The Hollywood stalwart dishes about his favorite projects, his desire to do another Western and why he was afraid to spend the night at a friend’s house as a kid.

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Parade, the premium legacy entertainment and lifestyle brand, released its latest cover story, featuring an exclusive interview with Hollywood stalwart, Tom Selleck. A 50-year veteran of the industry, Selleck, 79, who just wrapped his 14^th and final season of Blue Bloods, isn’t ready to retire.

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Tom Selleck’s Candid Parade Cover Story: ‘I’m Not Sure What’s Next’ (Photo: Business Wire)

In this candid interview he contemplates what might be next (he’d love a Taylor Sheridan Western or to reunite with friend and former co-star Sam Elliott) and discusses how he fell into acting by taking a class at community college to get an “easy A.” He also covers why Friends was a standout, the emotions behind writing his memoir, his dislike of avocados (even though he grows them on his ranch) and why he didn’t like sleepovers as a kid.

The Blue Bloods series finale airs on CBS at 10 p.m. ET on Friday, Dec. 13.

Read the full interview here. Video link here. Notable quotes are below.

On what’s next after so many years of filming Blue Bloods

“I don’t know where my next job will take me. A good Western’s always on my list. I miss that. I want to sit on a horse again.”

On the possibility of working on a Taylor Sheridan project with Sam Elliott

“Sam was great [in 1883]. We go way, way back. I love him dearly. I’d love to work with Sam.”

On a favorite memory from Blue Bloods

“We were the first show that was allowed to shoot at the 9-11 memorial. That was a special privilege and an important thing for our show.”

On mementos from the Blue Bloods set

“When I started the show, I bought a watch to celebrate. But it was Frank Reagan’s watch. It was a period Rolex. I had it engraved on the back, “From Danny, Erin, Joe and Jamie” [his character’s children]. I wore that every show. I still have it.”

“Also, he was a Marine, so I bought a Marine Corps ring and had it engraved inside accurately. Those things mean something.”

On a Blue Bloods spinoff

I’m open to suggestions, because I love Frank Reagan, but nobody’s really asked. I don’t see him retiring and going off somewhere.

On his Jesse Stone TV movie series

“Everywhere I go one of the things I get asked is, ‘When can I see another Jesse Stone?’ It would be an interesting challenge because Jesse is older now. There’ve been quite a few years between shows.”

On his 10-episode arc on Friends

“It was a lovely experience, something I didn’t see coming. They didn’t have a script or anything. I was supposed to do three shows, and on the third show at the table read, somebody said, ‘Oh, that’s right, this is your last show. I wish you could come back.’ I said, ‘Well, nobody asked me.’ So that turned into 10 shows.”

On doing another comedy

“I would love to do another comedy. The right kind of comedy. Friends made people laugh and cry at times. That’s the kind of comedy I enjoy doing.”

On his favorite roles

“I have a lot of favorites for different reasons. Certainly, Three Men and a Baby was a favorite. It was the No. 1 movie in the world. I’m very proud of Quigley Down Under, which has passed the test of time and is still very, very popular. I was a little anxious to play a part that maybe John Wayne could have done better. Obviously, Magnum and Blue Bloods are among my favorites.”

On avocados… and sleepovers

“David Letterman made me eat one and I gagged. I’m not much of a vegetable guy. I was a very fussy eater as a kid. I was afraid to spend the night over at a friend’s house because I was afraid of what they’d have for dinner.”

On celebrating his 80^th birthday this January

“I’m trying not to count. I stopped celebrating birthdays a while back. I intend to keep working and not make a big deal of it.”

To read this story, or any of previous Parade cover stories, click here.

About Parade

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