Thomas William "Tom" Selleck is an actor made famous by his portrayal of the private investigator Thomas Magnum in the television series, Magnum, P.I., with his serious looks, stern demeanor and
the trademark moustache, he makes a good choice to play cops and investigators roles he had often been offered to portray. Keeping up with his image, he played the Police Chief Jesse Stone in a
series of television movies based on Robert B. Parker novels. The talented actor had been in show business for long before he actually got noticed. He had appeared in minor roles in a number of
films and television productions before Magnum, P.I., happened and made him a household name.
After that role he began receiving more substantial parts in television series and films and landed a role in the movie Three Men, and a Baby which went on to become a huge commercial hit. Acting
seemed to be an unlikely profession for the athletic basketball player who majored in business administration. He took up acting on the advice of a drama coach. Starting from small roles he
eventually rose to become the award winning, much sought after actor that he is today. A sportsman during his younger years, he is also an accomplished beach volleyball player..
Career
He began his acting career playing small role in television series. He appeared as a college senior on the show, The Dating Game in 1965, a role he reprised in 1967. He also started acting in
commercials during his initial days he would grab on to any work he could get his hands on.
All through the 1970s he found employment playing minor roles in films and television productions like The Movie Murderer (1970), Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law (1973), Charlies Angels
(1976), and The Sacketts (1979).
In spite of his good looks, impressive physique and acting skills, the talented actors career was not moving forward the way he would have wanted it to; even after working for years, he
primarily remained unnoticed. This changed when he was offered a role in the television series, Magnum, P.I.
He played Thomas Magnum, a private investigator, in the television series, Magnum, P.I.. The series which was broadcast on the CBS network from 1980 to 1988 was a big hit, and one of the
highest rated shows on U.S. television.
His movie career also took off following his success as a television actor. He appeared along with Steve Guttenberg and Ted Danson in the comedy film, Three Men and a Baby in 1987. The film
was one of the biggest hits of the year.
He played Dr. Richard Burke in 10 episodes of the television sitcom Friends from 1996 to 2000. His performance was much loved by the critics as well as the audience even though his role was
just a guest appearance. He was nominated for Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series.
In 1997 he acted in the romantic comedy In & Out which also starred Kevin Kline, Joan Cusack, and Matt Dillon. The movie was inspired by Tom Hankss speech at the 1994 Oscar Awards
ceremony regarding the wonderful gay men he had met.
He starred as a successful advertising agency executive in the television sitcom, The Closer. He appeared in 10 episodes of the show that aired on CBS in 1998.
During 2007-08, he appeared as A.J. Cooper in the television series Las Vegas. The show focused on a group of casino employees who dealt with issues arising within the working environment.
Along side Kathy Baker he appeared in the television mystery film Jesse Stone: Sea Change in 2007. The movie was based on a novel by Robert Parker and revolved around a police chief who
investigates an unsolved murder. He reprized his role of Jesse Stone in other movies in the series too.
Starting form 2010 he has been starring in the police drama series Blue Bloods as Frank Reagan. The series follows the life and works of a family of police officers with the New York City
Police Department.