There is no denying that Tom Selleck was considered America’s heartthrob in the 80s. But before the handsome actor gained his status in the industry, he had been the target of rumors about his sexual orientation. So how did the gay rumor actually started?
How Tom Selleck Is Gay Rumor Started?
Tom was one of the most famous actors of the 1980s and he’s not yet ready to retire in the industry. He reached the pinnacle of his fame with his breakout role as the private investigator Thomas Magnum in the popular TV series, Magnum P.I. However throughout his acting career, he has been accused of both being homophobe and homosexual, though with little evidence to support the claims.
Unfortunately, the gay rumors started when The Globe and other tabloids printed and issued articles insinuating that Tom is gay. One particular story was published by The Globe in their 1991 edition, which drew the line in the sand on the actor’s sexual orientation in the public. They might have been motivated to think twice about his sexual identity because of his “machismo” image.
Adding fuel to the fire, a group of gay activists called Outpost tried to “out” various celebrities and public figures by plastering placards of their faces around New York. Sadly, a photo of Tom with the phrase “absolutely queer” was included in the movement.
After The Globe released the article about the published photos of the posters with a story titled, “Gay Stars Stop Traffic,” and refused to publish a retraction, Tom did not hesitate to sue them for libel and invasion of privacy. He released a statement that he was as proud of his “sexual preference as those who happen to be gay are of theirs.”
In addition to the $20 million lawsuit, the American actor sought for the damages the publication made for “shame, mortification, hurt feelings, embarrassment and humiliation, and damage to his peace of mind.” Then in 1991, they settled the lawsuit, and The Globe released an apology which read in part: “By publishing the article, the Globe did not intend to express or imply that Tom Selleck is or ever was a homosexual.”
So Is Tom Selleck Gay?
Rumors did not stop Tom from accepting the role of a gay man in the 1997 film, In & Out. The actor played a closeted TV reporter whose sexual identity was exposed by a publication years earlier. Because of that, he proved to the public that he wasn’t a homophobe at all. In an interview, he said, “Because I had sued several tabloids for falsely saying I was a gay, people were saying I was anti-gay. Playing the role ended both those rumors.”
As a matter of fact, Tom has been married twice, first to model Jacqueline Ray in 1971 and then to actress Jillie Mack from 1987 to the present day. Although the actor has chosen to live far from the limelight, he has shared a few glimpses into his marriage, and somehow, he has found his happily ever after.
Ever since Tom and Jillie tied the knot, they have both been extremely dedicated to the family they’ve built together. He shared a daughter, Hannah, with his wife. The same year his child was born, he decided to leave his show Magnum P.I., even though it was a huge success at the time. In an interview with People Magazine, he revealed he chose to quit to have a family and that he tried “very hard to have balance” in his life.