Tom Selleck Reflects on Choosing ‘Magnum, P.I.’

Tom Selleck almost declined the role that became a hallmark of his career. In a chat with Ted Danson on the podcast “Where Everybody Knows Your Name,” Selleck shared how a discussion with fellow actor James Garner helped him re-evaluate his perspective on “Magnum, P.I.”

“I was quite distracted when James asked me what was wrong,” Selleck related to Danson. “I explained that I had a contract with the studio. It was fulfilled, but they insisted it was still valid for ‘Magnum.’ At the time, I thought the show was terrible.”

In its initial script, penned by Glen A. Larson, Thomas Magnum was portrayed as flawless, akin to a suave action hero, which didn’t sit well with Selleck. Garner’s advice was, “You lack much leverage, but if they want you, you’ll possess more power than ever. That’s all I’ll say.” Selleck turned down the studio’s offer based on this advice, which he credits with altering his career path.

Previously, Selleck has discussed his dissatisfaction with the original character’s similarity to James Bond. He preferred a character with human weaknesses, akin to Garner’s portrayal of Jim Rockford in “The Rockford Files.” “I didn’t want to be Rockford,” Selleck recalled, “but I wanted to play someone fallible.”

There was a prolonged disagreement over the script, he said. Luckily, his success with “The Sacketts” mini-series demonstrated his ability to handle a series leading role. Selleck was later presented with options and met with writers to shape the vision for “Magnum, P.I.”

“I asked Bellisario for a character like Rockford, with flaws and heart,” he told Danson. Bellisario returned with an improved script, leading to the “Magnum” Selleck agreed to.

Selleck risked harming his career by opposing the original script so determinedly, which he mentioned in an interview with Charlie Rose in 1997. “They said I can’t do that, and I said, ‘I know I can’t, but I’m going to,'” Selleck commented. In seeking a character filled with complexity, he took a leap of faith.

To this day, Selleck refrains from referring to the show as “Magnum, P.I.”. The name was changed due to potential legal conflicts with Clint Eastwood’s “Magnum Force.” Selleck found the addition of “P.I.” unappealing, partly due to its connotation in Hawaii.

He accepted the risks involved, even acknowledging his six unsold pilots despite “The Sacketts’” success. “If it hadn’t worked, I’d have quickly returned to United Airlines,” he said. Selleck had participated in United Airlines’ management training while in college.

Looking back, Selleck reflects on the gamble he took with “Magnum” and remarks, “My father might never have said, ‘Risk is the price you pay for opportunity,’ but he lived that way, and this seemed the right moment for risk.”