Tom began with porn

Press, 9 June 1986, Page 10

Tom began with porn

His role in “Magnum P. 1.” has brought Tom Selleck wealth and fame, but it was not always that way. Selleck recently revealed that as a struggling actor he took part in soft-porn movies. Selleck’s admission came on an American television chat show because “it was bound to come out sooner or later and it seemed better that I announce it rather than some scandal sheet getting hold of it first.”

His announcement was also prompted by the fact that he had discovered that cassettes of a movie were being marketed through video outlets with his photo boldly on the cover. He said “there’s nothing in the movies to be ashamed of,” but that he made them as “a young naive actor” and would rather forget about them. “When you are young and starting out you are pleased to get any job

and you don’t think about much else.” However, six years after he made the films Selleck landed a role in “Coma,” with Michael Douglas. That got him noticed and led to roles in several episodes of “The Rockford Files” and then the offer of the starring role in “Magnum P. 1.” Now in its sixth season, “Magnum P. 1.” looked set for the chop, having taken a battering in the United States ratings when it was scheduled against the allconquering “Cosby Show.” However, it has been given a reprieve and will begin a seventh season in August in a new time slot, which network executives believe will push it back into the top 10. “Magnum P. 1.” has also changed its New Zealand time slot and will now screen on Mondays on One at 1.30 p.m.