11 Celebrities Who Served Their Country Before Fame

Megi7 — Thu, 13 Mar 2025 13:14:23 +0000

Before hitting the big screen, these 11 celebrities wore military uniforms, revealing a surprising and honorable side of their life stories.

1. Clint Eastwood

Clint Eastwood was drafted to serve during the Korean War from 1951 to 1953. He worked as a swimming instructor at Fort Ord in California, and was honorably discharged in 1953. His skills helped him survive a plane crash in the Pacific Ocean.

2. Morgan Freeman

Morgan Freeman was stationed at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi, where he worked as a radar technician and an Airman First Class from 1955 to 1959.

3. Betty White

Betty White offered her services in 1941 when she signed up for the American Women’s Voluntary Services. She mostly worked as a truck driver delivering supplies to barracks in California.

4. Chuck Norris

Chuck Norris enlisted in the Air Force in 1958, and served as an air policeman in both Arizona and South Korea. He served until 1962.

5. Bob Barker

Joining the United States Navy Reserve in 1943, Barker trained to serve as a fighter pilot in World War II. However, he never flew any combat missions before the war finished.

6. Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley was drafted in 1958, already at the height of his musical fame. He spent most of his service time in Germany and remained in the Army Reserve until 1964.

7. Mel Brooks

Mel Brooks served as part of the 1104th Engineer Combat Battalion during World War II. During that time he built bridges, diffused mines, and even participated in the Battle of the Bulge. He spent most of his combat time in Belgium.

8. Hugh Hefner

Serving at the end of World War II from 1944 to 1946, Hefner worked as an infantry clerk. Despite a training award for sharpshooting prowess, his biggest contribution to the war effort might have been drawing cartoons for Virginia military newspapers.

9. Bob Ross

Bob Ross served in the Air Force for 20 years, working as a fighter pilot and test pilot during the Vietnam War. Juxtaposing his chill on-air personality, Bob Ross also served as a drill sergeant for many years. No wonder he wanted to relax in his art work.

10. Jimi Hendrix

After getting caught in a stolen car, Hendrix was given a choice: Go to prison, or join the Army. Enlisting in 1961, Hendrix trained as a paratrooper for the famous 101st Airborne Division and was honorably discharged the following year.

11. Rob Riggle

Rob Riggle served in the Marine Corps for 23 years following 9/11, with nine of those in active service. He was deployed to Afghanistan among other countries and won over 21 medals and ribbons.

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