Tom Selleck Reveals Why He Left the Spotlight After Eight-Year-Long Stint on ‘Magnum, P.I.’

Being Magnum wasn't always easy for Tom Selleck.

The famed actor starred on the hit series Magnum, P.I. from 1980 until 1988 — and by the end, he was simply exhausted from the role.

"Magnum, P.I. went to 163 shows," the star told Closer Weekly in an exclusive new interview. "We still had ground to cover, and I wasn't tired of it. I was tired from it because I was in every shot."

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Tom on Magnum, P.I.

Shortly after the show went off the air, Tom made a big lifestyle change and decided to move to a ranch 50 miles outside of Hollywood to escape showbiz.

"This ranch is a great counterpoint to the acting business," he revealed to Closer. "You do [a] piece of film, and everybody argues whether it is good or bad. You dig a whole and plant an oak tree… it's real. It's there and you can watch it grow. It's a lot different than being famous, and it keeps me sane."

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Today, he's learned to equally balance both his career and his life on the ranch with his wife, Jillie, who he married in 1987.

"I work this ranch every day," he confessed. "I do the grunt jobs because it saves me money. And it's good for my head."

Tom and Jillie in 1987.

A friend of Tom's reveals to Closer, "He gets up early, eats breakfast, and goes right to work. He spends his morning fixing fences, feeding the horses and other animals, and clearing brush and tumbleweeds from the property. He doesn't work out because he hates it and considers his daily chores his workout."

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However, Tom noted that his current gig on Blue Bloods is much different than his previous roles. "Blue Bloods is a different deal [from Magnum, P.I.]. I don't work every day." We're so glad to see the TV icon really enjoying life at age 72!

For the full interview with Tom, pick up the latest issue of Closer Weekly on stands now!

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Click through the gallery below to see the cast of Magnum, P.I. then and now!