Why hasn't Tom Selleck done more big screen work?
Tom Selleck is a highly recognizable name and face in Hollywood and is well known for his roles in television and the big screen. In looking over his list of roles on IMDb I realized he is still quite active however has not had many big screen roles, especially in the past 20 years or so. Most of his leading big screen roles were in the 80s or early 90s. Out of 83 titles, only 24 of them are big screen movies while many of the others are TV movies.
So does he just prefer television roles? Does he purposely avoid the big screen or does he have a crappy agent or is he hard to work with...? Just seems like he has a big enough presence and reputation that he could be a big screen star still so I wonder why he doesn't do them.
Clarification: I am looking for any concrete quotes or interviews where Tom Selleck or someone who has worked with him has mentioned anything regarding the fact that he hasn't done more big screen work. I'm not asking for user's opinions or theories.
Best Answer
He's married and he works hard at it...
Source: People Magazine
Once focused mainly on his career-as the star of the '80s smash hit Magnum, P.I., "I worked 90 hours a week and did a movie every break"-Selleck, 67, took a big step back from the spotlight in 1988 when his wife, actress Jillie Mack, 54, gave birth to daughter Hannah. "I quit Magnum to have a family," he says. "It took a long time to get off the train, but I try very hard to have balance, and this ranch has helped me do that."
and
As part of that balance, he works only every other week taping Blue Bloods in New York City and shoots his popular annual Jesse Stone TV films... in less than a month on location in Halifax, N.S. “My first priority,” Selleck says, “is time with my family.”
“It’s important to nurture your marriage,” he says. “I think wanting time away from work has been good for that.” Selleck and Mack also attribute Hannah’s maturity to their country lifestyle. “We both thought,” says Jillie, “it was the best environment for her to grow up.”
Pictures about "Why hasn't Tom Selleck done more big screen work?"
How old was Tom Selleck when he did Magnum PI?
Tom Selleck was 35 when he got his big break. As the star of \u201cMagnum P.I.,\u201d a crime drama about a private investigator living in Hawaii, Selleck was thrust into the spotlight. Before that, the actor had starred in six other TV pilots that did not take off.Will Tom Selleck make any more westerns?
Selleck says he will never abandon the genre. "I'm already looking into doing another western, probably based on something by Louis L'Amour," he said.Why Hasn't Leatherman Done This Yet?
More answers regarding why hasn't Tom Selleck done more big screen work?
Answer 2
He tried to make the transition back in the 80's, but it never really took.
It's a weird thing. Many actors can "carry" a TV show, but it's a much smaller number that can "carry" a feature film. [Tom Hanks and Jennifer Aniston are examples of actors who started out in TV, but were able to make the transition to movies. This tends to be fairly rare, although you do see it more often with comedians, such as SNL former cast members.]
Regarding Selleck, it's probably also financial. I'm sure he could get plenty of supporting work in film, but being the lead on a TV show likely pays better.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: cottonbro, cottonbro, Ketut Subiyanto, Ketut Subiyanto