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Tom Selleck Appeared Briefly in 'Midway' Before Stardom

By Raquel Lekic In Woman's World
(FILE PHOTO) In this composite image a comparison has been made of actor Tom Selleck. Many of today's leading Hollywood stars began their careers in daytime serials. As the US soap opera continues to fail, one of the traditional routes for actors to transition from small screen to box office is disappearing. In the last two years the long-running series 'All My Children,' 'As The World Turns' and the 72 year old 'Guiding Light' have all been cancelled. The final air date of the 43 year old daytime drama 'One Life to Live' on January 13, 2012 will mark the end of soap production in New York City.***(LEFT IMAGE) 1974: L-R: American actors Deidre Hall, Tom Selleck and Jaime Lyn Bauer, co-stars of the daytime television dramatic series, 'The Young and the Restless,' pose together outdoors in November 1974 in Los Angeles, California. Selleck has his arms around his co-stars' waists. (Photo by Frank Edwards/Fotos International/Getty Images)***(RIGHT IMAGE) BEVERLY HILLS, CA - JULY 28: Actor Tom Selleck arrives at the CBS, Showtime and CW TCA Summer Party at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on July 28, 2010 in Beverly Hills, California (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
(FILE PHOTO) In this composite image a comparison has been made of actor Tom Selleck. Many of today's leading Hollywood stars began their careers in daytime serials. As the US soap opera continues to fail, one of the traditional routes for actors to transition from small screen to box office is disappearing. In the last two years the long-running series 'All My Children,' 'As The World Turns' and the 72 year old 'Guiding Light' have all been cancelled. The final air date of the 43 year old daytime drama 'One Life to Live' on January 13, 2012 will mark the end of soap production in New York City.***(LEFT IMAGE) 1974: L-R: American actors Deidre Hall, Tom Selleck and Jaime Lyn Bauer, co-stars of the daytime television dramatic series, 'The Young and the Restless,' pose together outdoors in November 1974 in Los Angeles, California. Selleck has his arms around his co-stars' waists. (Photo by Frank Edwards/Fotos International/Getty Images)***(RIGHT IMAGE) BEVERLY HILLS, CA - JULY 28: Actor Tom Selleck arrives at the CBS, Showtime and CW TCA Summer Party at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on July 28, 2010 in Beverly Hills, California (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) Frank Edwards Frank Edwards/Fotos International/Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Before he was Thomas Magnum, Frank Reagan or Jesse Stone, Tom Selleck was an aspiring actor with his sights set on the big screen—and in order to make it there, he had to prove he had what it takes. Tom Selleck’s early career was filled with guest roles on a variety of series, ranging from Bracken’s World to The Young and the Restless, and along the way, he made a stop on the 1976 war film Midway. In the WWII-set movie, Selleck had a minimal role where he shined without his signature ‘stache, and it’s one that fans love to look back on to see how far he’s come. Here, remembering Tom Selleck in Midway.

‘Midway’ had a star-studded cast

James Coburn, Charlton Heston, Henry Fonda, Robert Wagner, Midway, 1976Courtesy of Everett Collection
James Coburn, Charlton Heston, Henry Fonda, Robert Wagner, Midway, 1976Courtesy of Everett Collection

Though folks might not think of Midway when reflecting on their favorite war films, it’s one to remember for its cast alone. Henry Fonda took the lead as Navy Admiral Chester Nimitz, whose team discovers an attack is planned on Midway Island in the wake of the attack on Pearl Harbor. With their knowledge, they must do what they can to prevent this deadly ambush, going up against Japanese forces in a grisly battle. Starring alongside Fonda was Charlton Heston as Captain Matt Garth, with his son played by Edward Albert. Pat Morita, Robert Wagner, James Coburn and Glenn Ford also appeared in this film, but next time you catch this flick, keep your eyes peeled for a young Tom Selleck—You might miss him!

Charlton Heston, Henry Fonda, Midway, 1976Universal / Courtesy Everett Collection
Charlton Heston, Henry Fonda, Midway, 1976Universal / Courtesy Everett Collection ©Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection

Tom Selleck in ‘Midway’

Tom Selleck’s role in Midway was minimal, credited as an aide to Captain Cyril Simard, but seeing the young, pre-Magnum actor on screen sans mustache is a treat! Plus, being a veteran himself, serving in the National Guard not long before this film came out, there’s something even more special about this role.

Tom Selleck, 1974American Broadcasting Companies via Getty Images
Tom Selleck, 1974American Broadcasting Companies via Getty Images Walt Disney Television Photo Arc ABC

“I was a sergeant in the U.S. Army infantry, National Guard, Vietnam era. We’re all brothers and sisters in that sense,” the actor told Military.com. “And then I was going to be drafted, and I got into an infantry National Guard unit and did six months active duty in the middle of my time at Fox. I had my job when I came back, and then they fired me,” he revealed.

Luckily, Selleck eventually would land his role in Magnum, P.I., which would change the trajectory of his life and career, and since then, he often shines in roles where he serves and protects others—and that’s something we can get behind!

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This story was originally published June 4, 2026 at 3:30 PM.

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