Actor Tom Selleck got his big break on the CBS cr1me drama Magnum P.I. between 1980 and 1988, and his mustache garnered as much attention as the actor himself. He co-starred in Three Men and a Baby with Ted Danson and Steve Guttenberg in 1987, during his run on the hit detective show.
Beginning in Season 2 of the hit comedy Friends, Tom was introduced to a new generation of viewers as Monica Geller’s older boyfriend, Richard Burke.
After appearing in a number of legal procedural shows, Tom’s next major lead role was on CBS’s Blue Bloods. Since 2010, Tom has portrayed Frank Reagan, the patriarch of his extended cop family and the commissioner of the New York Police Department.
Some viewers have noticed that Tom appears to walk with a limp on the series as it progresses. This, combined with rumors that Tom’s contract with the show was about to expire, had some wondering if he was suffering from health problems.
Why does Tom Selleck walk with a limp? Find out if the actor has discussed any health issues, and why he only signed a one-season contract for Blue Bloods during his last round of negotiations.
Why does Tom Selleck walk with a limp?
Many have wondered why the 75-year-old actor walks with what appears to be a limp since Season 1 of Blue Bloods debuted in 2010. While several outlets reported in 2019 that the actor’s labored stride was caused by “crippling arthritis,” the actor has never stated that he suffers from any chronic condition.
According to the National Enquirer, a “source” on the set of Blue Bloods stated that the actor did not have long to live and had kept his health issues private. According to the report, he has been dealing with a “slew of medical issues.”
However, the outlet reported in 2017 that the actor was leaving the series because he was going blind. Because he remained on the show, these reports appear to be mere rumors.
While Tom has never stated whether the limp is a choice for the character or if it is the result of an injury, he has stated how important it is for him to keep his life as private as possible. He did, however, release a memoir titled Untitled in 2019, and it does not appear that the actor addressed his health concerns.
Though many fans speculated about his apparent limp out of concern, it’s unlikely that he’ll reveal anything about the difference in his walk on Blue Bloods compared to previous acting roles.
Another circulating rumor about the actor is that he may be leaving Blue Bloods after signing a contract that only runs through Season 10 in 2020.
Is Tom Selleck departing from ‘Blue Bloods’?
Following Season 9’s conclusion in the spring of 2019, it was announced that the show’s main stars, aka the Reagan family, would all return for Season 10.
To stay on for Season 10, Tom Selleck had to sign a new contract. Surprisingly, he only agreed to stay for one more season.
At the time, fans wondered if the actor would leave the series for new opportunities or a possible retirement. He debunked those theories, however, when he revealed that he had only been offered a one-year contract.
In 2019, the actor spoke with Deadline about his contract negotiations.
“Let me state unequivocally that they did not offer me a two-year contract, and I have no idea why. Because that’s what they were offering, I signed up for a year. “I love the show,” he said before joking, “but don’t tell CBS because I’m a good negotiator.””
When asked if he would leave the show before it concluded, Tom stated that he would not do so.
“It’s not like you can hire a new detective and bring him to the family dinner table,” he explained. “These individuals are related. So, as long as my co-stars wanted [me] to return, and that was my only real criterion, I was returning.”
The show has yet to be renewed for Season 11, but it continues to draw a sizable audience of 11 to 13 million viewers per episode. It is one of the top ten most watched television dramas.
With these ratings and the show’s longevity, it’s unlikely that the show will be canceled without a proper send-off or final season.
For the time being, Tom Selleck and his mustache don’t appear to be going anywhere.