Few good things have come from the musical theater production called “Cats” in recent years. However, the original production of “Cats” is actually where Tom Selleck met his wife.
Selleck is known for his breakout role in the TV series “Magnum, P.I.” He has also been in films like “Three Men and a Baby,” “Mr. Baseball,” and “Lassiter.” He’s even been a love interest on the popular show “Friends.”
As for family life, he’s been married to his wife Jillie Mack since 1987. That’s over 30 years together.
Tom Selleck and Jillie Mack
Before marrying Jillie Mack, Selleck was married to Jacqueline Ray from 1971 to 1982.
The two adopted Selleck’s first son Kevin Shepard. He would later become the drummer for the rock band, “Tonic.” He and his current wife have one daughter together, Hannah.
According to Country Music Family, Selleck and Mack met when West End was having their production of “Cats” in London. At the time, Selleck was in London to film his 1983 film, “Lassiter.”
While watching the show he had developed feelings for one of the performers. Mack was 25 at the time and she was playing the character Rumpleteazer on the show. They went out to dinner once and after Mack liked Selleck enough to move to Hawaii with him once her show was over. This is where Selleck filmed his famous show “Magnum P.I.”
As for “Cats,” Selleck saw the show more than many people. According to People, his co-stars in London were very confused as to the number of times he was going to watch the show. That is until they began seeing Mack at different events as Selleck’s girlfriend. Then it all clicked into place.
“He kept telling me how great Cats was, I thought it was good, but I couldn’t see going back a dozen times,” his co-star Jane Seymour said, according to People.
A Secret Marriage, Private Relationship
Tom Selleck and his wife have kept their married life out of the public eye for the most part. Their daughter, Hannah, has also lived her life away from Hollywood and the entertainment business. In fact, she is pursuing equestrian riding and entrepreneurship instead.
When the two tied the knot on August 7, 1987, they were persistent in starting off their marriage as privately as possible. They had a ceremony in Lake Tahoe, Nevada, and had fake names to go along with the secretive event. He was “Tom Jenkins” and she was “Suzie Mark” while planning the wedding.
In an interview on “Live with Kelly and Ryan,” Selleck talked about how he was celebrating their anniversary a few years ago. He said it was hard because he commutes from the family ranch and she stays home with the dogs and makes sure everything is running correctly. He said to honor their marriage, he went to see “Cats.”
According to People, Tom Selleck quit “Magnum P.I.” in 1988 so he could focus on family.
“I worked 90 hours a week and did a movie every break. I quit Magnum to have a family. 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. My first priority is time with my family. It’s important to nurture your marriage. I think wanting time away from work has been good for that.”
He has described his wife as bubbly and said that they really compliment each other well. Selleck said there’s a lot of “yin and yang” in their relationship.
