Top 10 Celebrity Veterans

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 14:49:58 -0500

did you know that ICE-T and Chuck Norris are Vets? So is Morgan Freeman and Clint Eastwood.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Nov 10 at 2015 2:52 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 14:52:07 -0500

Audie Murphy is certainly one of the top ten SFC Private RallyPoint Member.
Lee Marvin was another celebrity veteran. So many from John Ford to Ernest Borgnine served this nation.
Not to mention JFK, Dwight Eisenhower and many Presidents from the 19th century.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Nov 10 at 2015 2:56 PM

SCPO David Lockwood — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 14:56:47 -0500

Bob Keeshan, Elvis, Tom Selleck, Paul Newman, Hugh Hefner, Johnny Carson, Ed McMahon, Charlton, Heston and Jamie Farr to name a few!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 10 at 2015 3:05 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 15:05:30 -0500

Pat Tillman certainly belongs on that list.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Nov 10 at 2015 3:16 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 15:16:07 -0500

Regis Philbin as well (USN Supply Officer).

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 10 at 2015 5:18 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 17:18:40 -0500

Chuck Norris is not a Veteran of any war.
Wars are veterans of Chuck Norris.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Nov 10 at 2015 6:22 PM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 18:22:44 -0500

I know Chuck Norris was in the Air Force

Response by SGT James Allen made Nov 10 at 2015 7:28 PM

SGT James Allen — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 19:28:23 -0500

Mr. Rogers and Captain Kangaroo.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Nov 10 at 2015 8:59 PM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Tue, 10 Nov 2015 20:59:11 -0500

MOntel Williams was a Navy Intel Officer...

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 11 at 2015 1:27 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 01:27:18 -0500

James Earl Jones - 1LT in the Army - Ranger tabbed
Clint Eastwood - drafted into the Army during the koeran War - served at Fort Ord
Rob Riggle from 21 Jump street and several other movies - LTC in the Marines
Leonard Nemoy - Army reserves
Mel Brooks - Army combat engineer in WW2 - fought in the Battle of the Bulge
Gene Hackman - lied about his age at 16 and joined the Marines
Jimmy Stewart - Air force Reserve brigadier general
Clark Gable - Army Air Corp - served as a tail gunner on five bombing missions over Germany
Henry Fonda - Navy WW2 - He was awarded the Navy Presidential Unit Citation and the Bronze Star
Oliver Stone - Army Vietnam - Bronze Star and Purple Heart

Response by PO1 John Miller made Nov 11 at 2015 4:07 AM

PO1 John Miller — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 04:07:25 -0500

Can't forget Audie Murphy. Medal Of Honor, two Silver Stars, 2 Bronze Stars; one with Combat "V", and 3 Purple Hearts. Along with a whole cluster of medals won for combat action.

Response by SFC Collin McMillion made Nov 11 at 2015 9:30 AM

SFC Collin McMillion — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 09:30:42 -0500

I never really considered them as celebrities, but instead, as "Brothers in Arms".

Response by SGT Bryon Sergent made Nov 11 at 2015 10:17 AM

SGT Bryon Sergent — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 10:17:05 -0500

Flt. Lt. Donald Pleasance, Royal Air Force
Before trying to calm Michael Myers down or escaping from a POW camp in The Great Escape, Donald Pleasance was actually in a German POW camp. He flew in WWII with the 166 Squadron, RAF Bomber Command, and was captured after being shot down. Interestingly, he reportedly produced plays while imprisoned. There’s no word on whether he dealt with a masked psycho killer in real life, though.

Lt. Alan Alda, US Army Reserve
It’s impossible to think of Alan Alda without thinking of M.A.S.H. After a decade of being on a show that produced the single largest viewing audience of all time, it’s easy to see why he was a bit typecast. However, he joined the cast of the show with a bit of his own real life experience serving as a gunnery officer in Korea after the Korean War.

Col. Frank Capra, US Army
Before making It’s a Wonderful Life, Capra joined the Army and taught during WWI. He would go on to start building an unbelievable career in film which included You Can’t Take it With You, It Happened One Night, and Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, and even after massive success, he would return for WWII. He used his expertise to create educational films for the War Department (including what some believe is a masterpiece of propaganda filmmaking) with the next entry on the list.

Lt. Col. Dr. Seuss, US Army
If you got a chance to read my write up of The Dark Side of Dr. Seuss (or were fortunate enough to see it yourself) then you already know that Theodor Geisel joined the Army and worked with Capra’s First Motion Picture Unit. There, he made educational cartoons featuring a bumbling private named Snafu and, like Capra, directed propaganda films. So, yes, it’s safe to assume that the Cat in the Hat was anti-Hitler.

HM Bill Cosby, US Navy
The man who gave us advice, made kids say the darndest things, and sold us pudding was also a Navy Hospital Corpsman. He worked with soldiers, marines and airmen severely injured in the Korean War. That’s right, everyone. Ghost Dad was in the military.

Humphrey Bogart, US Navy
Not only was Bogart in the Navy, he may owe his entire career to it. The stories are not exactly clear, but several different accounts tell of how the actor was injured doing his duty in such a way that left him with a scar you might recognize and a lisp that developed. Of course, like most things with Bogart, that could all be tall tales, but his military service isn’t.

Airman Chuck Norris, US Air Force
It may or may not be true that, at one time, Chuck Norris was the U.S. Air Force.

Lt. Col. David Niven, British Army
David Niven was terrible at being in the military during peace time. He was insubordinate, got arrested for it, got his guard drunk, and escaped to New York City to send a telegram back home announcing his resignation. Of course, when WWII started, he paused his budding film career to rejoin the Army, took part in the Invasion of Normandy, and eventually won the Legion of Merit – the highest honor the US bestows on foreign servicemen.

Rod Serling, US Army Air Force
The master of science fiction and creator of The Twilight Zone was apparently so eager to get to war that he enlisted in the army the day after graduating high school. He’s another example of a talent that was born from serving – citing that his time fighting in WWII (and earning a Purple Heart and Bronze Star) made him turn to writing.

Audrey Hepburn, Dutch Resistance
Hepburn wasn’t in the military, so I’m cheating here, but I couldn’t leave her off the list because 1) she raised money for the Dutch Resistance in WWII by performing ballet routines 2) was a volunteer nurse in a Dutch hospital which received many Allied wounded and 3) it was getting a little dude-centric in here.

Sean Connery, Royal Navy
Bond, James Bond was not only in the Navy, but he enlisted when he was 16 years old and spent 3 years of service right after WWII.

Lt. James Doohan, Royal Canadian Army
What you may not know about the Chief Engineer of the USS Enterprise is that before he beamed anyone up, he was a complete bad ass. After joining the Army, his first mission was the D-Day invasion of Normandy and was shot six times by a machine gun (and saved by a silver cigarette case). He then trained as a pilot and went on to be called “the craziest pilot in the Canadian Air Forces.” I have no idea how one earns that nickname, but it’s clear that Doohan’s service was impressive – crazy or not.

Clint Eastwood, US Army
Like many men his age after WWII, Eastwood was drafted into the Army. Luckily for him, it was a major turning point in his life. He taught life-saving at Fort Ord where he encountered several film stars who convinced him to move to Los Angeles and become an actor. It was Chuck Hill, a man stationed at Fort Ord with Eastwood that would later introduce him to contacts at Universal.

Don Knotts, US Army
So you might have heard that Don Knotts was a hard ass drill sergeant in the marines, but that’s just an urban legend. In truth, Knotts was drafted into the Army in 1943, but he never fought. Instead, the military saw fit to use his special talents by having him entertain troops throughout the Pacific.

Lt. Alec Guinness, Royal Navy
There was no way I’d include someone from Star Trek without including someone from Star Wars. I couldn’t afford the fines. Fortunately, Obi-Wan himself was an officer in the Royal Navy during WWII. Before becoming obsessed with building a bridge on the river Kwai and becoming a Jedi Master, he commanded a vessel which took part in the invasion Sicily and Elba island.

Jack Palance, US Army Air Force
Modern audiences remember him as Curly but film fans know him as the scariest-looking villain to ever grace a Western. Unfortunately, that iconic, rugged look came from a tragic crash Palance was involved in while training with a B-24 Liberator. He was discharged in 1944, and would later head out to try his luck in show business. Luckily, he’d already changed his name from Vladamir Palahniuk to Jack Palance years before which undoubtedly helped his casting chances.

Michael Caine, British Army
After a giant career, Michael Caine has burst back into the mainstream spotlight helping out Batman, but before all of that, he served from 1952-1954, seeing active duty in Korea with the Royal Fusiliers.

Lt. Kirk Douglas, US Navy
The man who would later appear in Kubrick’s anti-war Paths of Glory (and, of course, The Final Countdown) was in the Navy during WWII. Douglas was with an anti-submarine patrol in the Pacific but was injured in 1944 and subsequently discharged. Of course, almost immediately after, he caught a big break in his acting career that would make him one of the best known stars of that generation.

Lt. Gene Kelly, US Navy
It’s hard to imagine the all-singing, all-dancing Gene Kelly storming the beaches of Normandy, which is good, because he didn’t. However, he did serve his country proudly by joining the Navy and writing/directing several documentaries while based in Washington, DC.

Cpl. Mel Brooks, US Army
This is the most surprising name on the list. Mel Brooks is the consummate comedian, a man who has made millions laugh with some of the funniest films ever made. But before writing “Springtime for Hitler,” he was in the Army during WWII. He joined up at 17 and was set to work defusing landmines. Later, he would fight in the famous Battle of the Bulge.

Lloyd Bridges: The incredibly prolific actor (who perpetually picked the wrong week to quit smoking, drinking, sniffing glue and doing amphetamines) had already begun a career at Columbia Pictures in 1941, but he took a hiatus to enlist in the Coast Guard during WWII.

Beau Bridges: Like father, like son. The younger Bridges grew up with movies — getting his first acting role in Force of Evil at the age of 7 — and went on to serve in the Coast Guard and Coast Guard Reserves while building his career.
Blake Edwards: Before Breakfast at Tiffany’s and the Pink Panther movies, Edwards served in the Coast Guard where he suffered a back injury that left him with chronic pain.

Tab Hunter: The heartthrob star of Damn Yankees lied about his age to enlist (he was only 15), and people apparently called him “Hollywood” because he spent so much down time watching movies.

Chris Cooper: When you see him as Norman Osborn in The Amazing Spider-Man 2, just remember he may be the only person in history to serve in the Coast Guard, study ballet, and then win an Oscar.

I got this from film school reject site.

20 Movie Icons You Didn't Know Were in the Military

These 20, alongside hundreds of others, redefine what it means to be a movie veteran.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Nov 11 at 2015 1:20 PM

SSG Warren Swan — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 13:20:25 -0500

I'm biased in what I consider "celebs" my list of top ten:
1. My father SFC William Swan
2. My Grandfather SGT Warren Leftwich
3. My Drill Sergeants from D/787 MP BN Ft McClellan AL 1994
4. My first team LDR, squad LDR, and PSG when I got to my first unit
5. My first 1SG CSM James Barrett. I cannot say enough good things about him
6. Every Soldier I got to serve with. I learned something from all of you. I hope I gave you something in return that was usable and not on a 4856.
7. Everyone who can look at their right arm and see a glowing Red One on it. And anyone else who can look on BOTH arms and see a glowing Red One on it.
8. Every servicemember who's answered the call, rucked up, and moved out smartly. Not giving one f*ck who's in their way, but willing to drop em like a bad habit if need presents itself.
9. All the NCO's I've had. I might not have understood what you said, what you meant, or the lessons learned, but you were there...even when I f*cked up royally, you made sure I pulled my head out of my ass and Charlie Miked with the quickness. 1SG Francis Knutson, I owe you a shitload I'll never get to repay. MSG Antonio Bates. You too brother. You tried to tell me what war was like and I wasn't hearing you. I had to go and figure it out. Glad both of us are here. SFC Ruiz C Battery Hamilton's Own. Another NCO who will give you nuggets when you think he isn't. SMA Kidd. I met him once and he left an impression of really caring for the Soldiers. Got his coin and remember him to this day. MAJ (then SGT) William Ward. Another smart as hell MP. SFC Gary Bennett. Another NCO way smarter than his rank would ever show. I could go forever but if I didn't mention you, Brothers I damn sure remember you. ITC Killough!! A Sailor who was cool as hell, but don't test the Chief. His game was tight when it came to his Joes.
10. Fellow members of the Armed Forces. No one made you join, no one made you stay. But something inside told you this was where you needed to be, and this was the home you've been looking for. When you want to look at a REAL celeb, grab a mirror. Fellas some of us aren't the best looking dudes, so we might wanna get someone to hold the mirror for us so when it cracks we won't hurt ourselves.
None of the folks I look up to are rich in money. They're richer than hell in life experiences. Real world application of tactics and plans, movers and shakers in a world that doesn't get much credit for what we do, but folks love to bring the hammer down on. All of them have lost someone and saved others who needed it. Thanks to all of you regardless of MOS.
For the first and probably ONLY time for me on RP or anywhere else, I'm not going to make any Coast Guard jokes. That will recommence tomorrow.

Response by SGT James Allen made Nov 11 at 2015 8:14 PM

SGT James Allen — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 20:14:30 -0500

Country music star George Strait. U.S. Army.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 11 at 2015 8:40 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 20:40:34 -0500

J.R Martinez is one on my list

Response by MSgt Darren VanDerwilt made Nov 11 at 2015 10:50 PM

MSgt Darren VanDerwilt — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 22:50:42 -0500

Clint Eastwood
Gene Hackman
Willie Nelson
Charlton Heston
Johnny Cash
Morgan Freeman
Steve McQueen
Humphrey Bogart
Paul Newman
Lee Marvin

Response by SGT Richard Headley made Nov 29 at 2016 1:44 PM

SGT Richard Headley — Tue, 29 Nov 2016 13:44:01 -0500

Don Adams served in Guadalcanal.

Response by TSgt Scott Hurley made Nov 29 at 2016 1:58 PM

TSgt Scott Hurley — Tue, 29 Nov 2016 13:58:40 -0500

Everyone knows their celebs that have served in the Armed forces.

But Everyone is forgetting a few.

President Ronald Reagan served in the Army during WWII with the motion picture unit.
Deforest Kelly served in the Army doing the same.
Jimmy Doohan (Scotty From Star Trek) was in the Canadian Army and was at Normandy
Walter Matthau was in the Army Air Force during WWII and served with Jimmy Stewart in the same Unit. Supposedly as his aircraft gunner.
Jack Lemmon served in the US Navy as an Ensign.
Tom Selleck served in the Army national Guard
I am sure that there are more celebs than this that have served our country.

Response by SSG James Hughes made Apr 25 at 2017 10:37 AM

SSG James Hughes — Tue, 25 Apr 2017 10:37:02 -0400

Jimi Hendrix 3-187 Rakkasans when the 101st was still Airborne

Response by Charlene Anderson made Apr 25 at 2017 2:24 PM

Charlene Anderson — Tue, 25 Apr 2017 14:24:13 -0400

Larry Wilcox from Chips was a Marine in Vietnam.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 25 at 2017 2:31 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Apr 2017 14:31:52 -0400

James Earl Jones

Response by MAJ Luca Luca made Apr 25 at 2017 5:18 PM

MAJ Luca Luca — Tue, 25 Apr 2017 17:18:23 -0400

There are a few guys that have served and not many have heard much about and never made a big deal about it. One that I think deserves a little more respect is Charlie Murphy. He served time in prison, the day he got out he joined the U.S. Navy. At one point, he saw the barracks explode in Beirut in 1983 from his ship. When they began bringing wounded abroad, he helped the wounded, staying up passed his shift as a boiler makers mate to bring water, aid and comfort to Marines as they brought them aboard from the rubble. Now, years later, when asked about it, why it wasn't mentioned, why he didn't write about it, didn't make a big deal about it, basically why he didn't do what a celebrity is supposed to do and point out what he did and how great he was; basically( I'm am paraphrasing here), " That was three days of duty in a six year tour, I was doing my job, that's what you do for your own".
Charlie mother f@!king Murphy. A classy guy, a Navy vet, he didn't classify as a combat vet, but he is a hero and acted like one. Thought maybe someone might like to known. RIP Charlie Murphy.

Response by SP5 Jim Johnson made Apr 25 at 2017 10:01 PM

SP5 Jim Johnson — Tue, 25 Apr 2017 22:01:21 -0400

Bob Hope
Honorary Veteran of the United States Armed Forces, a tribute from the United States Congress given in recognition of the entertainment he provided U.S. troops during war and peacekeeping missions (October 29, 1997)

Response by SSG Roger Miller made Apr 25 at 2017 10:08 PM

SSG Roger Miller — Tue, 25 Apr 2017 22:08:24 -0400

Johnny Cash, U.S. Army.

Response by MAJ Judd Clemens made Apr 26 at 2017 1:26 AM

MAJ Judd Clemens — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 01:26:02 -0400

Sterling Hayden would surely make that list. He served as an OSS agent in WWII.

Response by SGT Joseph Miller made Apr 26 at 2017 8:50 AM

SGT Joseph Miller — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 08:50:09 -0400

You know i have a few bad asses that usually get overlooked lee marvin who served in battle of saipan and was gunned down by machine gun fire .but the real bad ass would have to be charles durning, alot of people might remember him from best little whore house in Texas where he played the governor or NCIS where he played a medal of Honor recipient named cpl ernie yost, but he actually served in the army as a PFC and was in first wave of Omaha beach landing and made it through only to be wounded later and captured at battle of the bulge and escape narrowly becoming one of the soldiers massacred by the Waffen SS. The man was awarded several medals including sliver star ,bronze star, purple heart and several others and you would never know how much of a bad ass he was from his roles on tv and movies.

Response by Cpl Kent Mitchell made Apr 26 at 2017 10:03 AM

Cpl Kent Mitchell — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 10:03:00 -0400

Ted Williams, USMC, WWII & Korea; Lee Marvin, Marines, WWII; Eddie LeBaron, Marines, Korea; Tyrone Power, Marines, WWII. There's more and I will add on as I remember them.

Response by PO3 S Eric Pollard made Apr 26 at 2017 10:55 AM

PO3 S Eric Pollard — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 10:55:52 -0400

So was Bob "Happy Little Cloud" Ross!!

Response by COL Billy Welch, PMP made Apr 26 at 2017 11:32 AM

COL Billy Welch, PMP — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 11:32:30 -0400

Both Jimmy Stewart and Clark Gable joined after they were stars. Ronald Reagan also served and did films for the military.

Response by SGT Johnny Owens made Apr 26 at 2017 11:35 AM

SGT Johnny Owens — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 11:35:22 -0400

I don't know much about celebrities, but I think more veterans should find their way to Hollywood, and D.C. perhaps we could change the direction of our nation.

Response by Cpl Anthony Palko made Apr 26 at 2017 11:52 AM

Cpl Anthony Palko — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 11:52:18 -0400

Why is no one mentioning Lee Marvin!

Response by Cpl Milton Cabrera made Apr 26 at 2017 11:59 AM

Cpl Milton Cabrera — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 11:59:59 -0400

Monte Williams served in the Marines Corps and the Navy.

Drew Carrie served in the Marines Corps.

Shaggy (It Wasn't Me) served in the Marine Corps as an Artilleryman.

Adam Driver (Kylo Ren) served in the Marine Corps.

Response by SFC J Fullerton made Apr 26 at 2017 12:12 PM

SFC J Fullerton — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 12:12:39 -0400

James Arness (AKA Marshal Matt Dillon from Gun Smoke) should be on the list. 3rd Infantry Division WWII, Bronze Star and Purple Heart. Because he was the tallest Soldier in his platoon, he was the first off his landing craft at Anzio to test the depth of the water.

Response by SSG David Peters made Apr 26 at 2017 12:15 PM

SSG David Peters — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 12:15:19 -0400

Jimi Hendrix one of the greatest guitarist ever, 101st Airborne!

Response by CPT Kevin Krebs made Apr 26 at 2017 2:19 PM

CPT Kevin Krebs — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 14:19:53 -0400

President George H. Bush, Senator Robert Dole, Senator John McCain, President Gerald Ford, President Richard Nixon, President Lyndon Johnson, President John F Kennedy, President Dwight D Eisenhower, President Harry S Truman are some other notables I didn't see mentioned above. I wonder if we will see another president in the future that has served in the military.

Response by SCPO Tom Cash made Apr 26 at 2017 3:03 PM

SCPO Tom Cash — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 15:03:55 -0400

As the Legend goes BG Jimmy Stewart shagged a ride during The Vietnam War. They were not scheduled to fly over country but the story goes that they were diverted and he was in harms way. The higher brass had a cow as I heard the story.

Response by PVT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2017 3:15 PM

PVT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 15:15:12 -0400

Seen just about all the ones I can think of, but want to mention Elvis: drafted in '58 finished E-5 in '60, and during his 2 years, met Priscilla, lost his mother, was first introduced to amphetamines, and during several leave periods recorded 10 top 40 hits

Response by SGT Brianna MacKinnon made Apr 26 at 2017 3:42 PM

SGT Brianna MacKinnon — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 15:42:26 -0400

Christine Jorgensen served in the U.S. Army during WWII. She is a hero and Celebrity for those of us who served in the Military and later came out as Transgender. Another person I look up to is CPO Kristen Beck (retired), U.S. Navy SEALS.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2017 4:15 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 16:15:37 -0400

http://blog.militaryauthority.com/blog-1/bid/tag/military-musicians

A list of my Top 10 Greatest Military Musicians I wrote a while back.
Steve Gadd maybe belongs on this list.

I think it won't be long before singer Alexis Cole belongs on this list, too.

military musicians | blog.militaryauthority.com

It’s Fun Friday! Have you been counting down (and singing along) with us to find out who the Top Ten Military Musicians have been? Well, today’s fun is finding out who is #1. Let’s get going…

Response by SPC Jim Eischen made Apr 26 at 2017 4:26 PM

SPC Jim Eischen — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 16:26:18 -0400

Spoiler alert: Captain Kangaroo and Mr. Rogers are not on the list.

Response by Sgt James Williams made Apr 26 at 2017 4:44 PM

Sgt James Williams — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 16:44:07 -0400

Don knotts, USMC DI; Jonathan Winters, USMC

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2017 6:04 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 18:04:35 -0400

Foe the fighters...randy couture, tim kennedy, rocky marciano, ken norton, brian stann....

Response by SPC Greg Montgomery made Apr 26 at 2017 6:15 PM

SPC Greg Montgomery — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 18:15:28 -0400

Let's not forget Brian Williams, he was there !

Response by SGT John C. made Apr 26 at 2017 6:36 PM

SGT John C. — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 18:36:17 -0400

Pat Sajak, Hugh Hefner, Marvin Gaye, Bill Cosby, Johnny Carson, Lawrence Tureaud aka Mr T, Bob Barker and the list goes on.

Response by Sgt Dee Watts made Apr 27 at 2017 5:31 AM

Sgt Dee Watts — Thu, 27 Apr 2017 05:31:45 -0400

Elvis Presley
Johnny Cash

Response by SGT Jon Creager made Apr 27 at 2017 6:34 AM

SGT Jon Creager — Thu, 27 Apr 2017 06:34:34 -0400

Dan Blocker aka Hoss on Bonanza.

Response by PO1 Felix Rivera made Apr 27 at 2017 11:08 AM

PO1 Felix Rivera — Thu, 27 Apr 2017 11:08:09 -0400

Prolific American author and Chief Petty Officer US Coast Guard, Alex Haley. Served in the U.S. Coast Guard for two decades before pursuing a career as a writer. Known for works like Roots, and The Autobiography of Malcolm X.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 27 at 2017 1:35 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Apr 2017 13:35:31 -0400

Johnathan Winters, WW11 combat vet.

Response by PV2 Alonzo Symalla made Apr 27 at 2017 1:49 PM

PV2 Alonzo Symalla — Thu, 27 Apr 2017 13:49:07 -0400

James Garner, US Army, Korea. Purple heart and silver star.
Matt Arness. Army. WW II, wounded at Anzio
Eddie Albert. Navy. WW II. Bronze star at Tarawa
Charles Durning. Army. WW II. Silver star, bronze star, purple heart, CIB
Charles Bronson. Army air corps. WW II. 25 missions against the Japanese as a gunner on a B 29. Purple heart

Response by LT Calvin Shirley made Apr 27 at 2017 5:22 PM

LT Calvin Shirley — Thu, 27 Apr 2017 17:22:59 -0400

Charles Durning. wounded 3 times in WWII, survivor of Malmedy.

Response by Bonnie Albery Lantzer made Apr 27 at 2017 7:59 PM

Bonnie Albery Lantzer — Thu, 27 Apr 2017 19:59:32 -0400

Love and Respect all who Serve and Protect the USA. Bonnie Albery Lantzer

Response by MSgt Christopher Schoen made Apr 27 at 2017 8:00 PM

MSgt Christopher Schoen — Thu, 27 Apr 2017 20:00:03 -0400

Drew Carey came over with the USO when we were in Iraq...that dude is funny as hell (more funny in person by a factor of 10).

Response by Justin Parker made Apr 27 at 2017 8:00 PM

Justin Parker — Thu, 27 Apr 2017 20:00:41 -0400

Response by PO1 J Lewis made Apr 27 at 2017 9:30 PM

PO1 J Lewis — Thu, 27 Apr 2017 21:30:19 -0400

Hunter S. Thomspon, USAF, early discharge "In summary, this airman, although talented, will not be guided by policy" "Sometimes his rebel and superior attitude seems to rub off on other airmen staff members."

George Carlin, USAF. Labeled an "unproductive airman" by his superiors, Carlin was discharged early on July 29, 1957. During his time in the Air Force he had been court-martialed three times, and also received many nonjudicial punishments

Response by SPC Jason Gerhardt made Apr 27 at 2017 10:12 PM

SPC Jason Gerhardt — Thu, 27 Apr 2017 22:12:55 -0400

Jimmy Hendrix - 82nd Airborne

Response by SrA John Blades made Apr 27 at 2017 10:19 PM

SrA John Blades — Thu, 27 Apr 2017 22:19:15 -0400

Ya'll forgot to mention Marine R. Lee. Ermy.

Response by CPO Mark Halsten made Apr 27 at 2017 11:16 PM

CPO Mark Halsten — Thu, 27 Apr 2017 23:16:45 -0400

Jimi Hendrix.....101st Airborne

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2017 7:15 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 07:15:50 -0400

Rubin "the Hurricane" Carter

Response by Charles Mccarver III made Apr 28 at 2017 8:26 AM

Charles Mccarver III — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 08:26:59 -0400

Nope didn't know

Response by COL Richard Todd made Apr 28 at 2017 10:54 AM

COL Richard Todd — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 10:54:39 -0400

Yes

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2017 11:06 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 11:06:22 -0400

Kris Kristofferson was a Huey Pilot in Germany during the Vietnam Era

Response by Riley Kilhefner made Apr 28 at 2017 12:16 PM

Riley Kilhefner — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 12:16:23 -0400

Johnny cash

Response by SP5 Brian Potter made Apr 28 at 2017 4:49 PM

SP5 Brian Potter — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 16:49:32 -0400

Response by 1LT D Gregg Walker made Apr 28 at 2017 5:24 PM

1LT D Gregg Walker — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 17:24:47 -0400

Jimi Hendrix 101st Airborne

Response by Gregory Dewveall made Apr 28 at 2017 6:14 PM

Gregory Dewveall — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 18:14:39 -0400

Yes

Response by MSG Lawrence Kelsey made Apr 28 at 2017 6:23 PM

MSG Lawrence Kelsey — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 18:23:00 -0400

HOOOAH!!!!!

Response by PO2 Tony Parker made Apr 28 at 2017 9:29 PM

PO2 Tony Parker — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 21:29:52 -0400

That's a great story! I served with sailors that participated in live fire NGFS in Beirut during that period. Later with those sailors received a couple of expeditionary medals. I'm still miffed when someone sees veteran on my drivers license and ask, "What "WAR" were you in?". Charlie Murphy, I could see him doing all that, and the comment about it being only three days of a six year contract, that earns a lot of respect! During the '80's (and well before then) Navy and Marines were utilized under the "Executive Privilege Act" (as I'm sure you well know of) by the President to carry out orders less than 30 days. I've got a point to tie all this together, I'm just too tired right now.....sorry

Response by CPT Jesse Diaz made Apr 29 at 2017 8:53 AM

CPT Jesse Diaz — Sat, 29 Apr 2017 08:53:56 -0400

What aggravated me about Chuck Norris was how he never shaved his beard and cut his hair while in uniform in his movies. And no, Back in the 70's and 80's special forces didn't have beards and long hair like they do today.

Response by SSG Chris Stevenson made Apr 29 at 2017 9:31 AM

SSG Chris Stevenson — Sat, 29 Apr 2017 09:31:26 -0400

No women mentioned? Juliet Childs worked for the OSS during WWII and developed a shark repellant.

Response by SrA Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2017 10:28 AM

SrA Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 29 Apr 2017 10:28:11 -0400

Bill Cosby

Response by SGT Kaye Fiorello made Apr 29 at 2017 11:42 AM

SGT Kaye Fiorello — Sat, 29 Apr 2017 11:42:32 -0400

It's a lot harder to name ten current celebrities that are veterans than to name your top ten of all time...

Response by SSG Keith Tillou made Apr 29 at 2017 2:45 PM

SSG Keith Tillou — Sat, 29 Apr 2017 14:45:03 -0400

Response by SSG Rainier Medina made Apr 29 at 2017 7:24 PM

SSG Rainier Medina — Sat, 29 Apr 2017 19:24:58 -0400

Chuck Norris is just an overall bad ass.

Response by PO2 Clayton Shotton made Apr 29 at 2017 9:55 PM

PO2 Clayton Shotton — Sat, 29 Apr 2017 21:55:23 -0400

Thank You for Your service, all of You

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Apr 29 at 2017 11:35 PM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Sat, 29 Apr 2017 23:35:27 -0400

Chuck Norris' brother was KIA in Vietnam, Battle of Ripcord.

Response by Brenda Williams made Apr 30 at 2017 12:11 AM

Brenda Williams — Sun, 30 Apr 2017 00:11:18 -0400

Has anyone stopped a read all the resonses? Have you noticed that all rhe Celeberties listed are all over the age of 40. Just sayin'.

Response by SPC Angela Juarez made Apr 30 at 2017 4:29 AM

SPC Angela Juarez — Sun, 30 Apr 2017 04:29:08 -0400

Bea Arthur USMC

Response by Lorey Kuhl-Haire made Apr 30 at 2017 5:06 PM

Lorey Kuhl-Haire — Sun, 30 Apr 2017 17:06:53 -0400

My father David Kuhl, US Air Force Korean conflict, father-in-law Frank Haire, US Navy WWII, and my son David Haire US Army, just returned from Quatar. I am extremely proud of my family's involvement in service to our country.

Response by Sgt Richard Garris made Apr 30 at 2017 7:52 PM

Sgt Richard Garris — Sun, 30 Apr 2017 19:52:18 -0400

Unless you were a total shitbird. Everyone who served has shown more loyalty than over 80% of the U.S population. This doesn't include the unfortunates who were still denied citizenship after serving in the military died while on active duty or bounced out the US a after their service. So about 17% of the roughly 321.5 million people in then US have never served in the military. Less than 10% of federally elected officials have never served. So WTF? I'm not tooting my own horn I only did 7 years before moving on to law enforcement. I'm tooting the horn for the 17% or 54.5 million who did serve. I guess we should be happy that a lot of the remaining 267 million didn't serve because a lot of them are FUBAR

Response by PO3 David Bryan made Apr 30 at 2017 8:13 PM

PO3 David Bryan — Sun, 30 Apr 2017 20:13:09 -0400

Wasn't Montel Williams a LT in the navy?

Response by SPC Larry Weigel Jr. made May 1 at 2017 7:26 AM

SPC Larry Weigel Jr. — Mon, 01 May 2017 07:26:54 -0400

Add to this list:
Robert "Bob" Keeshan, aka Captain Kangaroo - WWII
Fred Rogers, aka Mr. Rogers - WWII
They actually served together.

Don't recall seeing James Doohan, aka Montgomery Scotty (Star Trek) - WWII

Response by PO1 Randal Darrah made May 1 at 2017 2:06 PM

PO1 Randal Darrah — Mon, 01 May 2017 14:06:26 -0400

George Strait...Johnny Cash...

Response by SSgt Jordan Viens made May 1 at 2017 3:49 PM

SSgt Jordan Viens — Mon, 01 May 2017 15:49:22 -0400

Don't forget George Carlin and Hunter S. Thompson

Response by LCpl Douglas Landrith Jr made May 1 at 2017 4:30 PM

LCpl Douglas Landrith Jr — Mon, 01 May 2017 16:30:55 -0400

Bob Keeshan, Captain Kangaroo, Was in the Marine Corps Reserves.

Response by SPC Robert Brennan made May 1 at 2017 4:38 PM

SPC Robert Brennan — Mon, 01 May 2017 16:38:17 -0400

I am proud that I server in the U S Army from 1963-1966

Response by Sgt Robert Gutierrez made May 1 at 2017 7:51 PM

Sgt Robert Gutierrez — Mon, 01 May 2017 19:51:04 -0400

Don Knotts or Barney Fire of the Andy Griffith Show served in the Armed Forces as well... George W. Bush was a pilot in the Air National Guard, Drew Carrey was a Marine... And others already mentioned.

Response by SPC Dave Carroll made May 1 at 2017 7:56 PM

SPC Dave Carroll — Mon, 01 May 2017 19:56:32 -0400

Has anyone mentioned Jesse Ventura? He was a Navy SEAL in Vietnam.

Response by Nelda Taylor made May 1 at 2017 10:30 PM

Nelda Taylor — Mon, 01 May 2017 22:30:19 -0400

It makes sense that they are by the way they carry themselves

Response by SPC Michael Herron made May 2 at 2017 1:03 AM

SPC Michael Herron — Tue, 02 May 2017 01:03:35 -0400

I had no ideaaaa. Always interested in knowing vets who went on to become superstars.

Response by SPC Michael Herron made May 2 at 2017 1:05 AM

SPC Michael Herron — Tue, 02 May 2017 01:05:52 -0400

and veterans don't have to be "wartime" veterans to be distinguished with the title "Veteran". All deserve equal credit. If they were ordered to fight during their time, they would have.

Response by FN Charlie Spivey made May 2 at 2017 10:03 AM

FN Charlie Spivey — Tue, 02 May 2017 10:03:14 -0400

Martha Raye made a lot of trips to Vietnam. She was in fact an Army Nurse at one time and I believe at one point was helping injured in Vietnam.

Response by PO3 Kenneth Peterson made May 2 at 2017 12:51 PM

PO3 Kenneth Peterson — Tue, 02 May 2017 12:51:50 -0400

http://www.military.com/veteran-jobs/career-advice/military-transition/famous-veteran-chuck-norris.html

Famous Veterans: Chuck Norris

The martial arts superstar first started honing his skills while on duty in the Air Force during the Korean War.

Response by SGT Brian Sheehan made May 2 at 2017 1:19 PM

SGT Brian Sheehan — Tue, 02 May 2017 13:19:38 -0400

Bea Arthur was a truck driver in the Marine Corps during WW2

Response by CPT David Walters made May 2 at 2017 10:00 PM

CPT David Walters — Tue, 02 May 2017 22:00:26 -0400

No one has mentioned Kris Kristofferson, joined the U.S. Army and attained the rank of Captain. He became a helicopter pilot after receiving flight training at Fort Rucker, Alabama. He also completed Ranger School. During the early 1960s, he was stationed in West Germany as a member of the 8th Infantry Division.[

Response by James Taylor made May 3 at 2017 3:46 PM

James Taylor — Wed, 03 May 2017 15:46:07 -0400

Jesse Ventura, and Kirk Douglas, Harry Belefante

Response by PO2 Adrian Cummings made May 3 at 2017 3:55 PM

PO2 Adrian Cummings — Wed, 03 May 2017 15:55:24 -0400

Know Chuck Isn't

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2017 5:00 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 May 2017 17:00:19 -0400

How about some of the professional athletes left off most of these lists (I know a couple of the boxers were listed at least once):
Jack Dempsey - USCG
Shauna Rohbock (Pro Soccer & Olympic Bobsled) - Army NG
Rocky Marciano - US Army
Joe DiMaggio - Army AF
David Robinson - USN
Warren Spahn - US Army
Ty Cobb - US Army
Joe Louis - US Army
Ted Williams - US Navy
Bob Feller - US Navy
Roger Staubach - US Navy
Yogi Berra - US Navy
Willie Mays - US Army
Jackie Robinson - US Army
Rocky Bleier - US Army
Bob Kalsu - US Army - KIA Vietnam (Buffalo Bills Rookie of the Year)
Jack Lummus - USMC - KIA Iwo Jima (NY Giants end)
Pat Tillman - US Army - KIA Afghanistan (Arizona Cardinals LB)

Response by SSgt Francis McGonigal made May 3 at 2017 8:19 PM

SSgt Francis McGonigal — Wed, 03 May 2017 20:19:32 -0400

Saw a Photo of Chuck Norris while I was stationed at Osan (2nd tour). Blonde hair and a flat top. It was hanging in the Tang Soo Do class room.

Response by SPC James Fogarty made May 3 at 2017 8:44 PM

SPC James Fogarty — Wed, 03 May 2017 20:44:03 -0400

I don't remember what the original question was, but filling this out was a pain in the ass. My MOS was 91 B, which WAS combat medic. I had to scroll through to see what it is now. Just sayin'.

Response by PFC Kenneth Farrell made May 3 at 2017 9:15 PM

PFC Kenneth Farrell — Wed, 03 May 2017 21:15:12 -0400

Audie Murphy.

Response by SSgt Bob Mobbs made May 3 at 2017 9:18 PM

SSgt Bob Mobbs — Wed, 03 May 2017 21:18:52 -0400

Some of the names I didn't see in other posts:
Don Knotts ... Burgess Meredith ... Charlton Heston ...Pat O'Brien ... James Arness

Response by LCpl Private RallyPoint Member made May 4 at 2017 10:57 AM

LCpl Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 May 2017 10:57:33 -0400

Drew Carey, or should I say CPL Carey

Response by PO2 Walter Frazier made May 4 at 2017 11:33 AM

PO2 Walter Frazier — Thu, 04 May 2017 11:33:37 -0400

To me the celebrities are the men and women who do the job, therefore celebrities are just military and nothing special.

Response by CPT David Walters made May 4 at 2017 11:41 AM

CPT David Walters — Thu, 04 May 2017 11:41:15 -0400

Someone down the line mentioned their family in the Military. OK here goes. My Father SFC Jack Walters (Army) was mobilized in 1940 with the 45th Infantry Division in Oklahoma. Served in Europe, WW2, Was stationed in Occupied Japan when the Korean War broke out and deployed with the 1st Cav. , I was born in Japan. He retired in '61. I entered the Army in '66 and retired in '86. I swore my son into the Army at the Atlanta entrance station in Jan '86 . He retired in 2010. My daughter married an GA NG LT who spent 24 years on active duty retiring as a LTC. His Dad is a retired SF Major who was in Korea and Vietnam. All combined over 110 years of Army service.

Response by PV2 Glen Lewis made May 4 at 2017 2:02 PM

PV2 Glen Lewis — Thu, 04 May 2017 14:02:48 -0400

I went through a lot of these and nowhere did I find Audie Murphy. Kind of surprising that he got missed.

Response by SGT James Murphy made Jan 15 at 2019 12:56 PM

SGT James Murphy — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 12:56:45 -0500

Actually Yes I did I find it interesting that 3 out of 4 of those vets are conservatives and wonder if that is a good sampling of todays numbers?

Response by SPC Mara Manzer (Spurgin) made Jan 15 at 2019 5:16 PM

SPC Mara Manzer (Spurgin) — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 17:16:12 -0500

I didn't know that! But I am glad that you posted this so that I was able to learn more about them.

Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made Jul 8 at 2019 8:39 PM

SFC Melvin Brandenburg — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 20:39:44 -0400

How cool would it be to be pinned by Chuck Norris!

Response by SSG Keith Evans made Jul 8 at 2019 10:54 PM

SSG Keith Evans — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 22:54:11 -0400

Anyone mention Drew Carey? US Marine Corp.

Response by SP5 Richard J Jones made Jul 9 at 2019 4:14 AM

SP5 Richard J Jones — Tue, 09 Jul 2019 04:14:52 -0400

Jimi Hendrix was a Army Ranger.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2019 10:51 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 09 Jul 2019 10:51:22 -0400

Surprisingly, John Wayne is not a US Veteran.... he had a chance to enlist like other Hollywood stars back in WWII, but turned it down at the time. He said he'd later regretted that decision, and that's why he went on to make so many pro-US & pro-military movies like the Green Berets, the Sands of Iwo Jima, and the Longest Day.

Response by Sgt Thomas Proctor made Jul 9 at 2019 11:59 AM

Sgt Thomas Proctor — Tue, 09 Jul 2019 11:59:31 -0400

Yogi Berra, Ted Williams (pilot WWII, Korea) Joe DiMaggio.

Response by SSG Michael Noll made Jul 9 at 2019 2:07 PM

SSG Michael Noll — Tue, 09 Jul 2019 14:07:33 -0400

Did we all miss Elvis Presley?

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Jul 9 at 2019 3:53 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Tue, 09 Jul 2019 15:53:04 -0400

https://www.rallypoint.com/shared-links/sterling-hayden-wikipedia-the-free-encyclopedia

I always quite honestly found his story among the very best of those...his stuff is on the NARA OSS public archives website, if you all ever wanna download it as a PDF...he was the one who played mad Brig Gen Jack Ripper in Dr Strangelove....

Sterling Hayden - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia | RallyPoint

A now little known ww2 hero a merchant mariner who went USMC ran dangerous missions in the nazi infested Adriatic andmwas decorated by Marshal Tito of Yugoslavia for aiding partisans while attached to OSS and received I think a silver star look at his records downloadable asma PDF from the NARA website of the Natl archives...

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Jul 9 at 2019 3:56 PM

Capt Daniel Goodman — Tue, 09 Jul 2019 15:56:02 -0400

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_Fairbanks_Jr.

And him...he was commissioned by Navy intel, as they were apparently more flexible in WW2, I'd read, about being able to take pretty much whomever they wanted, regardless of education or lack thereof, if deemed useful...I found his involvement in the acoustic battle deception aspects on D-Day of esp intererest....

Douglas Fairbanks Jr. - Wikipedia

Douglas Elton Fairbanks Jr., KBE, DSC (December 9, 1909 – May 7, 2000), was an American actor and producer, and a decorated naval officer of World War II. He is best known for starring in such films as The Prisoner of Zenda (1937), Gunga Din (1939) and The Corsican Brothers (1941). He was the son of actor Douglas Fairbanks and was once married to Joan Crawford.