Len Cariou Isn't Hanging Up His Acting Hat After 'Blue Bloods'

After 14 seasons, the iconic show Blue Bloods is coming to an end, but don't think for a second that the show's stars, including Len Cariou, are ready to call it quits on acting. These guys are just getting started.

Take it from Abigail Hawk, who recently opened up about Len during an interview with Us Weekly. “He’s not ready to retire. He’s 85 years young,” she said. “And one of the coolest things about our show—aside from the family dinners and the fact that these characters are beloved—is that we show age is really just a number. It’s all about the heart and passion you bring to the work.”

A Legacy of Greatness

Len Cariou, the legendary actor who has played Henry Reagan since the very first season of Blue Bloods back in 2010, hasn’t always been on TV. Before he stepped into the shoes of the wise and beloved patriarch, Len carved out a remarkable career on stage. Multiple Tony Award nominations and critical acclaim? That’s just a taste of what this guy has achieved over the years.

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Abigail Hawk, who plays Erin Reagan on the show, shared that not everyone on set was thrilled about CBS canceling Blue Bloods. “None of us wanted the show to end,” she revealed. “Every single one of us, regardless of the rumors flying around, was ready, willing, and able to keep the show alive. Most especially Tom [Selleck] and Len.”

Len and Tom: A Friendship Forged in Reagan Family Dinners

Len, who is 85, may be only six years older than Tom Selleck in real life, but on screen, he’s portrayed Tom’s dad for over a decade. And let’s be honest, Henry Reagan has been more than just a character—he’s been the heart and soul of the show. Whether it’s offering sage advice, cracking jokes, or providing comfort during tough times, Len’s performance has resonated deeply with fans.

Len himself admits that the camaraderie among the cast is something truly special. “We all get along terribly well,” he told Observer in April. “And that doesn’t happen every time you’re on a set. It’s rare, but when it does, it’s magical.”

Over the years, Len and Tom have developed a close friendship, which is evident in every scene they share. “Tom has been doing this all his life, and he’s a master at it,” Len said. “It’s a real pleasure to work alongside him. You can learn so much just by watching him in action.”

Saying Goodbye Isn’t Easy

For Len, saying goodbye to Henry Reagan, a character that has become such a big part of his life, hasn’t been easy. “It was pretty emotional,” he told TV Insider about filming the last family dinner scene. “It wasn’t the last thing we did, but being in that room together was special. It was a tough day for all of us. Not everyone on the show was there when we filmed that scene, so there’s this fragment of it that makes it even harder.”

“But here’s the thing,” Len added. “The very first scene we filmed when we made the pilot was the dinner scene. The first thing we put on film was that scene back in Episode 101. So, it was pretty emotional. We talked a bit about that because there were a couple of cast changes when the show finally launched. It was a moment of reflection for all of us.”

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Like Len, Tom Selleck is also looking forward to continuing his acting career post-Blue Bloods. The Magnum, P.I. star hinted at possibly making another Jesse Stone movie. “It looks like now I might have to write [a script for another movie],” Tom told TV Insider on October 3. “It wouldn’t be a final one because everybody loves it. Jesse is a great character, and it would be fascinating to find out where he is quite a few years later. But I need to regroup; I don’t know what’s next, but assuming the phone doesn’t stop ringing, I’m going to keep working.”