Tom Selleck, the Hollywood legend known for his role in Magnum PI, recently opened up about his career during a talk at 92NY. The hit CBS drama, which ran from 1980 to 1988, catapulted Selleck to fame as the private investigator. Interestingly, he revealed that he has always refused to say the show’s full title. Despite turning down the role of Indiana Jones, Selleck went on to star in other successful projects such as Three Men and a Baby, Friends, and Blue Bloods, which is now coming to an end after more than a decade on television.
During the conversation moderated by Bridget Moynahan, Selleck shared how he initially turned down Magnum PI but was convinced by co-creator Don Bellisario. Selleck expressed his desire to portray a character similar to Rockford, flawed yet intriguing. Bellisario understood his vision and presented him with an exceptional two-hour movie script. Eventually, Magnum PI received the green light, and Selleck took on the lead role while Bellisario and co-creator Glen Larson worked on the script and production.
However, just before the show premiered, Selleck was informed that the TV bosses had decided to slightly tweak the title, which made him uncomfortable. He revealed that the studio wanted to change it to Magnum PI, a title he considered horrible. The reason behind this change was the fear of potential legal issues with Clint Eastwood’s movie, Magnum Force. Interestingly, Selleck pointed out that in Hawaii, where the show was set, PI is a slang term with a less than flattering connotation for a Philippine Islander. Despite the official listing as Magnum PI, Selleck never actually uttered the full name, standing his ground on his personal preference.
Tom Selleck, the iconic star of Magnum PI, has spoken out about his refusal to change the way he refers to the hit show. In an interview, Selleck stated, “I never call it Magnum PI – and if you want to change the way you call that show, I’d be very, very happy.” The actor, who portrayed Thomas Magnum for eight seasons, believes his record is spotless and encourages others to follow suit.
In addition to his role in Magnum PI, Selleck delighted audiences with his portrayal of Monica Geller’s former partner, Richard Burke, in Friends. He also starred as Frank Reagan in Blue Bloods for over a decade. Sadly, the long-running police procedural drama has been axed after 14 years. The show’s official Twitter account confirmed the news in November, leaving fans heartbroken.
In a heartfelt statement addressing the cancellation, Selleck expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to work on the show. He said, “For the past 13 years, it has been an honor and a privilege to work on a show that not only celebrates the men and women who protect and serve in New York City, but also displayed the importance of family.” Selleck thanked CBS Studios and CBS Network for their support and expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the fans who gathered with them every Friday night.
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