Jacqueline Ray is known as Tom Selleck’s first wife. She is a former American actress and model, who gained popularity for her roles in movies such as “In Like Flint,” “Beyond the Universe,” and her appearances on CBS’s “Magnum, P.I.” However, her personal life has been marked by controversies, and she is currently serving a prison sentence for a crime she committed. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Jacqueline Ray’s life and career.
Early Life and Career
Jacqueline Ray was born on July 17th, 1952, in Burbank, California, USA. She was of Native American ethnicity, and not much is known about her early days and family background. However, she started her career as a model when she was a teenager. Her beauty and poise quickly caught the attention of many in the showbiz industry, and soon she began getting acting roles.
She got her first acting role in the movie “In Like Flint” in the mid-1960s, where she played the character Denise. After that, she appeared in an uncredited role in “The Gnome-Mobile” before appearing as a model in an episode of “Marcus Welby, M.D.” She continued her acting career in the 1980s, playing lead roles in movies such as “The Killings at Outpost Zeta” and “Beyond the Universe.” She also appeared in the popular TV series “Magnum, P.I.” in two episodes in 1981 and 1983.
Marriage to Tom Selleck
Jacqueline Ray’s marriage to Tom Selleck is what made her a household name. According to several sources, they met in 1970 and had a whirlwind romance that led to their marriage in May 1971. The couple was among the most talked-about and well-loved celebrity couples of the 1980s, and they seemed like a match made in heaven. However, their marriage did not last, and they got divorced in 1982.
During their marriage, Tom Selleck adopted Jacqueline’s son Kevin Shepard from her previous marriage. Tom loved Kevin like his own son and was the major father figure in Kevin’s life while he was growing up. Despite their divorce, Tom maintained a close relationship with Kevin.
Reasons for the Divorce
The exact reasons for Jacqueline Ray and Tom Selleck’s divorce are not known, as both parties have refused to disclose the details. However, it is speculated that Tom’s intense pressure of stardom and his lack of attention to their marriage and relationship caused it to deteriorate. Tom has since admitted that he did not handle things well during the marriage and divorce.
Life After the Divorce
After her divorce from Tom Selleck, Jacqueline Ray found love again and got married to Clarence Barry Witmer in 1992. During their marriage, she had a daughter named Umeko. However, there were unconfirmed rumors that the daughter wasn’t Clarence’s but for one of her other lovers.
In 2014, Jacqueline Ray was sentenced to eighteen years in prison after being found guilty of hiring a hitman to kill her daughter’s husband, Leon Baucham. She paid the hitman $12,000 to get rid of him because she was afraid for her daughter and grandchildren who continually endured physical abuse from him. After a police investigation, Jacqueline was found guilty of the crime, and the hitman was sentenced to twenty-nine years.
Net Worth
Jacqueline Ray’s net worth is estimated to be $5 million.
Personal Life and Controversies
Jacqueline Ray’s personal life has been marked by controversies. Her marriage to Tom Selleck was one of the most high-profile marriages in Hollywood at the time, and their divorce was a major shock to their fans. However, the biggest controversy in her life came much later.
In 2014, Jacqueline Ray was arrested and charged with hiring a hitman to kill her daughter’s husband, Leon Baucham. According to reports, Baucham had been physically abusive to Jacqueline’s daughter and grandchildren, and she felt that the only way to protect them was to get rid of him. She paid $12,000 to a hitman named Luis Barker, who eventually killed Baucham.
After a police investigation, Jacqueline Ray was arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit murder. She eventually pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to eighteen years in prison. Luis Barker, the hitman, was sentenced to twenty-nine years in prison.
The case was a shock to many of Jacqueline Ray’s fans, who couldn’t believe that someone who was once a popular actress and model could be involved in such a heinous crime. The case also brought to light the issue of domestic violence and how it can drive people to take extreme measures to protect themselves and their loved ones.
Legacy and Impact
Jacqueline Ray’s legacy in the showbiz industry is somewhat limited, as her acting career did not reach the heights that many had hoped for. However, she will always be remembered as Tom Selleck’s first wife and as the mother of Kevin Shepard, whom Tom Selleck adopted during their marriage.
Unfortunately, her legacy will also be overshadowed by the controversy surrounding her involvement in the murder-for-hire case. While her intentions may have been noble, the fact that she resorted to such extreme measures to protect her daughter and grandchildren will always be a stain on her legacy.
Conclusion
Jacqueline Ray’s life and career are a mix of success, love, and tragedy. She was a beautiful and talented actress and model, who rose to prominence in Hollywood during the 1960s and 1970s. Her marriage to Tom Selleck was one of the most high-profile marriages of the time, and their divorce was a shock to their fans.
However, the biggest controversy in her life came much later, when she was found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder. While her intentions may have been noble, the fact that she resorted to such extreme measures will always be a stain on her legacy.
Despite the controversies surrounding her, Jacqueline Ray will always be remembered as a talented actress and a loving mother. Her life is a reminder that even the most beautiful and successful people can be driven to extreme measures when it comes to protecting their loved ones.