Tom Selleck Proves He’s Still Dreamy at Age 80, With Female Fans Swooning Over Him At a Packed Houston Event

Helping Keep His Buddy Barbara Bush's Legacy Alive

By Shelby Hodge // Nov 17, 2025

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Emcee Linda Lorelle chats with author/actor Tom Selleck at the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation’s Power of Literacy Luncheon. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Betty Hrncir, Sidney Faust, Maureen Higdon at the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation’s 10th Annual Power of Literacy Luncheon. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Sarahbeth & Pierce Bush at the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation’s Power of Literacy Luncheon. (Photo by Jacob Power)

Julie Baker Finck, Gail Garland Joe & Cathy Cleary at the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation’s Power of Literacy Luncheon. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Cora Sue Mach, Alice Mosing at the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation’s Power of Literacy Luncheon. (Photo by Jacob Power)

Elizabeth Stein, Ann Ayre at the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation’s Power of Literacy Luncheon. (Photo by Jacob Power)

Joe & Cathy Cleary at the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation’s Power of Literacy Luncheon. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Kirby Edmunds, Alicia Smith, Courtney Hopson at the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation’s Power of Literacy Luncheon. (Photo by Jacob Power)

Lisa Jakel, Alvin Abraham at the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation’s Power of Literacy Luncheon. (Photo by Jacob Power)

Maureen Hidgon, Tom Selleck at the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation’s Power of Literacy Luncheon. (Photo by Jacob Power)

Trish Morille, Sue Smith at the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation’s Power of Literacy Luncheon. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Denise Monteleone, Elle Francisco at the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation’s Power of Literacy Luncheon. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Nancy Strohmer, Diane Gendel, Barbara Paull at the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation’s Power of Literacy Luncheon. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Stephane Tsuru, Shawn Stephens, Kelley Lubanko at the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation’s Power of Literacy Luncheon. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Suzi & Bill Doré at the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation’s Power of Literacy Luncheon. (Photo by Jacob Power)

Tena Lundquist, Faust, Tama Lundquist at the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation’s Power of Literacy Luncheon. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Tom Selleck, Julie Baker Finck at the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation’s Power of Literacy Luncheon. (Photo by Jacob Power)

Actor, author and '80s heartthrob Tom Selleck on stage the Post Oak Hotel for the Foundation’s Power of Literacy Luncheon. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

No one fainted. No unmentionables were tossed. No catcalls made, thank you. But the sighs were clearly audible as Tom Selleck, legendary star of Magnum P.I. and Blue Bloods fame, took the stage in the Post Oak Hotel ballroom for the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation’s 10th Annual Power of Literacy Luncheon.

Betty Hrncir, Sidney Faust, and Maureen Higdon, Photo by Priscilla Dickson — Betty Hrncir, Sidney Faust, Maureen Higdon at the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation’s 10th Annual Power of Literacy Luncheon. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

Yes, still dreamy after all these years, the 80-year-old Selleck proved to be an extraordinary ordinary man as he chatted with luncheon emcee Linda Lorelle about his New York Times best-selling memoir You Never Know. With the bygone days of those fanny-hugging short shorts and Hawaiian shirts and the more recent uniformed role as the New York City police commissioner leaving an impression that hasn’t faded, Selleck has stories to tell.

Sarahbeth and Pierce Bush; Photo Credit Jacob Power — Sarahbeth & Pierce Bush at the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation’s Power of Literacy Luncheon. (Photo by Jacob Power)

“I first met Barbara Bush in Hawaii, when I was doing Magnum P.I. She hosted a small reception, and I have to say we really hit it off,” Selleck says. “So, I always felt a special connection when I would see her from time to time at various events.

“It was a pure pleasure to help carry forward her legacy at the Power of Literacy luncheon. I was honored to be a small part of it.”

Wearing a three-piece black suit with his hair, signature mustache and eyebrows all still going strong, Selleck traced his success crediting his parents for giving him the right to fail as well as to succeed, to sports (basketball) which he credited with his great work ethic, and his years of acting study that informed his talent.

Tom Selleck, Photo by Priscilla Dixon — Actor, author and ’80s heartthrob Tom Selleck on stage the Post Oak Hotel for the Foundation’s Power of Literacy Luncheon. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

He took special pride in Magnum P.I. as the first television program to show Vietnam veterans in a positive light. And further pride that his Hawaiian shirt and cap from the series have a place in the Smithsonian Institution.

“I’m not bragging,” Selleck says. “I’m just proud.”

Who could not admire the actor who responded that he hope readers would leave his book “with the impression of an honest man.”

It was a record breaking day as the Ladies Literacy Guild saw proceeds of $775,000. Key to the success of the day were luncheon chairs Betty Hrncir and Sidney Faust and guild president Maureen Higdon.

Joe and Cathy Cleary, Photo by Priscilla Dickson — Joe & Cathy Cleary at the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation’s Power of Literacy Luncheon. (Photo by Priscilla Dickson)

PC Seen: Julie Baker Finck, Sarabeth and Pierce Bush, Tony Bradfield, John Hrncir, Nancy Ames and Danny Ward, Maggie Austin, Tena and Tyson Faust, Cheryl Byington, Cathy and Joe Cleary, Amy Chronis, Sue Conway, Patricia Cornelius, Mary Hale Lovett McLean, Sue Smith, Trish Morille, Cora Sue Mach, Suzi and William Dore, and Lesha Elsenbrook.