The Sadness I Feel Watching Tom Selleck Struggle
Our heroes are dying
I've found myself increasingly emotional as I watch the heroes of my youth pass away or face the inevitable struggles of aging.
I’m getting to a point where if I see another article published about Tom Selleck and how he’s let himself go, I’m going to lose my shit and let the writer know!
Selleck is 79 years old!
I think he’s earned the right to relax and eat bread if he wants. In fact, I’ve already let my wife know, I’m looking forward to napping and eating all the peanut butter and jelly sandwiches I want when I get that old… and probably not in that order!
Also, by the way basic media, Selleck still looks great! Sure, he doesn’t have a make-up and wardrobe team around him, but the guy is working out, and you know what, he’s no spring chicken anymore.
Still— I've found myself increasingly emotional as I watch the heroes of my youth pass away or face the inevitable struggles of aging. These figures, who once seemed invincible, have become reminders of the passage of time and the transient nature of life.
I remember watching Tom Selleck as "Magnum, P.I." … and also binging the show in its entirety about a year ago. Incredible show!
Seeing him now again all over the news lately make me sad, and I think to myself, wow, I’m going to have to post something one day soon saying goodbye to this legend… my heart breaks.
And we've said goodbye to so many others over the last few years. Remember when Robin Williams died? And very recently, we lost Bob Newhart, Shelley Duvall, Shannen Doherty, Richard Simmons, Donald Sutherland, Carl Weathers, Matthew Perry, Suzanne Somers, Bob Barker, Paul Reubens, Tina Turner, and Betty White, just to name a few. Each loss feels like a piece of our childhood fading away.
So everyone’s talking about Tom Selleck's significant weight gain…
He’s apparently reached nearly 350 pounds. When he was filming the Magnum series he was around 200 pounds. As I scour sites writing about him, I read about his noticeable gut and his difficulty moving in every one of them. They all like to mention that he’s let himself go as a reaction to the cancellation of his show "Blue Bloods" after 14 successful seasons.
Sure, at 350 it's certainly a stark contrast to the image of the fit, mustachioed detective that's etched in our memories. But we have to understand that not everyone ages with grace. Some deal with health issues when they get older, things that we never even knew about because it wasn’t plastered all over the tabloids.
I can understand if the end of "Blue Bloods" has been hard on Selleck. The legend has been working in tv and film since the early seventies.
Selleck has reportedly turned to comfort eating and continues to indulge in lavish meals, a habit, insiders say, he formed with his castmates. Friends express concern over his health, and say that his entire body appears to be deteriorating.
It's a scenario that feels all too familiar to many of us who've watched our parents or even ourselves grapple with similar issues.
This is heavy
Seeing Selleck struggle with weight gain and health issues is a heavy reminder of the human condition. As children and teenagers, we watched these larger-than-life figures with a sense of awe and admiration. They were our heroes, embodying strength, charisma, and an almost mythical invulnerability. We never imagined a time when they would grow old, gain weight, or struggle with the same health issues that ordinary people face. The idea of Indiana Jones needing a hip replacement or Ellen Ripley battling arthritis seemed far-fetched.
But as we age, so do our heroes. Watching them grapple with the challenges of aging is a humbling experience for sure. It brings a sense of vulnerability and mortality to the forefront, and it reminds me that time spares no one, not even the icons of our youth.
It's a reality that many GenXers are now coming to terms with as we see our childhood heroes get old and face health struggles.
The things we are seeing with our heroes are not just limited to physical changes. We've also had to reconcile our memories with the sometimes disappointing realities of our heroes' personal lives. The fall of Bill Cosby, once America's dad, was a particularly harsh blow to our generation. It forced us to confront the complexities of separating art from artist and reevaluate the role models we once held dear.
To be young again
To the younger readers, I offer this reflection: cherish your heroes, but remember that they too are human. One day, you will witness the same inevitable aging process in the figures you admire today. It's a natural part of life, but it's also a powerful reminder to appreciate the present and the people who inspire you.
My father always reminded me to never idolize anyone. I agree with him. The fact is, people make mistakes, and you never know when they are going to make them. I’ve seen so many of my favorite celebrities disappoint me, but I separate that from the character they’ve played on tv or in cinema.
Still, it’s hard to not feel some hurt when you are disappointed.
Watching our favorite celebrities age is a bittersweet experience, filled with nostalgic memories and a deepened understanding of life's impermanence. It teaches us to value our time and the impact of those who have shaped our lives.
Watching Tom Selleck face the trials of aging hurts, but I certainly relish his contributions to my memories and his importance to our pop culture. He is an absolute legend and I hope he content and has peace in his old age. Eat all the damn bread you want Tom!
Life’s sandwich
As GenXers, we find ourselves in a unique position - sandwiched between aging parents and growing children, while our own youth slips away. The aging of our childhood icons forces us to reflect on our own journey through time.
It's certainly a reminder to take care of ourselves, to cherish our health, and to find grace in the aging process.
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as well. What a deal!
Really nice reflection, man. They do indeed say to never meet your heroes, but I think he's earned the right not to be so hard on himself.
Still, though, it's kind of surreal.
Great read, John! Until I read your post, Selleck was forever young in my mind, always cruising in his Ferrari with those Hawaiian vibes. He'll always remain that way to me. However, I’m all for him letting it go; as James said, he’s earned it.