On October 27, 1911, Selig and director Francis Boggs were attacked by a mentally disturbed employee - a Japanese gardener who had been fired by Boggs - who shot both men. Selig was severely wounded and Boggs was killed.
Before entering the motion picture business, Selig worked in vaudeville, putting together traveling minstrel shows.
In 1915, Selig was a founding partner of V-L-S-E, Incorporated distribution company.
He was cremated after death and his ashes were stored in the Hall of Memory of Columbarium at the Chapel of the Pines Crematory in Los Angeles, California.
He was posthumously awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6116 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on February 8, 1960.