TOM SELLECK rose to prominence in the 1980s as private investigator Thomas Magnum in Magnum P.I., and he has since had a hugely successful career, most recently as New York City Police Commissioner Frank Reagan in the series Blue Bloods. However, after rumors circulated that the aging actor was suffering from a “incurable disease,” fans became concerned for his well-being.
Fans were relieved to learn that Selleck was in good health while reprising his role in the American police procedural drama Blue Bloods. While the 76-year-old actor was filming the CBS series, it was revealed that a stunt double was used to assist with some scenes because Selleck was unable to keep up. “Macho Tom is collapsing in front of our eyes,” an unnamed insider said.
Rumours and gossip persisted about Selleck possibly retiring and leaving the popular police drama behind for good.
OK! According to reports, the star has grown “tired of the Hollywood grind,” preferring retirement as he struggles with breathing and maintaining “stamina” on set.
According to the report, “[Selleck] is tired of the grind, and the show just takes more and more out of him with each season.”
Another report claimed that the star had been taking strong steroids to combat a long battle with arthritis, which affects his movements and joints – which could explain why some viewers noticed him walking with a slight limp.
Despite reports to the contrary, both a representative for Selleck and the man himself spoke about the future of his time on the show and completely debunked any rumors of his impending retirement.
“Tom is not retiring,” said a representative in a brief but to-the-point statement. “The end of the story.”
Whereas Selleck told People in 2020 that there is “a lot of life in the show [Blue Bloods]” as long as characters can grow and “get older.”
When asked if he would leave the show before it ended, Selleck replied, “Let me say that it’s not like you can get a new detective and bring him to the family dinner table.”
“These individuals are related. So, as long as my fellow actors wanted [me] to come back, and that was my only real criterion, I was coming back,” both of which are clear indications that his character will be around for a while.
The actor has yet to comment on his possible arthritis. Selleck made no mention of health concerns in his 2019 memoir Untitled.
The former Friends star, on the other hand, admitted that living and working on his 65-acre ranch estate “keeps [him] sane.”
Although it is safe to assume that the actor is in good health and will continue to work and appear on Blue Bloods for as long as he is able, arthritis is a serious condition that many older actors develop, putting a strain on their careers.
According to the NHS, arthritis causes pain and inflammation in the joints. The condition, which affects more than 10 million people in the UK, tends to worsen with age.
Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the two most common types of arthritis, with the former affecting nearly nine million people and the latter affecting over 400,000.
The Mayo Clinic explains the subtle distinctions between the two conditions. It claims that osteoarthritis causes the breakdown of cartilage, which is the hard, slippery tissue that covers the ends of bones.
Rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, is a disease in which the immune system att4cks the joints, beginning with the lining.
Apart from pain, the following are the most common signs and symptoms of arthritis:
- Stiffness
- Swelling
- Redness
- Weakness and muscle wasting
- Decreased range of motion
Other problems that affect the tissues and organs in an individual’s body can develop depending on the type of arthritis they have.
There is currently no cure for arthritis, but there are numerous treatments that can help slow its progression. Lifestyle changes, medication, and surgery are the most common treatments for osteoarthritis. Medication, physiotherapy, and surgery are all used to treat rheumatoid arthritis.
According to the Mayo Clinic, anti-inflammatory medications help to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Individuals are more likely to see successful results when used in conjunction with physiotherapy exercises that aim to improve range of motion and strengthen muscles.
If lifestyle and medication treatment do not appear to be effective, doctors may recommend surgery such as:
- Joint repair
- Joint replacement
- Joint fusion.