TOM SELLECK, ACTOR Travel reminds us of the universality of good stories When you find yourself in another country, you realise just how different ways of life can be, but also the extent to which emotions are the same everywhere, says this famous actor A merican actor Tom Selleck has held a special place in the history of television over more than four decades. Born 1945 in Detroit, he grew up in California and originally planned to pursue a career in sports there, before his path led him to acting. He achieved worldwide fame in the 1980s as charming private detective Magnum, a role that won him an Emmy Award and made him one of the most recognisable television heroes of the period. He subsequently built a successful career in film and tel- evision, only to once again achieve great popularity in the role of New York Police Commissioner Frank Reagan in the long-running series Blue Bloods, which has been among the most watched crime dramas of the last decade. It is precisely this series that audiences around our region can watch again from the outset, because we’ll be rewatching every season on the Star Crime channel from 13 th April. It was this relaunch that prompted us to interview Selleck, who reveals – among other things – what he thinks about travel... Your career has spanned decades and taken you to many places around the world. How has travel influenced you, both as an actor and as a person?
- Travel has taught me to observe people more carefully. As an actor, that has helped me better understand the characters I play. Every place has its own energy and its own story. When I travel, I like to set aside time to talk to the locals, because those conversations hide the most interesting details. I’m often in- spired by little things – the way people greet one another or how they spend time with their family. Those are moments that somehow find their way into my acting later. When you travel today, do you still find the time to enjoy the destinations as a tourist? - I always try to experience the place I’m in. Even when I travel for work, I like to take unplanned walks. I observe the city, listen to conversations, absorb the atmosphere. I think that’s the best way to understand the culture of a place. I’m sometimes surprised by how many people around the world are familiar with my roles. Those are nice encounters that remind me how much television has connected people. Travel always restores my sense of curiosity. And curiosity is, I believe, the key to every good story. In the series Blue Bloods, you play Frank Reagan, a man who has huge responsibility as the New York police commissioner. What attracted you to this character? - He lives at the intersection between duty and family. This is a man who must make tough decisions, while at the same time remaining a father and grandfather. It was precisely that combination of strength and vulnerability that I found interest- ing. Blue Bloods isn’t just a police drama show, but a story about values. At its centre is a family that’s striving to understand the world around them. I think the audience recognises that hon- esty. This series doesn’t offer easy answers. It poses questions about morality, justice and responsibility. Police work is merely a framework to address much deeper topics. Your role in the series Magnum marked an entire era of television. How do you look back on that period today? Magnum represented an incredibly
exciting time in my life. We shot it in Ha- waii, which was a special experience in it- self. But the most important thing was that the series had a spirit of adventure. Magnum was a character who loved life and knew how to smile even in the tough- est situations. And the audience felt that joy. When I watch those episodes today, I see a lot of youthful energy. Those were the days when television had a slightly dif- ferent rhythm. And I’m glad that show has retained its place in pop culture.
Tekst / Words: Nikola Dražović Fotografije / Photography: Profimedia.rs
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