Thomas William Selleck (born January 29 1945, in Detroit, Michigan) is a Golden Globe and Emmy Award winning American actor, screenwriter and film producer, best known for his starring role on the long-running television show Magnum P.I. He is recognizable by his 6' 4" height and trademark moustache.

Turned down the role of Richard on the TV show "Titans" (2000).

(28 April 2000) Received an honorary doctorate from Pepperdine University. He was chosen because of his outstanding character and ethic. He is a board member of the non-profit Michael Josephson Institute of Ethics and co-founder of the Character Counts Coalition. Attended the University of Southern California and in his senior year earned a basketball scholarship after walking onto the team as a junior.

Was a member of the California National Guard and was activated for the Watts riots.

Was turned down for the lead role in the TV show "Vega$" (1978), which went to Robert Urich. Selleck and Urich once co-starred in a TV pilot (that was never picked up) called Bunco (1977) (TV).

Used to be part owner of The Black Orchid restaurant with Larry Manetti and one other investor in Honolulu, HI.

One son - Kevin Selleck; one daughter - Hannah Selleck.

Studied acting at The Beverly Hills Playhouse with Milton Katselas.

Maintains a summer home in Jonesboro, Maine.

(1998) Chosen by People Magazine as one of the 50 most beautiful people in the world.

Steven Spielberg (I) wanted him to play Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), but he was still under contract for the "Magnum, P.I." (1980) TV-series.

Is a member of the National Rifle Association and sparred with 'Rosie ODonnell on _"The Rosie O'Donnell Show" (1996)_ about gun control and an ad in which he appeared which supported the N.R.A.

Member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity.

First TV appearance was as a college senior on "Dating Game, The" (1965) in 1967. Soon after, he appeared in commericials for products such as Pepsi-Cola.

Starred in 6 failed TV pilots before hitting ratings gold.

Parents: Robert & Martha Selleck.

Shaved off his trademark moustache for the 1997 film In & Out (1997). Once rarely seen without it, he has since kept it off for most of his stage and screen work.

Joined the Detroit Tigers in 1992 for spring training. He actually took an at-bat (as a pinch hitter) in a game against the Cincinnati Reds, facing Reds' pitcher Tim Layana. Selleck ended up striking out after fouling away half a dozen pitches.

During the brief run of the late night "Chevy Chase Show, The" (1993) on Fox, he guest-starred and, as a gag, asked to be presented his 1993 Worst Supporting Actor 'Razzie' award for his performance as King Ferdinand of Spain in Christopher Columbus: The Discovery (1992). When the Razzie was actually presented to him on the air, Selleck took it in stride and asked the entire studio audience to "blow me a raspberry." Selleck thus became the third person in Razzie history to voluntarily accept one of the Worst Achievements in Film statuettes.

On the Broadway show A Thousand Clowns, Tom Selleck appears without a mustache.

The decision of choosing the role of Indiana Jones vs. Magnum actually haunted him so much that he consulted his best friend on what to do. Together they came to the conclusion that honoring the contract with Universal (Magnum) was the honorable thing to do. It turned out that the shooting of the pilot for Magnum was delayed for over 6 months, which would have enabled him to complete the role as Indiana Jones. Ironically, while waiting in Hawaii for Magnum to commence, Spielberg/Lucas were in Hawaii as well to shoot scenes for Raiders Of The Lost Ark.

Was asked to star opposite Julie Andrews in Victor/Victoria (1982), but he was indecisive in making his decision, and by the time he decided he wanted the part, he was already locked into his Magnum, PI contract - the very same contract that cost him the role of Indiana Jones.

For the 8th and final season of Magnum P.I. Universal Studios gave him a bonus of $350K which he spent on lavish gifts, such as Rolex watches, Porsches, $1000 bonuses, for the entire cast and crew of Magnum P.I.

Vocally supported President Ronald Reagan (I) throughout the 1980s.

Was considered as the next President of the National Rifle Association (NRA) following the retirement of his close friend Charlton Heston in 2003.

His only biological child is Hannah, his daughter with Jillie Mack. Kevin Selleck is the son of his first wife, Jacqueline Ray, from her first marriage. Tom Selleck adopted Kevin during the marriage and has continued to treat him as a beloved son after he and Jacqueline Ray divorced.

Member of the conservative Wednesday Morning Club in Hollywood.

Magnum PI named the the number one detective series of all time by The Sleuth TV Network.

In the early Nineties Selleck shot a commercial for the conservative National Review. But in 1992 he made a $1,000 donation to the presidential bid of Democratic Senator Paul Tsongas. Five years later, New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd reported that Republicans were urging Selleck to run for the Senate in California - a story Selleck quickly shot down. His political profile has been low ever since. However, in 1999 he filmed an advertisement for the National Rifle Association. "He's not a Republican," says an actor who knows him. "He's an independent.".

Early in career appeared as a contestant on "The Dating Game".

Played competitive volleyball with the Outrigger Canoe Club and was a three-time All American selection, twice winning the over-35 division in the National Championships.

Another rare appearance without his trademark mustache was the fifth episode of Charlie's Angels (1976), season one, titled "Target: Angels.".