Tom Selleck has been one of Hollywood’s most successful actors for decades, yet he chooses to spend his time with his family on his ranch in Ventura, California, rather than in the spotlight.
It’s not always easy to stay humble and avoid letting fame get to your head, especially when everyone keeps telling you how great you are. Fortunately, Tom Selleck has never been obsessed with fame.
Selleck and his wife of over 30 years have lived on a ranch in California for over three decades. Even though life as a rancher was not always easy, the actor once stated that it kept him sane.
THE WAY TO SUCCESS
Born in Detroit in January 1945, Selleck began his career in the late 1960s with minor roles in TV shows and films. His big break came with Magnum, P.I., where he starred as investigator Thomas Magnum for eight years, winning a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor.
Following Magnum, P.I., Selleck appeared in The Closer and Friends, and is now a main star of Blue Bloods, where he’s been part of the cast for 12 seasons.
Selleck’s career is impressive, but he’s always prioritized balancing work and family. This focus led him to leave Magnum, P.I. in 1987. Despite Mack giving up her career to support him, she has no regrets.
Though at the peak of his fame, Selleck has often shunned the limelight, expressing that he never fully grasped the reality of being a public figure until he experienced it firsthand.
RELOCATING TO THE RANCH
Selleck revealed that he left Magnum, P.I. not out of dissatisfaction with the show, but because he felt it limited his life to one dimension. He longed for a richer, more varied existence.
In 1987, shortly after leaving the show, Selleck married Jillie Joan Mack, his second and current wife. He’s often praised Mack’s “joie de vivre” and “effervescent quality” that could light up any room.
The following year, Selleck and Mack bought Dean Martin’s former ranch in Ventura, California. The property, including a horse ranch, features over 1,500 native trees.
When Selleck needs to be in New York for Blue Bloods, Mack manages the ranch. He’s noted that they balance each other well, with a lot of “yin and yang” between them. Mack, who left her career to support Selleck, has no regrets. According to friends, she’s found joy in her ranch life, deeply connected to her animals and the land.
RESTORING HIS SOUL
Mack isn’t the only one who loves the ranch. Before buying the property, Selleck sought to escape Hollywood and reclaim his anonymity to recharge. After scaling back his career, he found many roles unappealing, leading to concerns about his career’s direction.
During the drought, Selleck and Mack faced a lawsuit for siphoning water from a construction-site hydrant. Despite the negative press about his career, Selleck found clarity during this “big lull.” He now values his family and ranch for keeping him grounded.
Selleck shared, “I left Magnum to start a family. It took a long time to get off the train, but I strive for balance, and this ranch has assisted me in that endeavor.”
Married to Mack for 34 years and with their daughter Hannah born in 1988, Selleck believes the ranch has been the ideal place for their family. He emphasized that prioritizing family time and nurturing his marriage have been crucial to their relationship.
LIFE OF A RANCHER
While Selleck and Mack’s ranch strengthened their romance, maintaining the 63-acre property hasn’t been easy. Selleck personally handles tasks like road repairs and clearing bushes.
His avocado plants suffered from California’s drought, and despite claiming in 2007 that they sold “like hotcakes,” he later admitted making a living from them was tough.
In 2015, Selleck and Mack were sued for taking water from a hydrant meant for a construction site during the drought. He ignored cease-and-desist orders, ultimately paying $21,000 for a private investigation and damages, and was barred from taking more water from the district.
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