Steve Guttenberg, Tom Selleck, and Ted Danson at a news conference for ‘Three Men And a Baby. | Erin Combs/Toronto Star via Getty Images

In 1987, Selleck showed off his comedic chops in Three Men and a Baby. He co-starred with Ted Danson and Steven Guttenberg in the movie about three bachelors who unexpectedly wind up with a baby on their hands. 

Tom Selleck dressed as a cowboy and holding a rifle in 'Quigley Down Under'
Tom Selleck in ‘Quigley Down Under’ | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/Getty Images

After Magnum P.I. ended, Selleck went on to star in the Western Quigley Down Under, where he played an American sharpshooter who takes a job working for a rancher (played by Alan Rickman) in Australia.  

Tom Selleck, wearing a tux, standing between Lisa Kudrow and Courteney Cox in 'Friends'
Lisa Kudrow as Phoebe Buffay, Tom Selleck as Dr. Richard Burke, and Courteney Cox as Monica Geller in ‘Friends’ | Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank

Selleck reached a new generation of TV viewers thanks to his role on Friends. He played Dr. Richard Burke, Monica’s (Courteney Cox) much-older love interest on 10 episodes of the hit sitcom. 

Tom Selleck wearing a PPD baseball cap in 'Stone Cold'
Tom Selleck in ‘Stone Cold’ | CBS via Getty Images

Between 2005 and 2015, Selleck played the title character of Jesse Stone in a series of made-for-TV movies based on the novels of Robert B. Parker. He’s talked about reviving the series now that Blue Bloods is over. 

Tom Selleck as Frank Reagan standing behind a lectern in 'Blue Bloods'
Tom Selleck in ‘Blue Bloods’ Season 1 | Marni Grossman/CBS ©2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Blue Bloods premiered in 2010, with Selleck in the key role of Frank Reagan. He’s the patriarch of a New York City family that’s dedicated their lives and careers to criminal justice. 

The cast of 'Blue Bloods,' including Tom Selleck, pose for a photo at PaleyFest NY 2024
The ‘Blue Bloods’ cast at PaleyFest 2024 | Gary Gershoff/Getty Images

In late 2023, CBS announced that Blue Bloods would end after the upcoming 14th season. Selleck has expressed his disappointment in the network’s decision. 

“I’m kind of frustrated. During those last eight shows, I haven’t wanted to talk about an ending for Blue Bloods but about it still being wildly successful,” he told TV Insider. 

While his time as Frank Reagan is over, Selleck says he’s looking forward to what’s next. 

“I need to regroup,” he said. “I don’t know what’s next, but assuming the phone doesn’t stop ringing, I’m going to keep working.”

The Blue Bloods series finale airs Friday, Dec. 13 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on CBS. It will also stream on Paramount+.  

For more on the entertainment world and exclusive interviews, subscribe to Showbiz Cheat Sheet’s YouTube channel.

You May Also Like

I went from 90s boyband star to litter-picking outside studio to pay off £40k debt…I was so ashamed I hid from celeb pal

THE 90s were the decade of the boy band – and even…

Huge US superstar announces BST London gig – here’s when fans can get tickets

AN American pop superstar has been announced as the latest BST headliner.…

Bill Belichick, 72, and girlfriend Jordon Hudson, 24, make their red carpet debut as a couple at NYC gala

Bill Belichick and his girlfriend Jordon Hudson took their relationship to the…

Prince William and Britsh Royals Ditch Old Tradition by Making Subtle yet Powerful ‘Change’

It’s out with the old and in with the new for the…