Most people know Tom Selleck from his iconic roles in “Magnum P.I.” and “Blue Bloods,” but fewer know about his son Kevin. Kevin Shepard was born in 1966 to model‑actress Jacqueline Ray. He was officially adopted by actor Tom Selleck on August 7, 1987, after which he took the Selleck surname. While Kevin tried following in his father’s acting footsteps, he’s chosen a more private path.
Kevin is very tall—about 6’7″—which helped him get a few acting roles early on. Today, Kevin keeps a low profile, so people don’t know much about him.
Let’s take a closer look at Kevin’s life story, from his early days to what he’s doing now.
Actor
Kevin Selleck acted briefly as an actor in the 1990s. Though his acting credits aren’t as extensive as his father’s, Kevin gave Hollywood a try.
His height gave him an advantage when casting directors looked for tall, imposing figures. Standing at what some sources claim is around 6’7″, Kevin towered over most other actors, making him perfect for certain roles.
Kevin got a few acting jobs, likely because of his family name, but didn’t stick with it. While Tom built a long career in TV and movies, Kevin only did a few roles before calling it quits.
The pressure of following a famous parent can be tough. Many celebrity children talk about the challenges of building their own identity while having a famous dad. Kevin likely felt this pressure during his brief acting career.
Early Life
Kevin was born Kevin Shepard around 1966 to Jacqueline Ray, who later married Tom Selleck. His exact birth date remains unclear in public records, but Kevin spent his early childhood years with his mother before Tom came into the picture.
Tom Selleck married Jacqueline Ray in 1971, when Kevin was still a young boy. Though not his biological father, Tom developed a close relationship with Kevin during the marriage. After several years as Kevin’s stepfather, Tom officially adopted him in 1987, giving him the Selleck name.
Growing up with a famous dad wasn’t always easy. During the 1980s, Tom Selleck’s career soared with “Magnum P.I.,” making him a household name. This meant Kevin spent part of his childhood in the shadow of fame, dealing with a lot of attention he didn’t want.
The Selleck family values privacy, a trait that Kevin seems to have embraced fully as an adult. What we do know is that Kevin attended school in Southern California, where the family made their home.
According to Tom Selleck’s biography, Kevin Shepard served as the drummer for the American rock band Tonic in the early 1990s. Music gave Kevin a way to express himself apart from his father’s shadow.
Kevin often started creative projects but stopped before they took off.
Filmography
Kevin Selleck’s screen credits list is shorter than many actors but includes one notable entry that horror fans might recognize. Here’s what we know about his on-screen work:
- “Scream 2” (1997) – Played Bryan, a college student in this popular horror sequel.
Kevin’s acting work never expanded much beyond these projects. While his father built an impressive filmography spanning 5 decades, Kevin stepped away from acting fairly quickly.
The limited nature of his acting career suggests Kevin might have tried the profession but decided it wasn’t the right fit. Many children of actors test the waters of Hollywood only to discover they prefer life outside the spotlight.
Though his on-screen credits are few, Kevin’s brief appearance in “Scream 2” puts him in a film that grossed over $100 million worldwide. The movie remains popular among horror fans, giving Kevin a small but permanent place in pop culture history.
Meet Kevin’s Family
The Selleck family name carries weight in Hollywood thanks largely to Tom Selleck. Born in 1945, Tom rose to fame playing Thomas Magnum in “Magnum P.I.” from 1980 to 1988. He later found success in movies like “Three Men and a Baby” and currently stars in “Blue Bloods.” Tom adopted Kevin in 1987, making him officially part of the Selleck family.
Not much is known about Kevin’s real dad. His mother, Jacqueline Ray, was a model and actress who married Tom Selleck in 1971. Their marriage lasted until 1982, but Tom maintained his relationship with Kevin even after the divorce, leading to the adoption.
Kevin has two siblings in the Selleck family. His half-sister Hannah Margaret Selleck was born in December 1988 to Tom and his second wife, Jillie Mack. Hannah chose a different path from both her father and brother, becoming an accomplished equestrian rather than pursuing acting. Kevin also has a stepsister named Annabelle.
The Selleck family likes to keep things private, even though they’re famous. Tom bought a 65-acre ranch in California in 1988, buying a quiet place to live away from Hollywood’s constant attention. This love of privacy seems to have influenced Kevin’s approach to life as well.
Tom spoke briefly about his children in a 2012 interview, saying, “I’m proud of all my children. They’ve all chosen their paths.” This statement reflects the Selleck family philosophy of supporting each other while allowing everyone the freedom to make their own choices.
What We Know About Kevin
Kevin Selleck stands out in a crowd—literally. His height is reported to be around 6’7″, making him significantly taller than his father Tom, who stands at 6’4″.
Kevin is now in his mid-50s, born around 1966. He married Annabelle Selleck, and they’ve maintained a private life together. Reports suggest they have several children, though their names and exact number aren’t public knowledge, reflecting the family’s desire for privacy.
These money problems showed that even people from famous families can struggle.
His education details remain private, though he likely attended schools in Southern California, where he grew up. Unlike some celebrity children who attend high-profile private schools, Kevin’s education wasn’t widely publicized.
Kevin liked music and even played drums seriously for a while. This passion shows his creative side and suggests that artistic expression runs in the Selleck family, even if Kevin chose different outlets than his father’s acting career.
His relationship with his adoptive father appears strong, despite both men being private about family matters. Tom Selleck has occasionally mentioned being proud of his children in interviews, but keeps specific details to himself.
Where Is He Now?
Unlike his famous father, who still appears regularly on television, Kevin Selleck maintains a low public profile these days. He stepped away from both acting and his music career years ago, choosing a more private lifestyle away from cameras and microphones.
Current reports suggest Kevin lives quietly with his family in Southern California. He doesn’t maintain public social media accounts or make regular appearances at Hollywood events. This privacy makes it difficult to know exactly what Kevin’s day-to-day life looks like now.
Some people think Kevin might work in music behind the scenes, using his drumming skills more calmly. However, without confirmation from Kevin himself, these career details remain speculative.
The Selleck family continues their tradition of keeping personal matters private. Tom rarely discusses his children in interviews, focusing instead on his work. This protective approach has allowed Kevin to build a life outside the constraints of fame.
For fans curious about Kevin Selleck, the limited public information shows he did a good job of creating boundaries between his personal life and his family’s fame. While his father continues working in the spotlight, Kevin seems content with his choice to step away from public life.
What makes Kevin’s story interesting is not how much we know about him, but how little. In an age where many celebrity children seek fame through reality shows and social media, Kevin’s choice to protect his privacy stands out.
If you want to learn more about the Selleck family, Tom occasionally appears in interviews on talk shows while promoting “Blue Bloods.” Though he rarely discusses Kevin directly, these appearances offer glimpses into the family values that shaped Kevin’s life.
Kevin Selleck’s story reminds us that not everyone born into or adopted into fame wants to stay there. Sometimes, the most powerful choice a person from a famous family can make is to step back and create their own story, away from the public eye.
Kevin and Tom’s Bond
The bond between Tom and Kevin Selleck shows how family connections can survive Hollywood pressures. Tom adopted Kevin when he was around 21 years old, older than most adoption cases. This timing speaks to the genuine connection they built during Tom’s marriage to Kevin’s mother.
Tom has always been protective of his children’s privacy. In rare interviews where he mentions parenting, he emphasizes putting family first despite career demands. “I’ve always treasured the balance between work and family,” Tom once said. “It’s always about them.”
For Kevin, having Tom Selleck as an adoptive father meant growing up with certain expectations. The Selleck name opened doors but also created pressure. Kevin’s brief stint in entertainment before choosing a more private path might reflect his struggle to find his own identity separate from his famous father.
Despite their different career paths, sources close to the family say Tom and Kevin maintain a good relationship. They’ve been spotted at family gatherings over the years, though these moments rarely make it to the press.
Tom’s approach to fatherhood influenced Kevin’s parenting style. Both men keep their children out of the spotlight, creating as normal a family environment as possible despite their connection to Hollywood.
The father-son relationship between Tom and Kevin demonstrates how adoption can create lasting family bonds. Though not connected by blood, their family connection has endured for decades through Hollywood’s ups and downs.
Final Thoughts
Before trying his hand at acting, Kevin Selleck showed a serious interest in music. In the early 1990s, he joined a rock band called Tonic as their drummer. The band formed in 1993 and would later gain fame with hits like “If You Could Only See.”
Kevin’s time with Tonic was short-lived. He left the group before they released their breakthrough debut album “Lemon Parade” in 1996. This album went platinum, suggesting Kevin missed out on what could have been a successful music career.
Why Kevin left Tonic remains unclear. Some reports point to personal disagreements within the band, while others suggest Kevin wanted to try different creative paths. After leaving Tonic, Kevin didn’t join another major band, making this his main contribution to the music world.
His drumming skills showed talent that might have been developed further had he stayed with music longer. Former bandmates have said little publicly about Kevin’s departure, keeping things private.
Music offered Kevin a chance to be his person, unlike his famous father. While Tom Selleck built his name in acting, Kevin could have established himself in a different creative field had he continued with Tonic or other musical projects.
The timing of Kevin’s exit from Tonic—just before their commercial breakthrough—raises questions about his career goals. Did he sense the coming fame and decide it wasn’t what he wanted? Or were there other factors behind his decision to step away from music just as success approached?
