Len Cariou is best known for playing Henry Reagan in Blue Bloods, but one of his biggest roles came in the 1980s with his part being taken over in a Netflix remake earlier this month. Blue Bloods’ star Len Cariou, known for his role as Henry Reagan, looks unrecognizable in a popular 1980s film that has recently been remade for Netflix. Cariou is best known these days for his role as retired New York police commissioner and Frank Reagan’s father, Henry Reagan, on the CBS drama Blue Bloods. However, this has been far from the only project he has been involved in with Cariou also featuring in When They See Us, About Schmidt, Lady in White, Murder She Wrote, Brotherhood, and Law and Order.
One of his most notable roles was in the 1981 romantic-comedy The Four Seasons, which centers around a group of married friends. This film was recently transformed into a Netflix series by Mean Girls’ Tina Fey, Lang Fisher, and Tracey Wigfield, with all eight episodes released earlier this month. In the original The Four Seasons, Cariou played Nick Callen, a character who triggers the plot when he experiences a midlife crisis, causing the rest of the friend group to reevaluate their own relationships. Now 85, the Blue Bloods actor was in his mid-40s when he starred in the rom-com, sporting dark to greying hair and a slimmer physique. In the 2025 Netflix adaptation, Cariou’s character Nick is portrayed by renowned actor and comedian Steve Carell.
Carell is perhaps best known for his role as Michael Scott in The Office US, but he has also starred in Crazy Stupid Love, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, and provided the voice for Gru in the Despicable Me franchise.
Carell teams up with Tina Fey, the creator of The Four Seasons, as Kate Burroughs, a role originally played by Carol Burnett from Annie and Better Call Saul fame Joining them is Saturday Night Live alum Will Forte stepping into the shoes of Jack Burroughs, a character once portrayed by MASH legend Alan Alda, and Fear The Walking Dead’s Coleman Domingo takes on the role of Danny Zimmer, previously brought to life by The Ritz actor Jack Weston. Despite no new projects listed on his IMDb page as Blue Bloods wraps up, co-star Abigail Hawk shared that Len Cariou isn’t looking to retire just yet.
Speaking to Us Weekly, she said: “He’s 85 years young. One of the coolest things about our show, aside from like the family dinners and aside from [the fact that] obviously these people are beloved, is that we show that age is really just a number.”
Introduction – From Classic Cop to 80s Icon
If you know Blue Bloods, then you know Henry Reagan—the wise, no-nonsense former Police Commissioner with a heart of gold. But did you know that the man behind the character, Tom Selleck, looked completely different in a legendary 1980s role? We’re talking about a look so iconic it practically defined the decade.
Let’s rewind the tape and see how the clean-cut, grandfatherly figure we know today once rocked Hawaiian shirts, a bushy mustache, and the ultimate 80s swagger.
Tom Selleck – More Than Just Henry Reagan
The Actor Behind the Badge
Tom Selleck has played many roles, but Henry Reagan is one of his most beloved. As the family’s elder statesman on Blue Bloods, he brings depth, honor, and old-school grit to every scene. But his journey to this role wasn’t overnight.
His Breakout Moment Wasn’t on Blue Bloods
Before Blue Bloods, Selleck was a household name thanks to another TV hit that took the 80s by storm. Yep, we’re talking about Magnum, P.I.
Magnum, P.I. – The Role That Changed Everything
A Totally Different Look
Picture this: short shorts, floral shirts, a red Ferrari, and that legendary mustache. Tom Selleck as Thomas Magnum was the ultimate cool guy of the 1980s. Fans couldn’t get enough of the sun-soaked action, island vibes, and that sly charm he pulled off so effortlessly.
Premiering in 1980, Becoming an Icon
Magnum, P.I. aired from 1980 to 1988 and skyrocketed Selleck to fame. His look? Instantly recognizable. His character? A sharp, beach-loving private investigator with a knack for solving crimes and stealing hearts.
Comparing Henry Reagan to Thomas Magnum
Style Evolution Through the Decades
Let’s just say—Henry Reagan wouldn’t be caught dead in a Hawaiian shirt. As the retired NYPD Police Commissioner, Henry is all about structure, tradition, and tailored suits. But Magnum? He was all about laid-back fashion and fast cars.
Maturity and Wisdom vs. Youth and Swagger
While both characters represent justice, they do it in radically different ways. Reagan uses experience and moral guidance; Magnum used gut instinct and street smarts. Watching Selleck switch from one to the other is like watching a fine wine age perfectly.
The Physical Transformation – From Tanned Detective to Patriarch
The Mustache That Never Left
One thing that did stick around? The mustache. While it’s a bit more refined on Blue Bloods, it’s a signature Selleck look that fans still love decades later.
From Muscles to Maturity
In Magnum, P.I., Selleck was fit, lean, and beach-ready. These days, he’s embraced the graceful aging process, portraying a wiser, more grounded character. And fans? They’ve aged right along with him.
Why Fans Still Love Both Versions
Nostalgia and Respect
80s kids remember Magnum as their TV hero, and Blue Bloods brought Selleck back for a whole new generation. Whether you’re watching reruns of Magnum or catching new episodes of Blue Bloods, one thing’s for sure: Tom Selleck is timeless.
He Represents Two Eras of Television
In the 80s, he embodied charm, fun, and independence. In today’s world, he reflects authority, family, and legacy. Few actors manage that kind of range, and even fewer do it so naturally.
The Impact of Magnum, P.I. on Selleck’s Career
Why It Was a Game-Changer
Before Magnum, Selleck had bounced around guest roles and commercials. But this series catapulted him to stardom. He even turned down the role of Indiana Jones (yeah, that Indiana Jones) because of scheduling conflicts with Magnum. That’s how big it was.
Awards and Recognition
His work on Magnum, P.I. earned him an Emmy Award in 1984 and cemented his place in TV history. That red Ferrari? It practically became a character in itself.
Other Surprising 80s Roles You Might’ve Missed
Three Men and a Baby (1987)
This comedy hit gave us a whole new side of Selleck. He wasn’t just an action star—he could do heartwarming comedy too.
Lassiter (1984)
A stylish crime thriller set in pre-WWII London, Lassiter proved Selleck could handle a variety of genres with ease.
How Selleck Prepared for Blue Bloods
Tapping Into Real-Life Law Enforcement
To make Henry Reagan believable, Selleck worked with real NYPD officers, studied leadership dynamics, and brought decades of life experience to the role.
Carrying the Reagan Family Legacy
On Blue Bloods, he’s not just a former cop—he’s the glue holding the Reagan family together. His portrayal resonates with viewers who value family, duty, and loyalty.
The Internet Reacts to His 80s Look
Social Media Can’t Get Enough
When clips or stills of Magnum resurface online, fans lose their minds. Twitter and TikTok are full of “then vs. now” posts comparing Magnum’s carefree vibe to Henry Reagan’s gravitas.
Why the Transformation Blows People Away
Many younger fans had no idea Tom Selleck had such a different past look—and once they see it? They’re hooked. It’s like discovering your dad was once a rockstar.
Where You Can Watch Magnum, P.I. Today
Want to see Selleck in his 80s glory?
-
Streaming Services: Available on Amazon Prime Video, Peacock, and Paramount+
-
DVD Box Sets: Perfect for collectors
-
YouTube Clips: Great for a quick nostalgia trip
Conclusion – From Magnum to Reagan, Tom Selleck Still Reigns
From the sun-drenched shores of Hawaii to the family dinners of New York City, Tom Selleck’s evolution is nothing short of legendary. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just discovering his early work, one thing’s clear—Henry Reagan may be the face of wisdom today, but Thomas Magnum will always be the face of cool.
So the next time you watch Blue Bloods, just picture that same calm, commanding presence… tearing down the road in a Ferrari, rocking a mustache, and solving crimes in paradise. That’s range.
