When we read about our favorite celebrities, we normally find out details about their other professional activities or their love life. There are many A-listers though who, before building their huge net worth, had to serve in the US Army. Some did it to make some money in times when they struggled financially, while others wore the Army's uniform to serve their country in times of war. Luckily, most of your favorite stars returned home safe and sound, and they were able to tell their story. Most of them loved the military, and some found themselves carrying a rifle out of nowhere! Are you ready?

Gene Hackman - US Marines

While many famous actors take pride in their time as soldiers, Gene Hackman wasn't too happy about joining the US Marines in 1946. His father had left the house and his mother battled with alcohol abuse. Hackman needed to leave home, so he lied about his age to become a Marine. In 1947, he was sent to China, where he mostly served as a radio operator. He was later sent to Hawaii, but as he claimed, he got demoted three times, as he had issues compromising with authority and discipline.

Owen Wilson - New Mexico Military Institute

Our beloved funny guy, Owen Wilson, once joined the New Mexico Military Institute. It’s kind of hard to believe, right? Imagining Wilson in a military uniform seems a bit hilarious, as this man is a moving accident! He probably had the same opinion, and he never completed his studies, nor did he continue his military training. After leaving the military institute, the renowned actor attended the University of Texas, where he studied Arts. Really Wilson, what were you thinking exactly? You were born for comedy! Well, maybe he just wanted to have a taste.

 

Clint Eastwood - U.S. Army

Clint Eastwood has been a household name in the Hollywood scene for about five decades already. Back in 1951, he initially tried to pursue his studies at Seattle University but he ended up joining the U.S. Army instead. This was the time the Korean War was happening but Eastwood was not really on the battlefield since he was actually just working as a lifeguard. Eastwood will be starring in an upcoming movie entitled, The Mule.

James Garner - US Infantry

In case you didn't know, James Garner was an acclaimed US Veteran. He joined the US Merchant Marine in 1944, in order to make some money. However, he later found out that he suffered from severe seasickness, something that didn't help much. Thus, he then enlisted in the California Army National Guard, before joining the 5th Regimental Combat team as a rifleman. Garner then spent 14 months in Korea, during the Korean War. He was wounded two times, but he fortunately survived. He was awarded many medals even though he never got to become a sailor.

Yogi Berra - US Navy

Yogi Berra's time in the Army was marked with greatness, as the Yankees player took part in the infamous D-Day. Serving in the US Navy, Berra was aboard the USS Bayfield, a support boat where he was a gunner's mate during the landing at Omaha Beach. As he claimed, he had also been deployed at Utah Beach as well. Luckily, he returned to the US and his family, though he required to visit a treatment center due to being wounded on the battlefield. He was awarded a Purple Heart, among other medals.

Montel Williams - US Marines

The Montel Williams Show Star himself joined the US Marines in 1974, after his high school graduation. He went through a lot of training and exercise, and he eventually became the first African American to complete his training both in the Naval Academy Prep School and in Annapolis. He left the Marines in the late '90s, on a Lieutenant Commander rank, after having also served inside submarines. He then worked as a counselor for young troops and their families, encouraging them, and helping them build their morale. A true hero!

Pat Sajak - U.S. Army

A lot of you would recognize Pat Sajak for being the longtime host of the hit game show, Wheel of Fortune. However, back in the late 1960s, he had worked in the U.S. Army as the Armed Forces Radio's disk jockey during the Vietnam War. After leaving the Army, he continued earning money through his work as a disk jockey for different radio stations. It seems that his experience from the army has definitely paid off and he was on his way becoming a star already. His biggest gig came, though, when he gave game show-hosting a try.

Clifton James - U.S. Army

Clifton James was an actor who rose to fame back in the 1970s, thanks to the roles he had on Live and Let Die, The Man With The Golden Gun, and The Bad News Bears in Breaking Training. James had a very exciting time when he was a part of the U.S. Army because he was a well-decorated infantry platoon sergeant during the Second World War. Complications due to diabetes became the cause of his death back in 2017. He was married twice and was a father of six children.

Josephine Baker - French Resistance

French-American entertainer Josephine Baker was one of the women who served her country for the greater good. Quite modern for her times, Baker had it in her! During World War II, Baker was known for being a part of the French Resistance as a secret agent. The French military even awarded her the Croix de Guerre once the war was done. After all, she must have really put her life at risk many an occasion! She was 68 years old when she passed away at the Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital back in 1975 due to a cerebral hemorrhage.

Ernest Hemingway - Red Cross

When it comes to books like The Old Man and the Sea, The Sun Also Rises, and For Whom The Bell Tolls, we have Ernest Hemingway to thank for all of that. He was able to witness different things during World War I and this actually became the inspiration for his literature. He was a part of the Italian Red Cross as an ambulance driver. There was also a point where he operated a mobile canteen that served chocolates and cigarettes for the soldiers. Being in the war is tough, but had Hemingway not been there the world would have never be graced with his work!

Oliver Stone - U.S. Army

Oliver Stone is most known for being the filmmaker and writer behind movies like Platoon, Scarface, and Midnight Express. The Vietnam War was the main focus of his movie Platoon and the story was written so well because Stone had actually served during the Vietnam War. Well, now it all makes sense! He joined the U.S. Army in 1967 and went on combat duty. He reaped a number of awards throughout his entire military career. He is not yet entering showbiz retirement and is reportedly coming out with acting projects.

Sidney Poitier - U.S. Army

Sidney Poitier takes credit for being the first ever Bahamian-American actor to bag the Best Actor Award at the Academy and Golden Globe Awards. This was because of his superb performance in the movie, Lilies of the Field. He had so many financial problems when he was younger and when he joined the U.S. Army during the Second World War, he even had to lie about how old he really was. Although, he only worked as an attendant for the mental hospital.Well, you can be useful even if you are not on the battlefield!

Henry Kissinger - U.S. Army

Henry Kissinger used to be the National Security Adviser and Secretary of State in the United States. Back in the late 1930s, Kissinger escaped the Nazi Persecution after his family left Germany and went to London. They eventually settled down in Manhattan and this is where he managed to get drafted into the U.S. Army when he was 20 years old. With everything that he has done for the country, we're sure he was offered the best of the best. In 1974, he married Nancy Maginnes, a woman well-known for her involvement in various charity organizations.

Alec Guinness - Royal Navy

Star Wars actor Alec Guinness was a popular actor from the 1940s until the 1990s. During World War II, Guinness served in the Royal Navy. He started out as a seaman but got promoted to sub-lieutenant and eventually, lieutenant. He was already very much into acting during the war and he even asked for a temporary leave so that he could appear in the play, Flare Path. Of course, most of us will always remember him as Ben Obi-Wan Kenobi. Sadly, Guinness passed away in 2000 due to liver cancer.

Arnold Schwarzenegger - Austrian Army

Arnold Schwarzenegger has embarked on a number of dangerous ventures in life and we guess his risky investments must have paid off quite well for he has a world-known name already because of most of them. Aside from weightlifting, politics, and being an actor, Arnold can also proudly say that he had experience in the military, too. He was a member of the Austrian Army for a year because there was a rule in Austria that required guys who were 18 years old to join the Army back in his time.

Kris Kristofferson - U.S. Army

Kris Kristofferson became a notable name in the music industry in the 1970s. He is well-remembered for his songs like Me and Bobby McGee, Help Me Make It Through the Night, and Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down. Because his family really wanted it for him, Kris joined the U.S. Army. He worked hard and eventually took on the role of a captain. During the time that he wasn't successful in music yet, he struggled to pay for his son's medical bills and we're sure the time he spent in the army must have been an adequate investment for him and his son.

Sean Connery - British Royal Navy

Sean Connery might be known as the ultimate James Bond actor, but the Scottish legend once served in the British Royal Navy, too. That was where he learned his spy-moves from probably, and he joined when he was just 16, without even having a second thought about it. He stayed in the military for three years, however, he faced numerous health issues that made his discharge obligatory. After leaving the Navy, he went on to pursue an acting career, becoming the Hollywood star he now is and we couldn’t be more thankful.

Paul Newman - U.S. Navy

Paul Newman was an award-winning actor who had a very exciting career from the 1960s through the 1980s. Prior to becoming an actor, he was a proud member of the U.S. Navy. He was also training to be a Navy V-12 pilot but they later removed him from the training program since he was color blind. Newman was 83 years old when he passed away in 2008 and lung cancer was believed to be the cause of his death even if it was never confirmed.

Humphrey Bogart - U.S. Navy

Humphrey Bogart was a member of the United States Navy when WW I broke out. He enlisted in the Navy in 1918 as a teenager. The famous scar he had on his upper lip was believed to have been from one of his experiences during his time on the Navy. Postwar, Bogart started a career on Broadway and eventually became a big screen actor. He died in 1957 due to esophageal cancer, though we have no further information if he had managed to maximize his medical health insurance to fight it.

Carl Reiner - U.S. Air Force

Carl Reiner is a funny actor from who also did some work behind the scenes as a writer and director. He is one of the people responsible for The Dick Van Dyke Show. Back in the 1940s, he served as a corporal in the U.S. Air Force. He alsohad stints as a translator and radio operator. Reiner is now 96 years old and he is known for using his phone a lot for Tweeting. Cool!

Ernest Borgnine - U.S. Navy

Right after actor Ernest Borgnine was done with high school, he decided to join the U.S. Navy. He loved serving his country and even if he was honorably discharged at one point, he still managed to come back due to the Pearl Harbor attack. He was finally done with his Navy career in 1945 and this was when he had decided to pursue a career in show business. He would be most remembered for appearing in Marty, McHale's Navy, and Airwolf.  In 2012, Borgnine died of kidney failure.

Mickey Rooney - U.S. Army

Mickey Rooney embarked on an acting career at a very young age and he was already a popular actor when he joined the U.S. Army in the 1940s. He was a part of the Special Services who was entertaining the American troops. After his military career, he later managed to continue on in building an impressive acting portfolio and appeared in movies like Breakfast at Tiffany's and It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. He passed in 2014 due to natural causes.

Robert Duvall - US Infantry

Robert Duvall's family had many members who served in the Army, while his father was a Rear Admiral. Duvall thought about taking his shot at military service, so he joined the US Army in 1953. He took part in the Korean war, though his fighting experience was close to zero. He left in late 1954, as a Private First Class. He surely made his parents proud, but the uniform wasn't what he wanted. He had already started acting while he was a soldier.

Steve McQueen - US Marines

The legendary Steve McQueen served in the US Marines from 1947 to 1950. However, his rebellious behavior made his time in the Army much more difficult than he might have expected. He was demoted to private seven times, and especially one time, he went AWOL for two weeks. When the shore patrol found him, he was with a girlfriend of his, and he even resisted arrest. In the end, he defined his time in the Marines as a beneficial experience in his life, as he then focused on self-control and discipline.

Alan Alda - U.S. Army Reserve

Most remember actor Alan Alda for giving life to the role of Hawkeye Pierce in the hit show, M*A*S*H. Alda first had a taste of military training back when he was still a student at Fordham University and became one of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. After graduating, he later worked at Fort Benning and went to Korea with the U.S. Army Reserve for about half a year.

Sammy Davis Jr. - US Infantry

Sammy Davis Jr. had just graduated from high school when he joined the US Army in 1943, during WWII. As he claimed, his father always protected him from prejudicial views, but inside the Army, he fell victim to strong racism and mockery. Fortunately, he was soon transferred to an Entertainment unit, where he made his fellow soldiers laugh by performing for them. Though a depreciating experience, it helped him with his mental health, increasing his confidence and his ability to perform in front of numerous people.

Johnny Cash - US Air Force

The World's most favorite country musician, Johnny Cash, had his share of serving in the Army when he joined the US Marines in 1950. He trained at the Lackland Air Force Base and at the Brooks Air Force Base in Texas, before being assigned as a radio operator in Germany. His work was something similar to cybersecurity in our days, as he tried to intercept Russian Morse messages. He formed his first band called The Landsberg Barbarians during his time in the Air Force.

Mel Brooks - US Infantry

Mel Brooks' time in the Army came during the devastating Second World War. He had just graduated from college when in 1994, he joined the US Army. He served in the 1104 Engineer Combat Battalion, reaching the position of Corporal. He was sent to Germany, where his main task was to diffuse land mines in order for the troops to advance towards Nazi targets. Eventually, he returned safe and sound after the war's end, becoming the celebrity we all now adore.

Hugh Hefner - US Infantry

Hugh Hefner was probably the last man you'd expect to wear an Army uniform, however, it is true! The late Playboy Megamind had just finished studying in the Steinmetz High School when he joined the US Army in 1944. He wasn't deployed to the battlefield; instead, he served as an infantry clerk. He probably saw this as a form of exercise for his drawing and publishing skills, before eventually being honorably discharged in 1946.

Bob Barker - U.S. Navy

Bob Barker has hosted the game show The Price Is Right for about three decades. However, his life wasn't all about hosting because he actually served in the Second World War. He was a fighter pilot in the United States Navy. Once the war had ended, he was able to pursue his studies and become a summa cum laude graduate. He is still alive at 94 and let's hope that it would be a long while before his life insurance benefits kick in.

Burt Lancaster - 03Z, 5th Army

During the '30s teens, Burt Lancaster and Nick Cravat became the Acrobat team, Lang and Cravat. They eventually joined Kay Brothers circus. But in '39, Lancaster was forced to quit the profession after an injury, later becoming a singing waiter at restaurants. With the U.S. joining the battle in World War II, he joined the army in '42, and gave performances in the 21st Special Services Division, providing USO entertainment. He served with the Fifth Army in Italy from '43  to '45. Back in the U.S., he got a role on A Sound of Hunting, thus starting his acting career. He died at home after a third heart attack in 1994.

Prince Harry - Household Cavalry & Air Army Corps

Just like his father before him, and as the Royal legacy dictates, Prince Harry served in the British Army, too. His Army duty lasted ten years, with him entering the Royal Military Academy of Sandhurst, reaching the rank of a Lieutenant in the Household Cavalry. Harry was sent to Afghanistan twice and joined the Air Army Corps and received training as a pilot! His father, Prince Charles, provided him with his provisional wings! However, the Army days are in the past and Prince Harry is now enjoying life as a married man and soon to be a father for the first time!

Prince William - Air Army Corps & Royal Navy

It was not just Harry; Prince William’s career management orbited around the Army too until he passed selection and got into the Royal Military Academy of Sandhurst, back in 2006. However, being an heir to the throne means he did not stand a chance to be involved in a real war situation and so he went to continue his military career in the Royal Navy as well as the Royal Air Force. Much like his younger brother, he received his 'wings' from his father and actually got to fly to Afghanistan to retrieve the body of a fallen soldier. Prince William and his wife attended the Remembrance Day’s Centenary on November 11, 2018.

Prince Charles  - Royal Navy & Air Army Corps

If someone could boast about their experience in the Army, then that someone is definitely Prince Charles. Prince Charles followed the tradition when he enrolled in both the Royal Navy as well as the Air Army Corps, yet he was most eager to learn and receive training. He was trained as a jet pilot at the Royal Air Force College Cranwell as well as endeavored in many frigates during his naval career. He is also a helicopter pilot, however, his flying days were over when he had an accident in 1994 near Scotland. Prince Charles is already a grandfather of three, soon to welcome his fourth grandchild from Prince Harry!

Richard Pryor – U.S. Army

Richard Pryor is widely considered to be among the three most important comedians of the past century, along with Lenny Bruce and George Carlin. He was born in 1940, in Illinois, and he grew up in his grandmother’s brothel. After an abusive and rough childhood, Richard served in the Army from 1958 until 1960. However, most of his time in the military was spent in the army prison. Some sources said that Pryor and other black members of the military beat and stabbed a white soldier for being amused with the Imitation of Life scene featuring Douglas Sirk and a racial theme, which led to his arrest.

Nate Dogg - Marines

Nate Dogg is a well-known rapper, songwriter, singer, and actor. He was a member of 213 rap trio with Snoop Dogg and Warren G, while his solo career produced albums like G-Funk Classics, Vol. 1&2, Music & Me, and others. Nate joined the Marines when he was 17 and was stationed all the way in Japan. Nate was a member of the 3^rd Force Service Support Group, the Material Readiness Battalion, which supplied ammunition to the Pacific. He was a specialist but got discharged honorably in 1989. Nate died aged 41, in 2011, due to multiple strokes.

Jesse Ventura – U.S. Navy

Jesse Ventura is an actor, best known from movies like The Running Man and Predator, both starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. He is also an author, media personality, and a former pro wrestler back in the day; he entered retirement in the early ‘90s. In 1969, Ventura joined the U.S. Navy and served until 1975, but he did not participate in the Vietnam War. He completed the Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S) training, which led to a controversy later on. After his service, he returned to Minnesota and began with wrestling and weightlifting which would later kick-off his career.  Ventura's latest acting stint was on The Drunk, in 2014.

Jamie Farr – 6^th Infantry Division

Jamie Farr is a well-known actor from film, TV, and the theater. He is best recognized by his role in M*A*S*H and other comedic performances. Jamie was born in 1934 and began acting as a teen, but was drafted to the U.S. Army for training with the 6^th Infantry Division. He survived service in Japan and Korea and returned to acting in the ‘50s. He gradually progressed from extras to supporting and later regular roles, like on The Chicago Teddy Bears gangster comedy. In the early ‘70s, Jamie was finally cast in M*A*S*H, while currently and since 2018, he's seen on The Cool Kids TV series.

Bob Newhart – U.S. Army

Bob Newhart has a five-decade-long career as an actor and comedian. His trademark deadpan and a bit stammering style of delivery are well-known to audiences, while Bob already became famous in the‘60s. In fact, his first comedy album The Button-Down Mind of Bob Newhart was released in 1960 and was ranked #1 on the Billboard chart for pop albums, while reaching the best-selling worldwide status. Prior to that, Bob was drafted in the U.S. Army and was in the Korean War. He was a personnel manager until his 1954 discharge. Since 2013, Newhart has had a recurring role on The Big Bang Theory.

Kurt Vonnegut – 106^th Infantry Division

Kurt Vonnegut was best known by his book Slaughterhouse-Five, which came out in 1969. During his 50 year-long writing career, Kurt published numerous works, including 14 novels. He was a strong advocate for pacifism early on and criticized the intervention of the U.S. in WWII, but after Pearl Harbor, he enlisted due to no alternative choice. He trained in Fort Bragg and was later stationed in Camp Atterbury’s infantry battalion. Vonnegut was also in the 106^th Infantry Division, the Battle of the Bulge, and was even a prisoner of war in Dresden. He survived the Dresden bombing by Allied forces, went back to the U.S. in 1945, and lived to be 84.

Jack Lemmon – U.S. Navy

Jack Lemmon’s legendary reputation as an actor requires no confirmation. His career began in 1949 and was filled with countless iconic roles that audiences will undoubtedly remember forever. Some of his best performances were on Mister Roberts and Save the Tiger both of which won him an Oscar and many others. Jack was in the V-12 Navy College Training Program. After the U.S. Navy commissioned him, he was briefly in WWII but returned to finish his education and graduate in War Service Sciences. His debut role came two years later, in 1947, and his career took off in the ‘50s. Jack Lemmon died in 2001, at the age of 76.

Danny Aiello - U.S. Army

Danny Aiello is a well-known actor who has been active since 1972 and has had countless memorable roles in movies like The Godfather Part II, The Front, Once Upon a Time in America, Léon: The Professional, Lucky Number Slevin, and others. He was nominated for an Oscar for his performance on Do the Right Thing and was the lead on The Last Don. Danny enlisted when he was 16, by lying about his age. He served three years in the U.S. Army and came back to NYC to support his family by earning money any way he could, including being a bouncer at The Improv, a legendary comedy club. In 2017, he appeared on The Neighborhood.

Harry Belafonte – U.S. Navy

Harry Belafonte is a singer and songwriter whose contribution to making the Caribbean music popular earned him the nickname ‘King of Calypso.' He is considered to be among the best Jamaican-American stars in pop music history as his debut album Calypso, from 1956, was the first single artist’s LP that sold in million copies. Immediately after graduation, Belafonte went off to serve in the Navy during WWII. His musical and acting careers began in the ‘50s after he returned. He was taking acting classes alongside Tony Curtis, Marlon Brando, Walter Matthau, and he was good friends with Sidney Poitier, too.

Roy Scheider – Air Force Reserve Command

Roy Scheider was a well-known actor who rose to fame when he was cast in The French Connection, while the audience perhaps best remembers him for the films Jaws, Jaws 2, Marathon Man, and seaQuest DSV TV series. In his youth, Roy was an amateur boxer and graduated in 1950 at Columbia High School where he was inducted into its Hall of Fame, 35 years later. Roy’s highest Army rank was captain, as he served from 1955 until 1958, primarily in Air Force Reserve Command. He died in 2008, while his footage was used in The Shark Is Still Working documentary in 2012.

Benny Hill – Combined Services Entertainment

Benny Hill was the legendary English comedian, best known for his own The Benny Hill Show. It was a show consisting of sketches performed mainly by Benny in a slapstick, double entendre, mime, and parody style, often with historical and social themes. The show aired inconsistently from 1955 to 1991. Benny’s draft came in 1942 to be a mechanic for the British Army and indeed Benny was a truck driver, mechanic, and operated the searchlight in Normandy. He was later a part of the Combined Services Entertainment, which was where his career in entertainment began. Benny’s health declined rapidly since the ‘80s and he died in 1992, aged 68.

Don Knotts – U.S. Army

Don Knotts was an actor best known from The Andy Griffith Show, as the Deputy Sheriff Barney Fife. The role earned Don five Emmys as his comedic talent later also shone through numerous roles in movies and shows such as The Ghost and Mr. Chicken, The Incredible Mr. Lampet, Three’s Company, and others. Don was ranked #27 of the 50 Greatest Stars on TV in history by the TV Guide. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in the WWII before his career took off. His last performance was in 2006, in the movie Air Buddies, while Don died that same year, aged 81 of complications related to lung cancer.

Fred Willard – Kentucky Military Institute

Fred Willard is an actor, voice actor, comedian, and writer. His trademark improvisational comedy and his movie roles on This is Spinal Tap, Waiting for Guffman, A Mighty Wind, Best in Show, American Wedding, For Your Consideration, Mascots, and Anchorman earned Fred several award nominations. His role on Everybody Loves Raymond got Fred nominated for an Emmy Award three times, while he also had a Primetime Emmy nomination for his role in Modern Family, in 2010. Fred is a Kentucky Military Institute graduate, class of ’51. His more recent performances were on Milo Murphy's Law and The Bobby Roberts Project.

Bob Feller – U.S. Navy

Bob Feller was a legendary baseball pitcher, known to his fans by nicknames ‘Rapid Robert,' ‘Bullet Bob,' and ‘The Heater from Van Meter.' He had 18 MLB seasons in his portfolio, all played with the Cleveland Indians. Feller began playing professionally in 1936 and then, in 1941, he was drafted by the Navy to serve four years in the WWII. He was first made Chief Petty Officer and then was assigned to the USS Alabama battleship, as gun-captain. After returning from the Navy, Bob continued his career in 1945 and played until 1956. He had 570 games throughout, with a record-setting win-to-loss ratio of 266 to 162.

J.R. Martinez – 101^st Airborne Division

J.R. Martinez is known as a former soldier of the United States Army and a strong motivational speaker, as well as an actor.  While serving in Iraq, in the U.S. Infantry, Martinez sustained burns on approximately 34% of his skin. He joined the Middle East conflict in 2003 and two months later drove over an IED, which caused his Humvee to catch fire, scarring him for life. Martinez also had to see a surgeon to operate on a foot injury and later won in Dancing with the Stars.  He has since shared his experience in various public speeches and worked with burn survivors, earning him a Veterans Leadership Award and a Shining Star of Perseverance.

Sherman Hemsley – U.S. Air Force

Sherman Hemsley was an actor, best remembered for his roles on The Jeffersons, All in the Family, Amen, Dinosaurs, and many more. For his role of George Jefferson, Sherman won the NAACP Image Award and earned Golden Globe and Emmy nominations. He left school at 10^th grade to join the U.S. Air Force and served from 1954 to 1958. He later worked as a postman and studied acting at night. Sherman’s career in entertainment began in 1973 and lasted until his death in 2012. In 2001, Sherman competed in a celebrity edition of the quiz Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? All of his $125K winnings were given to his charity.

Jerry Mathers – U.S. Air Force Reserve

Jerry Mathers is best known from the Leave It to Beaver sitcom, which ran in the late ‘50s and the early ‘60s. His career began when he was only two years old and his first movie role came in 1954, when he was six, on This is My Love. Other roles soon followed on Men of the Fighting Lady, The Trouble with Harry, and The Seven Little Foys. Jerry retired from acting when he was a teenager and joined the U.S. Air Force Reserve. Even after graduating, Jerry continued his service and earned that rank of Sergeant. He later returned to acting and in 2009 became the spokesman for health and pharma company, PhRMA.

Mike Farrell – U.S. Marine Corps

Mike Farrell is best known from M*A*S*H, a popular TV show from the late ‘70s and the early ‘80s, while younger audiences may recognize him from Patch Adams and Desperate Housewives. He was also often seen as a guest on various popular TV shows in the past decade or two. Farrell served in Okinawa, at Camp Hansen, as a part of the U.S. Marine Corps. He recently had a recurring role on The Red Road and was also seen on American Crime Story. In 2001, Mike received a PETA award for his animal rights advocacy.

Charles Durning – U.S. Army

Charles Durning has appeared in a staggering 200 movies, plays, and TV shows throughout his almost 70-year-long career, which lasted from 1945 until his death in 2012. He was most famous for his parts on The Sting, Dog Day Afternoon, Tootsie, Dick Tracy, O Brother, Where Art Thou?. Durning’s roles on The Best Little Warehouse in Texas and To Be or Not to Be both earned him an Oscar nomination, while his service in the U.S. Army in World War II was decorated with a Purple Heart, Bronze Star, and Silver Star. He also contributed to the Department of Veterans Affairs and their care for veterans in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, and medical centers.

Maynard James Keenan – West Point Prep School

Maynard James Keenan is a famous singer from Tool, Puscifer, and A Perfect Circle. He is the owner of Merkin Vineyards and manufactures Caduceus vines, named after the staff of Hermes. Inspired by the movie Stripes, Maynard enlisted in the U.S. Army hoping to get the funds for his art school. He was a forward observer and later studied at the West Point Prep School. Maynard was distinguished during training but later chose to pursue a career in music. He studied at the Kendall College of Art and Design and sang in various bands before he met Danny Carey and Adam Jones. They formed Tool and the rest is history.

Bea Arthur - US Marine Corps Women's Reserve

Bea Arthur never actually admitted having served in the US Army, but after some research, some official documents revealed that she spent a 30-month period in the US Marine Corps Women's Reserve. She enlisted in 1943, when she was just 21 years old, serving under her original name, Bernice Frankel. She mostly served as a truck driver. Rumor had it that she never confirmed serving in the Army because she needed treatment for a venereal disease, something that she didn't want to reveal.

Tony Curtis - US Navy

Joining the Army wasn't part of Tony Curtis' financial planning. Instead, after the attack on Pearl Harbor, the legendary actor was motivated to enlist in the US Navy in order to help his country. He served in the Pacific Submarine Force, from 1943 until 1945. Throughout his life, he has strongly supported America's troops and veterans, and during his funeral, he was buried with military honors for his contribution to America's victory.

Zulay Henao - United States Army

Did you know that the stunning actress and model Zulay Henao served in the army? Neither did we! But Zulay served three years in the U.S army right after she finished high school and before she started her acting career. Upon leaving the army, Zulay started studying acting at the New York Conservatory of Dramatic Arts. Now, she is famous for her roles in True Memoirs of an International Assassin, The Single Moms Club, and many others. In 2018, she made an appearance in an episode of the TV series Kevin Can Wait.

 

Harvey Keitel - United States Marine Corps

Instead of continuing his education, acclaimed actor and producer Harvey Keitel joined the United States Marine Corps when he was only 16. When he finally returned home, he became a court reporter. Keitel did that for a living for a couple of years before he finally decided that he wanted to become an actor. He soon landed the lead role in Martin Scorsese's first film, Who's That Knocking at My Door, in 1967. He's had quite a prolific career and is still very active. Keitel starred in the movie, The Last Man, and is set to appear in the upcoming biographical crime film The Irishman in 2019.

Johnny Carson - United States Navy

Johnny Carson served in the Navy during World War II. He joined in 1943 and used to decode encrypted messages after his training at Columbia University and Millsaps College. He eventually got a degree in journalism as part of his plan to become a comedy writer. But then, he changed his mind and decided he wanted to work on the radio. The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson-host would go on to become an icon in the world of entertainment and win six Emmy Awards throughout his career. Carson, a heavy smoker, suffered a severe heart attack in 1999 and passed away from respiratory failure in 2005.

Kirk Douglas - United States Navy

One of the last surviving actors from Hollywood's Golden Age, Kirk Douglas, enlisted in the United States Navy in 1941. He served as a communications officer and remained there until 1944. He grew up in an immigrant family with six sisters and used to do all sorts of jobs to help his family before he became an actor. He made his debut in 1946's The Strange Love of Martha Ivers and went on to become a box-office star. Douglas suffered a stroke in 1999 which impaired his ability to speak. He made a rare appearance at the 2018 Golden Globe Awards, on a wheelchair, accompanied by his daughter-in-law, Catherine Zeta-Jones. 

George Carlin - United States Air Force

When George Carlin joined the Air Force, he was trained as a radar technician. However, he was discharged in 1957 after being labeled an "unproductive airman". After the army, he formed a comedy team and started performing with fellow DJ, Jack Burns. Carlin became one of the best stand-up comedians of all time. He remains famous for his black comedy and his courage to tackle all the taboo topics. Carlin had heart problems throughout his life and suffered three heart attacks. He also struggled with addiction in his later life and entered rehab in 2004. However, he died of cardiac arrest in 2008.

Mr. T - Military Police Corps

Laurence Tureaud, best known as Mr. T, enlisted in the Army Military Police Corps after he was expelled from Prairie View A&M University after his first year. He was promoted to squad leader but was discharged soon after. Tureaud then worked as a bouncer and created the name Mr. T. This is where his habit of wearing gold chains originates as he would collect the jewelry that customers would forget at the nightclub. He only stopped wearing it in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina. Mr. T is a retired professional wrestler and actor known for Rocky III and The A-Team. In 2017, he competed on Dancing with the Stars. 

James Earl Jones - Reserve Officer Training Corps

When James Earl Jones joined the Reserve Officer Training Corps, he found the military environment to be enjoyable. James worked as stage crew while waiting for his orders and was finally commissioned after the Korean War ended. Jones was first promoted to second lieutenant and then to first lieutenant before he was discharged.  He is best known for his role in The Great White Hope as well as his voice roles of Darth Vader in the Star Wars films and Mufasa in The Lion King. The 87-year-old James is not even close to retirement and will again provide the voice of Mufasa in 2019's The Lion King.

John Coltrane - United States Navy

John William Coltrane, who was also referred to as Trane, enlisted in the Navy in 1945 as an attempt to avoid being drafted by the Army. Trane was trained as an apprentice seaman before going to Pearl Harbor and soon started serving as a musician in the band called Melody Masters. By the time his service ended, he had become the leader of the band. Trane is regarded as one of the most influential saxophonists of all time. He was only 40 when he died of liver cancer in 1967. Some biographers also believe John suffered from hepatitis and used heroin as well.

JD Salinger - United States Army

The great writer, JD Salinger, already had some of his short stories published before he served in World War II, having been drafted in 1942. During the war, he met Ernest Hemingway whom he admired and who worked as a war correspondent at the time. Salinger gained fame as the author of Catcher in the Rye. Although, after the success of the novel, he became reclusive and published fewer works. He was deeply affected by the war and spent some time at the hospital, too. He said that no matter how long you live, you'll never really get rid of the smell of burning flesh from your nose.

Henry Fonda - United States Navy

Henry Fonda already had a successful Hollywood career when he enlisted in the Navy during World War II. He served for three years and was awarded a Bronze Star Medal. He took a break from his acting career during his time in the army and attended parties instead. When he returned on Broadway, he won a Tony Award for his role in Mister Roberts—a comedy about the Navy. Fonda, unfortunately, died due to heart disease in 1982. He also reportedly suffered from prostate cancer but this was not the cause of his death.

Bill Cosby - United States Navy

Bill Cosby enlisted in the Navy in 1956 where he worked as a hospital corpsman handling physical therapy for the injured soldiers. He then got his high school equivalency diploma and got a scholarship to Temple University in 1961. He soon left Temple to become a comedian. Cosby was the star of his own sitcom, The Bill Cosby Show (1969-1971) and later created the Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids animated series based on his character. We're not sure if reputation recovery is possible for Bill who was accused of misconduct by more than 60 women. In September 2018, Cosby was sentenced to 3 to 10 years in prison.

Marvin Gaye - United States Air Force

Marvin Gaye dropped out of high school when he was 17 and enlisted in the United States Air Force. But he didn't like it there too so he faked a mental illness in order to get discharged. He then focused on his singing career and gained fame after hits such as Ain't That Peculiar and I Heard It Through the Grapevine. Marvin was raised by a strict father who was a church minister. He was reportedly beaten throughout his childhood and his father was the one who took his life in the end. Marvin Gaye Sr. shot him in the heart and shoulder in April 1984.

Dennis Franz - United States Army

Actor Dennis Franz received his bachelor's degree in speech and theatre in 1968 and was drafted into the United States Army right after that. He served 11 months in the Army (82nd Airborne Division and 101st Airborne Division). Dennis portrayed numerous police officers throughout his career, including his most famous role as detective Andy Sipowicz in the series NYPD Blue—for which he earned a Golden Globe and several other awards. Franz also portrayed a similar role in Hill Street Blues. Dennis has been retired since 2004 and his most recent television role was in Sesame Street.

Don Rickles - United States Navy

The late comedian, actor, and author, Donald Jay Rickles, enlisted in the United States Navy after finishing high school during World War II. Upon being honorably discharged in 1946, Don started studying at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. However, he couldn't find acting work so he started performing at comedy clubs. He became famous as an insult comic because the audience loved the way he reacted to hecklers. The Run Silent, Run Deep star was also known for his numerous appearances on talk shows. Unfortunately, Don died of kidney failure in 2017 at the age of 90.

Gene Wilder - United States Army

Gene Wilder was drafted into the Army in 1956 and was assigned to the medical corps and sent for training. He chose to serve as a paramedic and attend acting classes at the HB Studio at the same time. When he was discharged from the Army, he became a full-time student and soon landed his first professional acting job in a production of Twelfth Night. Gene rose to fame as Willy Wonka from Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory. Wilder, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, kept his condition private but died of complications related to the disease in August 2016.

Rachel Washburn - United States Army

Former Philadelphia Eagles cheerleader Rachel Washburn decided to give up her pom-poms and join the United States Army. Rachel was a cheerleader for the Eagles from 2007 until 2009 before she decided to enlist. She served two tours with the U.S. Army in Afganistan which included helping Afghan women and children. The Philadelphia Eagles recognized her for her efforts in Afghanistan and made her father very proud. If you visit her Instagram account, you can see plenty of photos taken during her two special missions. According to her account, Rachel is currently a Clean Water Corps member.

George W. Bush - National Guard

Former President of the United States George W. Bush was commissioned into the Texas Air National Guard but later became a pilot and was assigned to Houston. In 1972, Bush failed to take a physical exam and was thus suspended from flying. He was discharged from the Air Force Reserve two years later. After his departure, Bush started a small company called Arbusto Energy and soon became politically involved, too. He served as the 43rd President of the United States from 2001 to 2009. Bush has not yet announced his retirement and remains politically active. In April 2018, Bush met with the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammad bin Salman.

Audie Murphy - United States Army

One of the most decorated World War II American combat soldiers, Audie Murphy, was too young to join the Army after the Pearl Harbor attack so his sister helped him falsify documentation in order to enlist. He was turned down by the Navy and the Marine Corps so he joined the Army. The war left him traumatized. Audie couldn't sleep without a loaded gun under his pillow and he had an addiction to sleeping pills. He appeared in more than 40 feature films in his acting career but still had money problems in his later years. He was only 45 when he was killed in a plane crash in 1971.

Robin Quivers - United States Air Force

The Howard Stern Show co-host and news anchor Robin Quivers joined the United States Air Force after graduating from the University of Maryland with a major in nursing. She was appointed as a second lieutenant and was promoted to a first lieutenant and then to captain in 1978 but was discharged soon after. Upon her return, she started her radio career and worked at a hospital at the same time. She struggled with endometrial cancer but recovered and returned to the studio in 2013. Her current annual salary is reported to be around $10 million.

Leonard Nimoy - US Infantry

From spaceships to the US Army? Well, yes. Leonard Nimoy, mostly known for portraying Spock in the Star Trek franchise, had served in the US Infantry, from 1953 to 1955. In his 18-month period in the Army, he was promoted to Sergeant, stationed at the Fort McPherson in Georgia. When he was discharged in 1955, his wife was about to give birth to their first child, so he then had to find other ways to provide for his family financially.

Jimi Hendrix - US Paratroopers

In the early '60s, police officers spotted Jimi Hendrix driving stolen vehicles twice. After his arrest, he could either go to jail or serve in the Army. He chose the latter, as expected. He joined the US Army in 1961, serving in the 101st Airborne Division. During his time there, his only companion was his guitar, and after he completed his paratrooper training, he was honorably discharged in 1962, as Army officials noticed that the military was something that he really wasn't fond of. 

Morgan Freeman - US Air Force

Morgan Freeman may now have a net worth enough to buy his own fleet, but he once turned down a scholarship to enlist in the US Air Force. His love for historic and war films inspired him to become a pilot, and in 1955, he joined the Army. He served as a radar technician, and he never managed to fly a plane. He was discharged in 1959, and if he became a pilot, we would have never witnessed his true acting potential.

James Blunt - Royal Army, Life Guards

It might sound weird to you, but your romantic and sweet singer James Blunt actually has a military past. He wasn't enrolled by any military recruiter. In fact, he got a university military scholarship and served in the British Royal Army for four years, until eventually being assigned to the Life Guards, who were reconnaissance troops. The famous singer was also voluntarily deployed to Kosovo along with NATO troops. His squadron was called Blues and Royals.

Fred Durst - US Navy

Fred Durst is well known as the bad boy from Limp Bizkit, the hip-hop/rock n' roll band, but when he was a teenager, he didn't have a clue about the career he was going to pursue. Despite the fact that his biggest passion was music and breakdancing, he enlisted in the US Navy to get some fast money. But he found out that it wasn't his thing. He left after just two years and immediately returned to Jacksonville, where he briefly worked as a tattoo artist before becoming a star musician.

Shaggy - US Marines

Mr. Boombastic actually served in the US Marines. You probably didn't expect it, but the funk-pop star enlisted in the Marines in 1998. Not only did he serve in the Army, but he also participated in the Persian Gulf War. He was promoted to lance corporal, however, he was demoted twice, and although we're super-curious about the reasons, they still remain unknown. He's surely one of the cases who would have required a military attorney!

Ice-T - US Infantry

Ice-T is now known for his hip-hop career, but he was once a pretty bad boy. He teamed up with gangsters and other crooks in order to make some easy bucks, and his girlfriend at the time carried his first child. He had no other option but to join the US Army to benefit him financially. He served in the 25th Infantry Division and he was even sent to Hawaii, where he purchased his first DJ equipment and started experimenting with music.

Willie Nelson - US Air Force

You probably picture Willie Nelson as the laid-back country music artist, with his hippie-like style. However, his teenage years were a different story. When he finished high school, Nelson enlisted in the US Air Force, back in 1950. We don't know if he planned to stay in the military for a long time, but in any case, the musician and actor was discharged after nine months, as he faced back problems, requiring some serious supervision by a doctor.

Adam Driver - US Marines

Adam Driver probably wielded a lightsaber in such a refined way due to his time in the US Marines. Driver was devastated by the 9/11 attacks, and this motivated him to join the Marines. He served as a mortarman in the Marines for almost three years. He would probably wear the uniform for a longer time, hadn't it been for a serious accident which resulted in him breaking his sternum. He was medically discharged, despite trying to recover from his injury.

Drew Carey - US Marines

It's kinda hard to believe that such a hilarious person like Drew Carey once served in the US Marines - but he did. He joined in 1980 until 1986, and his decision was probably made in order to improve his personal finance situation, as when he had left the Army, he worked in everyday jobs as a waiter, before eventually becoming a huge celebrity. When he was asked about his time in the military, he stated that his experience shaped his personality and defined him as the person he eventually became.

Rob Riggle - US Marines

Rob Riggle might now be a famous comedian and actor, but he has a serious military past. In 1990, he joined the US Marines to become a pilot. However, his business plan couldn't fit both the military service and acting, so he stayed in the Marines as a Reserve, while he also focused on his acting career. He has even visited the troops in Iraq to entertain them, and in 2013, he left the Marines after 23 years, while he was awarded several medals for his contribution.

Tom Selleck - US Infantry

When a military recruiter issued a draft note to Tom Selleck, the historical actor joined the California National Guard, in order to serve during the Vietnam War. He served from 1967 until 1973 in the 160th Infantry Regiment as a rifleman. When he was discharged, he stated that he felt very proud of being a veteran and that fighting for your country is a mutual experience that brings the people of a nation together.

Tony Bennett - US Infantry

Iconic singer Tony Bennett joined the US Infantry in 1944, just when WWII was about to end. However, his division, the 63rd infantry division, was deployed in Germany and later in France. Bennett was in the front line during the Battle of the Bulge, and he witnessed nightmarish situations like the Nazi Concentration camps' tear down. Fortunately, when he returned to the US, his mental health was in a very good shape, despite the adverse conditions he experienced, and he later clarified his opposition to the war.

Gal Gadot - Israeli Defense Forces

There's a reason why famous actress Gal Gadot has played in so many action movies. Apart from her modeling and acting activity, the Israeli beauty had also served in the Israeli Defense Forces for two years. There, she worked as a combat instructor, under circumstances which required a lot of discipline, motivation, and workouts. She has stated that her military history was one of the main reasons that the directors of the Fast & Furious 6 film thought she was ideal to play in the movie.

Rock Hudson - US Navy

Rock Hudson joined the US Navy in 1944, just when he had graduated from high school. We don't know if he did it to increase his earnings or if it was a voluntary action, but in any case, he received his training at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station. Soon after, he boarded the military transport ship Lew Wallace, where he was later sent to the Philippines, where he served as an aircraft mechanic. He was discharged in 1946 when he had already returned to America. It was only after that that he decided to take upon acting!

Sam Elliott - 163rd Airlift Wing

Sam Elliott might be loved as a gun-slinging cowboy of the Wild West, but in real life, he had been a military man  - for a while. Elliott did a stint in the California Army National Guard, serving in the 163rd Airlift Wing, and was based on the Channel Islands. He relocated to California to try to become an actor but to keep his personal finance going, he did occasional work, like construction, then he joined the military. Soon after, however, he got his first role as a cowboy on Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. In 2018, Elliott played Bobby Maine on the A Star Is Born remake, and was critically acclaimed.

Elvis Presley - US Infantry

When Elvis Presley joined the US Army in 1958, the media went nuts. Numerous professional photographers followed him until he eventually got inside the military camp, but Presley wanted to be treated just like everyone else. He regretted not having enlisted in the Special Services Unit, where he could have performed, but he eventually served as a rifleman. He was sent to Friedberg, Germany, where he eventually met his future wife, Priscilla Beaulieu.

Lee Van Cleef - U.S. Navy

Lee Van Cleef was an actor, best remembered for his roles in classics like The Good, the Bad and the Ugly and For A Few Dollars More. Prior to pursuing a career in Hollywood, he had served in the United States Navy. Van Cleef was a sonarman and he eventually obtained a Sonarman First Class rank. He also got a Good Conduct Medal and Bronze Star. He pursued acting after leaving the Navy and his career lasted for more than three decades. Van Cleef's last role before his death due to a heart disease in 1989 was in the movie, Thieves of Fortune.

Clark Gable - US  Air Force

Hollywood legend Clark Gable joined the US Army Air Force in 1942, and probably the death of his wife at the time, Carole Lombard, motivated him to leave the country for new adventures. After receiving his Air Force training, Gable participated in five missions as an aerial gunner under the commands of RAF, the British Air Force. After his return, he was awarded numerous medals for his bravery on the battlefield, and he also added Combat America in his film portfolio, a movie with interviews and details from the war.

Charles Bronson - U.S. Air Force

Charles Bronson pursued acting from the 1950s through the 1990s. Prior to building an impressive acting record, Bronson was actually serving the US in the second World War. He joined the United States Air Force in 1943 and was able to do more than 20 missions. Sadly, Bronson passed away back in 2003 due to pneumonia. He was 81 years old at the time of his death. Had he any life insurance, it sure would have benefited his wife Kim Weeks and his four children.

 

Chuck Norris - US Air Force

The famous actor and martial artist turned-cult-subject joined the US Air Force in 1958, just after his high school graduation. Chuck Norris was then sent to South Korea, where he served as an Air Policeman. It was then that Norris got to know a lot of stuff about workouts and martial arts, and he soon started training in Tang Soo Do and Tae Kwon Do. He later returned to California, where he served at the March Air Force Base until 1962.

Charlton Heston - U.S. Air Force

Charles Heston was an actor whose career lasted for about six decades. He gave memorable performances in classic movies like The Ten Commandments, Ben-Hur, and The Greatest Show On Earth. In the 1940s, Heston had been with the U.S. Air Force. He started out as a radio operator but he eventually became an aerial gunner. Quite the transition, we daresay! Heston, apart from his army duties, had to battle prostate cancer and Alzheimer's disease as well. Unfortunately, he died in 2008 due to pneumonia at the age of 84.

Jeff Bridges - United States Coast Guard Reserve

Actor Jeff Bridges, who comes from a family of Hollywood actors, served seven years in the United States Coast Guard reserve. When he was 17, he already toured with his father Lloyd Bridges in a production of Anniversary Waltz. Jeff's brother, Beau Bridges, is also an actor and so is his nephew, Jordan Bridges. Jeff received an Academy Award for his role in Crazy Heart and was nominated for the same award for six more roles. He is 68 and obviously not planning to retire yet because he is still working hard. He starred in 2018's Bad Times at the El Royale. His current net worth is at $70 million.

 

Jimmy Stewart - US Air Force

Jimmy Stewart is considered to be the first Hollywood star to join the Army during WWII. His first attempt to enlist came in 1940, but his weight didn't match his height standards, so he came back in 1941, after a lot of exercises, this time passing the tests. He joined the Air Corps and was promoted to a squadron commander in the 445th Bombardment Group, leading 20 combat operations across Europe. He left the Air Force in 1968, and America awarded him with a Distinguished Flying Cross for his service.