Tom Selleck reveals the rare occasions when he felt starstruck during his nearly six-decade career, sharing his encounters with iconic figures like Mae West and Princess Diana.
For nearly six decades, Tom Selleck has graced the silver screen and etched his name in the annals of Hollywood history. Yet, despite his fame and success, the "Magnum, P.I." star admits to being starstruck on rare occasions. In a recent interview and in his upcoming memoir, "You Never Know," Selleck opens up about these encounters, shedding light on the celebrities who left an unforgettable impression on him.
Among the iconic figures who sparked a hint of starstruck admiration in Selleck was the legendary Mae West. "I probably got a little starstruck with Mae West," he confides in Town and Country. "I didn't get starstruck with [James] Garner, even though I just deeply respected his work, loved his work."
Selleck attributes his lack of starstruck awe with exceptional actors to their ability to break through the barrier of celebrity and connect on a genuine level. "Not too often," he adds. "The really good people — good actors — have a way of cutting through that pretty quick. I've gotten to meet a lot of people, and I'm always a little starstruck, but I get over it."
However, one encounter proved to be a couple of notches above the rest: dancing with Princess Diana. Selleck's meeting with the beloved princess occurred during a 1985 state dinner at the White House, where he was one of only three actors invited alongside Clint Eastwood and John Travolta.
"After dinner, everybody moved to the East Room for music and dancing," Selleck recounts in his memoir. "President Reagan and Princess Diana danced, and Charles danced with Nancy. Then John Travolta and the princess started dancing,"
As the evening progressed, Selleck found himself approached by a woman with a pressing request: "Mr. Travolta and the princess are dancing for a second time together. We can't have that. We don't want to start rumors, do we?"
Despite his initial reluctance, Selleck eventually agreed to step in and replace Travolta as Diana's dance partner. "I'm not cutting in on John Travolta!" was my reply, probably in too loud a voice," he writes. "She was not happy. 'Very well. The next dance, come with me.'"
Selleck admits to apologizing to Diana for his lack of dancing skills, explaining that he had skipped cotillion as a youth. "Look, I skipped cotillion," he said. "There was something called cotillion as kids; they taught you how to dance and manners and everything else."
Despite his lack of formal training, Selleck and Diana engaged in a memorable conversation, with the princess exhibiting her grace and ability to connect with people. "She was very gracious and obviously had learned the skill of dealing with people and relaxing," Selleck recalls. "It was certainly memorable."
Selleck's encounter with Princess Diana serves as a testament to the power of connection and the ability to transcend the boundaries of fame and celebrity. His experiences with these iconic figures offer a glimpse into the rare moments when the human side of stardom shines through, leaving an enduring impression on even the most seasoned of actors.
