Fans love Tom Selleck’s mustache, but if the network bosses had said to shave it off, he wouldn’t have argued (it was even his idea).
Tom Selleck is regarded by many as one of the most handsome men in Hollywood, and he would not look the same without his iconic mustache. But, no one can ever accuse the veteran actor of not taking his work seriously because, in a recent interview with People, he revealed how he had considered shaving off his facial hair to make his role as Frank Reagan (a New York City Police Commissioner) in the long-running series, Blue Bloods, more authentic.
Selleck recalled the discussion he had with executives about ditching his mustache. “At the time, they had him as the New York City police chief,” he recalled. “That’s not the boss in New York, the way it’s structured. And I said, ‘Well, I don’t think they can have mustaches, so I’ll shave off my mustache.'”
Why Did Tom Selleck Want To Shave His Mustache For His Performance?
In the same interview, Tom Selleck revealed that his idea was taken seriously, and the show confirmed with the network whether it would be okay for the actor to keep his facial hair. “And [executive producer] Leonard [Goldberg] said, ‘Let me check with CBS.’ And they said no,'” the actor recalled. Although he didn’t share more about why the decision was “no,” Selleck is well-known for his facial hair, and it’s entirely possible that fewer people would recognize him without it – although it would not be the first time he had shaved for a performance.
“I just got used to it and used to have to shave it off for those early jobs,” he told the publication. “And then it was kind of okay.” The iconic mustache has been an important part of his appearance in later years, but that’s not to say producers have not tried to change it a little to suit his roles better. This includes film director Frank Oz. “[Oz] said, with the barber there, ‘Would you trim your mustache a little?'” Selleck recalled. “I said, ‘Sure.’ And then he said, ‘A little more than that.’ And then he said, ‘Well, would you shave it all off?’ I said, ‘Sure.'”
What Has Tom Selleck Said About The Importance Of His Mustache?
Tom Selleck takes his career seriously, and if a role requires him to shave, he will, even if he looks unrecognizable afterward. In Blue Bloods, he got to keep his mustache (which was the right call as the show enters Season 14 after premiering in 2010), but in 2023, when he shaved and rocked a large beard instead, he made headlines. This is because fans are not used to seeing the star look different, and he has kept the same look since the ’80s when he rose to fame with Magnum P.I.
Despite working in showbiz for decades, Selleck enjoys a quieter life when he is not on set. He and his family live on a ranch in Ventura, California. In 2020, he opened up about his lifestyle and how he prioritizes family in an interview with People. “I’m a fairly private person,” he said at the time. “And I’ve always treasured the balance between work and time with my family. It’s always about them.”
In the interview, he also admitted that living away from the spotlight and prioritizing his family had an impact on his mental health. “My relationships and my ranch keep me sane,” he explained.
