Maybe more famously known as mister Thomas Magnum, Tom Selleck has made a name for himself on television since the 1970s. Such a classic actor must have fascinating things to say about life and Hollywood. And, Tom Selleck quotes are just that!
Selleck wasn’t an actor from the beginning. He was an athlete, playing all kinds of sports. He loved basketball. At 6′ 4″ tall, it is no surprise he excelled at the game, receiving a basketball scholarship to the University of Southern California. His height along with good looks also made him pursue modeling. That’s where the idea of acting rolled around.
Yet, Selleck didn’t fall into Hollywood that quickly, despite it being right outside his college dorm door. He did get a deal with Fox, but that opportunity fell through the cracks when Selleck was drafted in the Vietnam war.
Selleck didn’t let that get him down. When he returned, he pursued his acting career diligently. He starred in commercials and TV shows all throughout the 70s. Then, he landed his big break in Magnum P.I.
The rest is history from there for Selleck. He’s become an icon of his own, starring in all sorts of projects that people of various generations know and love.
And, a little fun fact – Selleck was offered the role of Mitch Buchannon in Baywatch. As we know, that role went to David Hasselhoff. But, imagine the world if Selleck made a different choice!
Enjoy this collection of Tom Selleck quotes we have for you here on CleverQuotes.com!
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“There was a time I could have been mistaken for Burt Reynolds. I had a mustache and so did he. But he was the number one star in the world, so there wasn’t really much confusion.”
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“My first priority is time with my family.”
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“I hate going to the gym, so sweating outdoors sure beats sitting on a stationary bike staring at my navel.”
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“I had a strong, really good upbringing, not puritanical.”
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“I’ve never reacted well to other people telling me what to do.”
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“I think a lot of Magnum was me.”
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“I realized I really liked the screen. I knew it was a challenge, but I wasn’t afraid of risk.”
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“If you buy an expensive thing and you never use it, I don’t think there’s a point to it.”
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“I don’t think you should do something just to prove to an audience that you can do it, that’s way out of your wheelhouse.”
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“I never try to pander to an audience, and I’m really not concerned with my image. I’m far more interested in stretching my abilities as an actor.”
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“I’ve learned by hanging out in Hollywood, where I disagree politically with most people, that most people’s hearts are in the right place, and the only thing we have to argue about is the way to solve the problems.”
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“I quit ‘Magnum’ to have a family. It took a long time to get off the train, but I try very hard to have balance, and this ranch has helped me do that.”
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“Hopefully, you marry someone who you not only love but who you like as well.”
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“I live a pretty simple life.”
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“I think of myself as an actor first, not a sex symbol. Do I think I’m sexy? No, that’s someone else’s judgment, and I honestly don’t think you can try to be sexy and really succeed.”
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“I think character is really important. And you know, I think the public does too.”
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“People tracking your life and photographing you anywhere you go, that can make you crazy.”
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“I think television has always been one to replicate when something’s successful. I don’t think there’s quite as much innovation.”
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“You know, there’s so much imitation and so much pandering in Hollywood.”
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“I guess after Dances With Wolves they probably tried some derivative westerns, and if they didn’t work, they said the western is dead and moved on to something else.”
