Veteran actor Tom Selleck has long been recognized for his signature mustache, which has become a defining aspect of his look. While he has occasionally gone without it, fans online have noted that without his trademark facial hair, he appears almost “unrecognizable.”

Tom Selleck rose to fame as a household name with his breakout role in the classic drama series, “Magnum P.I.,” where he sported his now-iconic mustache. Interestingly, before taking on this career-defining role, Selleck often appeared with a clean-shaven look, a style he has revisited on a few occasions throughout his career.

Selleck’s early days in the 1960s saw him with a clean-shaven look, making him nearly unrecognizable compared to his later mustachioed image. His TV debut on “The Dating Game” came in 1965.

But it was his role as Thomas Magnum in “Magnum P.I.” in 1980 that cemented his reputation as the rugged detective with a trademark mustache. His role on the show brought him widespread recognition and even earned him an Emmy Award, solidifying his place as a television icon.

By the mid-1990s, Selleck’s mustache was still going strong as he played Dr. Richard Burke on “Friends,” a character so cool that Chandler (Matthew Perry) tried to imitate his look. However, in season three, Richard briefly reappeared without his mustache, only to return in season six with his facial hair grown back. He once joked, “Well, my nose got lonely.”

Selleck briefly went without his mustache again for his role in the 1997 comedy film “In & Out,” where he portrayed reporter Peter Malloy.

As the Hollywood star recalled once, the movie’s director, Frank Oz, was instrumental in this rare change, suggesting a trim, then a bit more, until finally asking, “Would you shave it all off?” To which Selleck simply replied, “Sure.”

The veteran actor’s signature mustache faced another close call before the debut of his 2010 CBS series, “Blue Bloods.” Considering the role of Frank Reagan, the New York City police commissioner, the TV star initially planned to go clean-shaven to fit the character.

“At the time, they had him as the New York City police chief,” Selleck explained in an interview once, clarifying that this title wouldn’t typically involve facial hair. He even offered, “Well, I don’t think they can have mustaches, so I’ll shave off my mustache.” However, when executive producer Leonard Goldberg consulted CBS, they insisted he keep it.

Looking back on his early career, Selleck admitted he often faced pressure to shave his mustache for roles, especially when starting out.

“I just got used to it,” the award-winning star recalled, adding he “used to have to shave it off for those early jobs. And then it was kind of okay.”

As the Detroit native’s mustache continued to shape his legacy, it became more than just a personal style choice — it grew into an iconic feature fans associated with his characters.

Selleck has even taken the fascination with his mustache in stride over the years. Appearing on “Live with Kelly and Mark,” in 2016, he even joined in on the fun by playing a game of “Match the Mustache” with Kelly Ripa and Jerry O’Connell, embracing the lighthearted attention his facial hair has garnered.

Selleck’s good-natured humor about his mustache continued in another memorable moment on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien.” In a playful twist, the celebrity shaved off just one side of his mustache live on air. The stunt was meant to promote two of his projects: one where he sported his famous mustache and another where he appeared without it.

Selleck’s playful relationship with his mustache didn’t end there. In a later appearance on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” he joined in a humorous skit about a mustache “in a coma,” poking fun at his iconic look. Notably, the public figure had previously appeared on the show without his mustache, but by the time he returned, it was back in full form.

Meanwhile, in another interview with “BUILD Series” in 2017, Selleck reflected on when he first realized his mustache had become notable. “I don’t know. I didn’t know it was about a mustache,” he admitted, recalling how the popularity of “Magnum P.I.” brought a lifetime of mustache questions his way.

Reflecting further, the celebrity shared, “I didn’t think of it till then…I was born without it and prepared to work without it. And I’ve done a ton of work without it.”

However, this signature look sparked a lively debate when CBS revived “Magnum P.I.” in 2018. With Jay Hernandez in the lead role, the network introduced a Magnum without the famous facial hair.

The response was immediate and intense. Fans of the original series took to Twitter, lamenting the absence of what many considered a second star of the show: Selleck’s luxuriant mustache.

Fast forward to 2023, the public figure surprised fans by debuting a new look: a full beard in place of his mustache. Nearly unrecognizable, the actor was spotted in California’s San Fernando Valley sporting a rugged, scruffy style while running errands.

A year later, in a 2024 interview, the celebrity candidly talked about the lasting fame of his mustache. Jokingly, he mentioned that while he isn’t a diva, his mustache can be, even suggesting it might have its own ambitions.

Despite the lighthearted comments, Selleck admitted he doesn’t fully understand the fascination, saying, “[…] It’s not as important to me as it seems to be to people. I don’t resent it, but there’s more to the work than a mustache.”

As the renowned actor discussed his facial hair in an interview, fans on social media had strong reactions to seeing him without it. On X, users voiced their opinions, revealing just how attached they are to his signature look.

One fan remarked, “Tom Selleck is completely unrecognizable without the mustache and I don’t think I like it.” Another agreed, “Can’t really imagine Tom Selleck without a mustache. Though he did shave it to play Eisenhower in a movie and he was unrecognizable.”

Others simply preferred Selleck’s classic look, with one user stating, “Tom Selleck looks better with a mustache than without one.” Another fan commented, “I don’t believe I’ve ever seen Tom Selleck without a mustache until now… He looks…wrong without one.” In agreement, another wrote, “Absolutely! Without the mustache, it’s not Tom Selleck. He was absolutely stunning.”

Tom Selleck’s mustache has become more than just a style choice; it’s a symbol of his enduring presence in Hollywood. Even as he embraces new looks, fans’ reactions make it clear that the mustache will always be part of his legacy.