32 Actors Who Served In The Military

Drew Carey

I’ve always been fascinated by individuals who’ve lived extraordinary lives, and today, I want to share my thoughts on a group of people whose experiences have intersected with both the arts and military service.

Drew Carey, known for his humor, is an unexpected marine veteran. Before achieving success on television, he served in the Marine Reserves for six years as a field radio operator in Ohio. It’s intriguing to consider how operating a radio could prepare one for speaking into a microphone.

Bea Arthur

In the era of World War II, it was the norm for men to contribute to the war effort. Contrarily, women were not encouraged to enlist. However, Bea Arthur defied societal expectations and signed up for the Marines. Despite the unique circumstances back then, she ended up serving domestically, performing tasks such as typing and eventually working in the motor pool.

Jamie Farr

Jamies Farr is best known for portraying a corporal in “MASH” who challenged authority figures, but during the 1950s, he served honorably after being drafted in 1957. He was already engaged in show business then, which included performing in USO shows.

Mel Brooks

Mel Brooks, a renowned EGOT winner, enlisted in the US Army during World War II immediately after finishing high school in 1943. He was deployed to Europe towards the end of 1944 and took part in the Battle of the Bulge. After serving honorably, he received an honorable discharge in 1946, marking the beginning of a remarkable and iconic career.

Adam Driver

Adam Driver, similar to numerous others in his age group, felt compelled to enlist in the military following the 2001 September 11 attacks. Shortly thereafter, he joined the Marine Corps. The renowned actor from “Star Wars” takes great pride in his military background, despite the fact that his tenure was brought to an end when he sustained an injury during off-duty hours and was subsequently discharged due to medical reasons.

Robert Duvall

One of Robert Duvall’s most iconic performances was as Colonel Kilgore in “Apocalypse Now” (1978), who took pleasure in the scent of napalm at sunrise. It’s believed that his portrayal was influenced by his time in the US military, having served for a year during the late 1950s, following the Korean War.

Don Knotts

Although Don Knotts is best recognized for his comical roles on “The Andy Griffith Show” and “Three’s Company,” his military experience during World War II was far from amusing. He served for three years in the army, receiving multiple awards for his contributions in the Pacific region. Following the war, Knotts launched a highly successful acting career in Hollywood.

Morgan Freeman

Morgan Freeman’s road to fame was lengthy; he spent years in anonymity before becoming a ubiquitous voice in our collective consciousness. Following his high school graduation, Freeman joined the U.S. Air Force, serving from the 1950s through the end of his enlistment. Post-military, he relocated to Los Angeles and embarked on an acting career. However, it took another two decades of persistent effort before he achieved widespread recognition.

Paul Newman

I’ve always been a huge fan of Paul Newman. His charisma and talent made him an undeniable movie star, ranking among the biggest names of his generation. But long before gracing the silver screen, I was impressed to learn that he served our country during World War II. Mostly stationed on the aircraft carrier Bunker Hill, Paul Newman’s dedication and bravery off the set left an indelible mark on history.

Richard Pryor

Richard Pryor, a renowned comedian, was known for causing controversy wherever he went, even during his time in the army in the late 1950s. An article in The New Yorker reveals that a significant portion of his military service was spent in jail following an incident where he and other soldiers attacked a white soldier due to racial tensions.

Rob Riggle

Rob Riggle, a comedian, holds the title of one of the most committed Marines in Hollywood with an impressive 23-year military career. He enlisted in 1990 and went on numerous overseas deployments. Unlike many others on this list, Riggle’s military tenure was not brief; he served sufficiently to retire as a lieutenant colonel.

Jennifer Marshall

Jennifer Marshall may not be a familiar name to many, but those who are fans of “Stranger Things” will recognize her as Susan, the caring mom of Max. Before making her acting debut, Marshall served in the Navy for five years, including on the USS Theodore Roosevelt during Operation Iraqi Freedom.)

Jimmy Stewart

Jimmy Stewart had achieved great success as an actor prior to 1941, earning an Oscar for “The Philadelphia Story.” When Pearl Harbor was attacked, he chose to join the military rather than remain a civilian. Unlike Ronald Reagan and other actors, Stewart didn’t just lend support from the sidelines; he actively participated in combat as a member of the Army Air Force. His bravery earned him numerous accolades, including the Distinguished Flying Cross. Even after the war ended, he continued his military service, retiring with the rank of brigadier general in 1968.

Ice-T

Ice-T isn’t just an actor but also a hip-hop trailblazer, having developed an interest in music around the late ’70s during his military service. However, his experience in the army wasn’t particularly honorable – he was accused of theft and later determined to have neglected his duties. Consequently, he opted to leave the army early due to being a single father. He received an honorable discharge in 1979.

Gal Gadot

In Israel, it’s common for citizens to join the military defense force. At the age of 20, Gal Gadot was among them, serving her required two-year tenure as a fitness instructor for combat troops. During her service, she became known after being featured in a Maxim Magazine spread highlighting Israeli female soldiers. After leaving the army, she pursued acting and achieved success with her debut role in Fast & Furious.

Bob Ross

Bob Ross may not strike you as a military man with his tranquil disposition and voluminous hair, a style he grew to despise. For many viewers, Ross is synonymous with relaxation and unwinding while we marvel at his painting skills on TV. But before he became our beloved painting instructor, Bob was actually a master sergeant in the Air Force.

Robin Quivers

Robin Quivers gained widespread recognition for her role as Howard Stern’s loyal sidekick on his provocative radio program and for appearing alongside him in “Private Parts.” However, prior to her collaboration with Stern, she had an impressive military background. She enlisted in the Air Force right after college in 1975 and advanced to the rank of captain before deciding to leave the military and pursue a career in radio broadcasting.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s military service, like that of some other actors, wasn’t particularly noteworthy. He served in Austria, where it was mandatory for young men to spend a year. During this time, he was already gaining recognition in bodybuilding and even deserted to participate in competitions. Following his discharge, he entered the Mr. Universe contest for the first time, finishing as the runner-up, and the rest became legend.

Sean Connery

Sean Connery enlisted in the Royal Navy at the age of 16 in 1946, narrowly missing the involvement in World War II. Contrary to popular belief, he neither served on a submarine nor was a spy. His military tenure was cut short due to a medical condition, leading to his discharge within three years. Despite this, Sean remained proud of his military service throughout his life.

Caitlin Bassett

Caitlin Bassett, an actress known for her role in “Quantum Leap,” is a scarcity in Hollywood with the background of being a female military veteran. For seven years, she served in the army, completing three tours of duty in Afghanistan. After receiving an honorable discharge in 2017, she began her acting journey.

Gene Hackman

Gene Hackman, a renowned actor from Hollywood, joined the Marines Corps at the young age of 16 in 1947. He spent nearly five years in the corps, serving as a radio operator. A significant portion of this time was spent in China. Following his honorable discharge, Hackman pursued higher education and didn’t begin acting until he was 30. The journey was long, but little did he know that he would achieve such immense success and become one of the most cherished actors of his generation.

Tom Selleck

As a big fan of Tom Selleck’s acting career, I can’t help but be impressed by his military service during the Vietnam War. For six years, he served in the California Army National Guard, which kept him from being deployed overseas. Some people might think this lessened his contribution, but I see it differently. By choosing to serve in the National Guard, Tom put himself in a position to protect his country while also pursuing his dreams.

Marlene Dietrich

Mentioning Marlene Dietrich’s remarkable story in this list, although she didn’t have a military background, is essential. Born in Germany, she renounced her citizenship in 1939 with World War II’s outbreak. Throughout the war years, Dietrich devoted herself to the USO, boosting morale for American soldiers. During wartime, she was also enlisted by the OSS to record songs meant to demoralize German troops. Post-war, Dietrich received the Medal of Freedom for her invaluable contributions.

Gregory Gadson

As a big fan of Gregory Gadson, I have to admit that his military service has gained him more recognition than his acting roles, which makes him truly exceptional on this list. I’m in awe of this West Point graduate who suffered a life-altering injury in Iraq in 2007 when a roadside bomb took both of his legs. Remarkably, Gadson not only learned to walk again with the latest prosthetic technology but also found a way to integrate his injury into his acting, most notably in the film “Battleship.”

James Doohan

James Doohan, a renowned figure from “Star Trek,” valiantly served Canada in the army during World War II. He took part in the historic Normandy invasion on D-Day in 1944. For his courage and valor, he received several decorations. Remarkably, he was wounded six times, including being shot at the Juno Beach landing. Later in the war, he piloted aircraft as well.

Charles Bronson

In one of the greatest war films of all time, “The Great Escape,” Charles Bronson famously portrayed the role of an officer. Despite being depicted as Polish in the movie, Bronson had served in the real US Army Air Force during World War II. He flew as a gunner on a bomber and completed 25 missions in the Pacific theater, receiving recognition with a Purple Heart for his valor.

Kris Kristofferson

Kris Kristofferson, who is both a renowned singer-songwriter and actor, has often been linked to the counterculture scene. However, his background was quite different in the past. Raised as an army brat, Kristofferson felt obligated to serve in the military despite earning a Rhodes scholarship in college. He went on to become an officer, finishing Ranger training and serving in Germany. He left the army in 1965, relocating to Nashville and embarking on a new path that led to a storied career.

Mark Valley

The television series “Human Target” by Fox, featuring Chi McBride, Jackie Earle Haley, Indira Varma, and Janet Montgomery in starring roles, was unfortunately canceled prematurely. Heading this talented cast was Mark Valley as Christopher Chance, modeled after a DC comic character from the same titled graphic novel. Notably, Valley is an alumnus of West Point and experienced military action during the first Gulf War.

Jake McLaughlin

Among the intriguing anecdotes on this list is that of Jake McLaughlin, a notable actor from Quantico. Following his high school graduation, McLaughlin enlisted in the army and took part in the Iraq war, experiencing combat during the invasion’s early stages. Post-military service, he held various temporary jobs until eventually securing a role in In the Valley of Elah. Since then, McLaughlin has amassed an impressive resume with parts in numerous television programs and films.

Jesse Ventura

Jesse Ventura, renowned for his wrestling career and films like “Predator,” didn’t experience combat in Vietnam, but boasts an honorable military background. He graduated from BUD/S training, SEALs’ rigorous program, and served with Underwater Demolition Teams – the earlier versions of SEALs. Later, Ventura transitioned into politics and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

J.W. Cortés

Supporters of the Fox series “Gotham,” which is a prequel to Batman, are familiar with J.W. Cortés portraying Detective Carlos Alvarez. In this show, he collaborates with Jim Gordon at the Gotham Police Department. Previously, Cortés dedicated 13 years of his life to military service in the Marines, including during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Remi Adeleke

In 2023, the film “Plane” is undervalued yet boasts an impressive action plot. One reason for its excellence is the exceptional acting debut of Remi Adeleke. In this production, he portrays a member of a private military team tasked with saving passengers from a disabled plane stranded in the Philippines. Adeleke delivers a convincing performance due to his real-life background as a former SEAL.

2024-07-25 23:38