Jacqueline Ray: All you need to know about Tom Selleck’s first wife

Early Life

Despite a google search, very little information is available about her early life, ethnicity, parents, and family, including brothers or sisters, except the following:

• Real Name: Jacqueline Mary Ray
• Date of Birth: 17th July 1952
• Place of Birth: Burbank, California
• Nationality: American
• Zodiac Sign: Cancer
• Education: High school graduation
• Nickname: Jacki Ray
• Marital Status: Married three times, currently divorced
• Most Important Relationship: Tom Selleck as his first wife and Kevin Selleck as his birth mother. 

Being among a few of her peers to successfully go to a high school and complete her graduation.

Ray developed an interest in teaching as well.

Apart from teaching, Ray knew of her stunning looks and modelling potential.

Jacqueline Ray gathered praise from her college fellows that further induced confidence to push her into the sizzling world of fashion and modelling. 

Professional Life

Jacki Ray started her career as a fashion model and received wide appreciation from the industry.

As every good model eventually starts an acting career, so did Ray.

She moved on to perform on the silver and big screens.

Modelling Career

Jacqueline Ray also decided to take her chances in the entertainment industry in the early 1960s.

To no one’s surprise, Ray gained fame within no time and proved to be a famous fashion model.

Jaqueline Ray moved on to become the front face of many fashion magazines.  

Acting Career

Jacqueline Ray’s success in the modelling industry encouraged her to try the big screens.

She got signed to different movie roles in the mid-60s.

Ray performed in films of different genres, and her acting brought her fame.

Jacqueline Ray’s Movies

We have gathered a list of her films and TV Serials in the sections mentioned below. 

In Like Flint (1967) 

Ray acted in the thriller, In Like Flint, as an important character named Denise.

In Like Flint involved national security in being under threat.

And eventually led to bust the conspiracy that helped save the nation from a big catastrophe.

Although her role in In Like Flint was not regarded as the lead role in the film, her acting was praised.

And the movie In Like Flint proved to be a commercial success. 

The Gnome-Mobile (1967) 

One of Walt Disney’s productions.

The Gnome-Mobile proved to be a kid-friendly, fantasy and mystery film that was enjoyed by a massive audience in the late 60s.

People also praised the performance of Jacki Ray as Gnome Maiden.

Frasier, the Sensuous Lion (1973)

This was the animated film of 1973 called the sensuous lion about a sensuous lion that could speak and communicate with humans.

Jacki Ray also took part in sensuous lion by dedicating her voice. 

Marcus Welby, MD (1973) 

Although this medical drama TV Series started to air in 1969.

Jacqueline Ray appeared in one of the episodes in 1973.

Her role was short and crisp but left an impact as a model on the viewers. 

The Killings at Outpost Zeta (1980) 

Jacquelin Ray appeared as herself in The Killings at Outpost Zeta that was made on the topic of a series of deaths.

Although the The Killings at Outpost Zeta could not gather many positive reviews from the critics, no one could deny the importance of the contribution Jacqueline Ray made the film, The Killings at Outpost Zeta.

Beyond the Universe (1981) 

Jacqueline Ray also played a role in a very interesting science fiction film called Beyond the Universe.

Beyond the Universe revolves around a man who escapes the prison made in space and travels back to earth to meet his family but finds that he has moved in the future and he is not visible to his own family. 

Magnum, PI. (1981-1983) 

Jacqueline Ray’s most successful television show was Magnum, PI.

She appeared in two Magnum P.I episodes and her acting got huge appreciation from around the globe.

It was on the sets of this television show, Magnum P.I, where Ray met Tom Selleck.

This eventually led to actor Tom Selleck and Jacqueline’s real-life love story that later translated into a proper marriage.

Jacqueline Ray’s son named Kevin Selleck (named after actor Tom Selleck) later appeared in this television show, Magnum P.I as well. 

Dallas (1983) 

Ray appeared in one episode of an exceptional USA television show named Dallas in the role of Marie Walker.

Her unique style of acting in Dallas gathered a huge round of applause from the audience. Dallas was also well received by critics.

Matt Houston (1983) 

Another appearance in one of the episodes of the USA television show named Matt Houston happened in 1983 when Ray was seen as acting as the character named Margot. 

The New Mike Hammer (1984) 

The audience saw Jacqueline Ray in an episode of another USA TV Series named The New Mike Hammer. In The New Mike Hammer, Ray was seen impressing the audience in the role of a doctor. 

Unfabulous (2007) 

After a huge break of 23 years, Ray shortly appeared in a USA TV Series named Unfabulous.

The TV Series followed the life of a teenager who was in love with music and used to describe every event of her life in the form of music and song.

Indeed, Ray appeared in one of its episodes as a dancer.

Although the role played by Ray in the episode of this USA TV series was short, her fans still appreciated her comeback after a long break. 

Is Jacqueline Ray Jacqueline Bisset?

This is the most common question asked because of the similar names and appearance.

No!

Jacqueline Ray Selleck is not Jacqueline Bisset.

Jacqueline Bisset is an English actress who worked in a variety of films and TV Series from 1965 to present.

While Jacqueline Ray is American actress who also worked in the mid-60s.

Also, she has discontinued work for years as an American actress and did not appear majorly in the lead roles.

On the other hand, Jacqueline Bisset mostly appeared in the lead roles and was nominated for various awards for her performance during her acting career.

What is Jacqueline Ray Net Worth?

Naturally, as Jacki Ray remained one of the demanded actresses in Hollywood, people wonder what her net worth was.

While the exact bank balance, properties, and assets of a person cannot be calculated exactly, we can have a fair guess of the net worth of Tom Selleck’s first wife.

According to careful estimates, Jacqueline Selleck’s net worth is estimated to be around US $5 million.

Consequently, this net worth includes the number of bungalows Jacqueline Selleck owns, the cars, her bank balance, and other commodities, including a divorce settlement from Tom Selleck.

Jacqueline Ray Magnum PI

The roles of Magnum (Tom Selleck) and Ms. Roebuck (Jacqueline Ray) are so powerful that the whole TV series of Magnum PI is meaningless without them.

The main character revolved around Magnum, but the impressive entry of Jacki Ray as Ms. Roebuck also meant a lot to the whole season.

In the 15th episode of the 3rd season of Magnum P.I, Ray appeared as Ms. Roebuck to catch everyone’s attention once and for all.

The name of the episode was “Birdman of Budapest,” that depicted the story of a teacher who intended to write a book on birds.

Consequently, many recognize Ray because of her appearance in Magnum PI.

It was here when the love vibes between actor Tom Selleck and Jacki Ray started to develop.

Marriages of Jacqueline Ray

Jacqueline Ray went through the crests and troughs of marital relationships.

Ray had three known marriages so far.

Indeed, her most prominent one was Tom Selleck which lasted for around 11 years.

All three marriages, including the one with Tom Selleck, have been discussed below.

Jacqueline Ray and Shepard

Jacki Ray’s first husband in the 1960s, was named Shepard. Jacqueline met him at the height of her modelling career. Her first marriage was not as rosy as it seemed.

Although this was her first marriage, little was known about Shepard, her first husband.

The couple had a son named Kevin Shepard, who was later adopted permanently by Ray’s second husband (Tom Selleck) and was renamed as Kevin Selleck forever.

Jacqueline Ray and Tom Selleck

On the sets of Magnum PI, Tom Selleck, and Jacqueline Ray fall in love.

Both loved to the extent that Tom Selleck and Jacki Ray decided to get married.

Ray became Tom Selleck’s first wife on 15th May 1971.

Nevertheless, Tom Selleck and Jacqueline Selleck were married for 11 long years.

As a married couple, Jacqueline Selleck and actor Tom Selleck remained the centre of attention for many people in the media and fashion industry.

But eventually, after 11 years of being married, Tom Selleck and Jacqueline Selleck filed a divorce to be separated on 10th August 1982.

Tom Selleck and Jacqueline Ray Selleck, however, did not disclose any reason publicly behind their divorce.

Although Kevin Selleck was originally the son of Ray, Tom Selleck took Kevin Selleck away from Jacqueline Ray Selleck following the divorce and moved to live a separate life with Kevin.

Despite the divorce, Tom Selleck gave his surname to the son he adopted from Jacki Ray.

Since then, despite his parents not being married anymore, Kevin Shepard officially became Kevin Selleck. 

Jacqueline Ray and Clarence Barry Witmer

Jacqueline married for the third time on 21st March 1992, after around 10 years of her divorce.

This time, Ray married Clarence Barry Witmer.

Together, they had a daughter, Umeko. Jacki Ray was very protective of her daughter.

Ultimately, Ray and Clarence Barry Witmer also got divorced, but Jacqueline Ray’s affection towards her daughter never faded away. 

Jacqueline Ray Children

Interestingly, Ray had two children:

1. Umeko Roberts (daughter with Clarence Barry Witmer)
2. Kevin Selleck (son named after Tom Selleck)

Kevin Selleck got his surname from Tom Selleck and went on to act along with his father.

Tom Selleck also became a singer years after their divorce.

Umeko, daughter of Clarence Barry Witmer, got married to a man named Leon Bauchum in 2008. 

Jacqueline Ray Umeko’s Relationship

While the facts unclear, it seems like Jacki Ray had great plans for her daughter’s marriage.

Clarence Barry Witmer’s daughter, Umeko, married for love.

Leon Bauchum, Umeko’s husband, belonged to the middle class and wasn’t wealthy.

He seemed to care for his wife, Umeko.

Jacqueline Ray was initially fine with her Umeko’s (whom she had with Clarence Barry Witmer) choice until things changed. 

Relationship Between Ray and Leon

The situation changed for Jacqueline Ray when she learned that her son-in-law physically abused her daughter.

As a loving mother, she wanted her daughter to divorce him.

Apparently, Leon Bauchum used to beat Umeko because he distrusted his wife’s true feelings and faithfulness.

During one of these incidents, Ray claimed she found wounds on her daughter’s face.

Ray decided to take justice into her own hands just because of her protectiveness of her daughter Umeko (whom she had with Clarence Barry Witmer).

Planning of Assassination

After unknown attempts of expecting the marriage to settle down, she decided to get rid of her daughter’s husband.

Rather than divorce, Ray opted to plan his assassination.

Maybe she thought this to be the right decision at that time, but nothing above the legal code can be termed right of course.

Later on, Jacqueline Ray justified her murder instinct as caring for her grandchildren, who she thought were unsafe with her son-in-law. 

Jacki Ray Hired a Hitman

Ray claimed that killing him was the only option left for her daughter’s peace, Jacqueline Ray decided to get Luis Barker, a hired hitman and ex-con to assassinate her son-in-law.

Jacqueline Ray gave the hired hitman around $12,000 to kill him.

None of Ray’s intentions was known to her daughter.

Otherwise, Umeko, daughter of Clarence Barry Witmer, could have stopped her from taking such an extreme step.

Jacki Ray and Leon Meeting  

Jacki Ray called Leon Bauchum to her house in Washington. Reports reveal that Leon was wary of this meeting and had a vague idea of the intentions his mother-in-law.

Consequently, Leon went to the meeting where the hitman was already waiting to kill him.

The assassination of Leon Bauchum

In July 2012, Leon Bauchum was killed by the assassin- he was tortured and then dumped outside Gig Harbor in Washington.

After killing Leon, the hitman asked for the shopping bag from Jacqueline Ray, which she provided, and they dumped the body in the heaps outside Gig Harbor.

The body of Leon was found by the locals who were walking nearby with their dogs.

A police complaint was filed, and the investigation under the charges of second-degree murder began. 

Jacqueline Ray Got 18 Years

As the police investigation started, it did not take much time to trace the killer and the perpetrator.

The court proceedings started where Jacqueline Ray plead innocent by justifying her move to be in the protection of her daughter and grandchildren.

Ray told the court that she had keep her daughter and grandchildren safe from the physical abuse of her son-in-law.

The court was not convinced by her arguments and announced an 18 year imprisonment for Ray for second-degree murder and 34 years imprisonment for the actual killer named, Luis Barker.

Umeko’s position 

Umeko (daughter of Clarence Barry Witmer) defended her mother and told the judges that whatever she did was a favourable act of justice.

She asserted that if her mother did not kill her husband, she and her children would have remained in danger.

Some people believed that the statements given by Umeko were biased to protect her.

Where is Jaqueline Ray Now?

With an 18-year sentence, Jacqueline Ray, currently 60 years of age, is still serving her sentence. The world may be lucky enough to see her again after Jacqueline Ray completes her sentence and comes out of prison.

Conclusion

Life is full of twists and turns. One moment a person is above skies of success, and another, under a deep ocean of trouble.

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Jacqueline Ray was one of the most beloved actresses in Hollywood was considered an influential person by many. All of the fame collapsed the moment she decided to take justice in her own hands. A truly cautionary tale to many.