70+ Celebrities Who Were in the Military

The many celebrities who were in the military are those who signed up to make the ultimate sacrifice for their countries. Through the years, many famous people have served in the military. While some were drafted, others enlisted voluntarily, and some even joined up multiple times. Many actors from the golden era of Hollywood served during World War II. The Vietnam War was also a popular era for actors who were in the military.

Many famous American military veterans went on to have illustrious careers in the movie entertainment industry. The Good, the Bad and the Ugly actor Clint Eastwood served in the US Army during the Korean War and almost died when he was involved in a plane crash. The plane landed in the ocean near Fort Ord, CA, and Eastwood was able to swim to safety. Some 40 years later, he won his first Oscar for directing Unforgiven. Other prolific actors who have served in the military include Paul Newman, Morgan Freeman, and Chuck Norris.

Some surprising celebs also served in the military, including musicians and rocks stars. Grateful Dead guitarist Jerry Garcia joined the US Army, but left the military 9 months later to study at the Art Institute of San Francisco. Other well known celebrity vets include Tool front man Maynard James Keenan, comedian Drew Carey, and rapper Ice-T.

Oliver Stone

Oliver Stone served in the Vietnam War, and made Platoon based on his experiences.

Clint Eastwood

“Million Dollar Baby” director Clint Eastwood was drafted by the US Army during the Korean War.

Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley joined the US Army in 1958.

Morgan Freeman

“Bucket List” Morgan Freeman served in the US Air Force.

Chuck Norris

Chuck Norris served in the US Airforce.

Pat Sajak

“Wheel of Fortune” host Pat Sajak served in the US Army during the Vietnam War.

Jimi Hendrix

Jimi Hendrix joined the Army after being caught stealing cars.  He was given the choice of Army or prison.

Marvin Gaye

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Musician Marvin Gaye enlisted in the US Air Force, but was discharged after he faked a mental illness.

Hugh Hefner

“Playboy” creator Hugh Hefner served as a military newspaper writer in the US Army.

Bill Cosby

Bill Cosby joined the Navy and worked as a hospital corpsman.

Johnny Carson

“Tonight Show” host Johnny Carson served in the Navy.

Mr. T

Mr. T served in the US Army.

Mel Brooks

Comedy director Mel Brooks served in the US Army during World War II.

John Coltrane

Jazz musician John Coltrane enlisted in the Navy and played in their jazz band.

Bob Barker

“Price is Right” host Bob Barker served as a fighter pilot in the US Navy during World War II.

Johnny Cash

Musician Johnny Cash enlisted in the US Air Force.

Shaggy

Musician Shaggy served in the US Marine Corps during the Gulf War.

Tom Selleck

Tom Selleck served in California’s National Guard.

Ice-T

Rapper Ice-T served in the US Army.

Sammy Davis, Jr.

Sammy Davis Jr. served in the Army during World War II.

MC Hammer

Entertainer MC Hammer served in the US Navy.

Ernest Hemingway

Author Ernest Hemingway used his served in World War I.

Paul Newman

“Cool Hand Luke” star Paul Newman served in the Navy during World War II.

Richard Pryor

Richard Pryor served in the US Army for two years, but he spent most of that time in army prison.

Nate Dogg

Rapper Nate Dogg served in the US Marine Corps.

Vincent Pastore

“Sopranos” actor Vincent Pastore served in the US Navy.

James Earl Jones

“Field of Dreams” actor James Earl Jones served in the Korean War.

Mickey Rooney

Actor Mickey Rooney served during World War II.

Montel Williams

Talk show host Montel Williams served in the US Marine Corps.

James Stewart

“It’s a Wonderful Life” star James Stewart was rejected from the US Army when he was first drafted because he didn’t meet the weight requirement.  He then worked out and bulked up and enlisted as a private.

William Sanderson

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William Sanderson served in the US Army.

Jesse Ventura

Politician and professional wrestler Jesse Ventura served in the Navy during the Vietnam War.

Don Rickles

“Casino” star Don Rickles served in the Navy during World War II.

Charlton Heston

“Planet of the Apes” star Charlton Heston served in the Air Force during World War II.

Kirk Douglas

Kirk Douglas served in the Navy during World War II.

Adam Driver

After 9/11, Girls actor Adam Driver joined the US Marine Corps. He served for two years and eight months before being medically discharged.

Jamie Farr

“M*A*S*H” star Jamie Farr served in the US Army.

Bob Newhart

Comedian Bob Newhart was drafted to the US Army during the Korean War.

Henry Fonda

Actor Henry Fonda served in the Navy during World War II.

Sinbad

Comedian Sinbad served in the US Air Force and regularly performed his stand-up routine during this time.

Ernest Borgnine

Actor Ernest Borgnine served in the US Navy for a total of 10 years.

Humphrey Bogart

“Casablanca” star Humphrey Bogart served in the US Navy.

Robert Duvall

“Apocalypse Now” actor served in the US Army during the Korean War.

Gene Hackman

“French Connection” actor Gene Hackman served in the US Marine Corps.

Alan Alda

“M*A*S*H” star Alan Alda was a member of the ROTC and served in the Army Reserves.

Kurt Vonnegut

Author Kurt Vonnegut recalled his experience as a World War II POW in his novel “Slaughterhouse Five.”

Jack Lemmon

“Odd Couple” actor Jack Lemmon joined the Navy after college.

Danny Aiello

Actor Danny Aiello enlisted in the US Army.

Harry Belafonte

Singer Harry Belafonte served in the Navy during World War II.

Kris Kristofferson

Actor Kris Kristofferson joined the US Army and became a helicopter pilot.

Dennis Franz

“NYPD Blue” actor Dennis Franz was drafted to the US Army during the Vietnam War.

Tony Curtis

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“Some Like it Hot” actor Tony Curtis served in the US Navy during World War II.

Leonard Nimoy

” Star Trek” actor Leonard Nimoy served in the US Army.

Brian Dennehy

Actor Brian Dennehy served in the US Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.

James Garner

“The Notebook” actor James Garner joined the National Guard and served in the Army during the Korean War.

Roy Scheider

“Jaws” actor Roy Scheider served in the US Air Force.

Benny Hill

Comedian Benny Hill served in the combined entertainment services division in World War II.

Carl Reiner

“Dick Van Dyke” star Carl Reiner served in the US Army during World War II.

Don Knotts

“Andy Griffith Show” actor Don Knotts joined the US Army.

Jerry Garcia

Grateful Dead co-founder Jerry Garcia served in the US Army.

Fred Willard

“Best in Show” actor Fred Willard served in the US Army.

Bob Feller

Baseball star Bob Feller served in the US Navy during World War II.

Sidney Poitier

Actor Sidney Poitier served in the US Army.

Canibus

Rapper Canibus served in the US Army.

Gene Wilder

“Willy Wonka” star Gene Wilder was drafted into the US Army.

Drew Carey

Comedian Drew Carey served in the US Marine Corps Reserve.

Art Carney

“Honeymooners” actor Art Carney served in World War II and was injured in the battle of Normandy.

Tony Bennett

Singer Tony Bennett was drafted to the US Army and served during World War II.

J.R. Martinez

Actor J.R. Martinez served in the US Army and was severely burned on over 34 percent of his body.  He began his acting career after his Army experience.

Jack Palance

“City Slickers” actor Jack Palance served in the US Air Force during World War II.

Sherman Hemsley

Actor Sherman Hemsley served in the US Air Force.