Tom Selleck at 80: Life on the Ranch, Six Grandkids, and Why He Stepped Back from Hollywood

Tom Selleck recently celebrated his 80th birthday, and life on his California ranch remains the place where he finds balance, peace, and family. Fame first arrived when he played Thomas Magnum on Magnum P.I., a role that earned him an Emmy and turned him into a household name.

Before that success, he was married to model Jacqueline Ray for eleven years and adopted her son, Kevin. After their divorce, Selleck admitted he struggled with confidence, especially with women.

Everything changed when he met his future wife, Jillie Mack, backstage at Cats in London. Mack made the first move, inviting him out for a drink. They married in 1987 and welcomed their daughter, Hannah, whom they raised away from Hollywood.

Selleck now has six grandchildren from his son Kevin and loves having them visit the ranch. During the pand3mic he missed them deeply but stayed cautious because Blue Bloods depended on his presence.

After Magnum P.I. ended in 1988, Selleck bought his 65-acre ranch to escape the pace of Hollywood and regain his sense of self. Planting oak trees helped him slow down. Decades later, he still enjoys watching them grow.

Today he films Blue Bloods every other week in New York, then returns to the ranch to reset. The contrast keeps him grounded. While Hollywood debates his latest projects, he focuses on simple, tangible things-like his trees.

Life on the Ranch

Selleck starts his mornings early, putting on the kettle before Jillie wakes up-something he considers romantic after 36 years of marriage. Jillie loves their ranch life and cares for their five dogs as if they were people.

Their property is full of horses, orchards, avocado trees, a pond, and enough land to keep Selleck busy. He prefers ranch chores over going to the gym, saying the physical work keeps him fit and saves money on hired help.

A typical day includes feeding the horses, fixing fences, and maintaining the grounds. Even at 80, he stays active and energetic.

Selleck adores being a grandfather and hopes for even more grandkids one day. He and Jillie approve of their daughter Hannah’s boyfriend and imagine her getting married on the ranch-something they both look forward to.