Who is the most famous celebrity who served in the military?

CH (MAJ) William Beaver — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 11:02:01 -0400

There was Elvis, of course. But I believe Major General Jimmy Stewart is the most famous US celebrity to have served in the military. He ended his career in the US Air Force Reserve. Who would you say is the most famous celebrity to have served?

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jul 3 at 2015 11:03 AM

PO1 John Miller — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 11:03:32 -0400

Audy Murphy, MOH recipient!

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Jul 3 at 2015 11:05 AM

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 11:05:05 -0400

Bet you didn't know this!
In 1945, Scott joined the Marines and was posted to Arlington National Cemetery. His subsequent four-year tour was marked with heavy drinking and a raft of nose-breaking barroom brawls.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jul 3 at 2015 11:05 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 11:05:29 -0400

Wow, the list is huge.

But I'd have to go with President Reagan.

Clint Eastwood is pretty high on the list, and so is Leonard Nimoy though.

Steve McQueen is a definite contender though.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 3 at 2015 11:06 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 11:06:19 -0400

Dont forget Clark Gable. Observer-Gunner on a B-17 in the ETO.

Response by FN Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 3 at 2015 11:06 AM

FN Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 11:06:36 -0400

Drew Carey USMC "the price is right host"

Response by MAJ David Vermillion made Jul 3 at 2015 11:07 AM

MAJ David Vermillion — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 11:07:07 -0400

Without question, Audy Murphy because of what he did in combat, that makes him extra special.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 3 at 2015 11:09 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 11:09:15 -0400

http://www.ijreview.com/2014/11/201001-3-us-military-24-celebrities-served/

Response by CAPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 3 at 2015 11:09 AM

CAPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 11:09:56 -0400

I'd have to say Senator John McCain. His military service is part of his celebrity.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 3 at 2015 11:13 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 11:13:04 -0400

While I agree that Jimmy Stewart & Elvis are the obvious choices, I'm choosing Pat Tillman...U.S. Army Ranger and the epitome of self-sacrifice and honor.

Response by SP5 Joel O'Brien made Jul 3 at 2015 11:26 AM

SP5 Joel O'Brien — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 11:26:18 -0400

I'd have to say Elvis is the most famous but that's not to degrade other celebs that served too.
Radio DJ Casey Kasem and Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajack both served with the Army. Orchestra leader Glenn Miller and actor Clark Gable both served in the Army Air Forces and President Ronald Reagan(an Army Captain during WWII) was the officer who signed Gable's discharge papers.

Response by Col Edward Holland made Jul 3 at 2015 11:34 AM

Col Edward Holland — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 11:34:33 -0400

If you are including politicians like Reagan, McCain, and even Kerry, then President George H. W. Bush, Navy Pilot, WWII is a better choice, in my opinion.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Jul 3 at 2015 11:40 AM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 11:40:55 -0400

Jimi Hendrix enlisted in 1961 and was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division in Kentucky.
When authorities caught Hendrix riding in stolen cars in Seattle, they gave him two options — go to jail, or join the Army.

Response by SFC Jeremy Stocker made Jul 3 at 2015 11:48 AM

SFC Jeremy Stocker — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 11:48:44 -0400

Elvis Presley was kind of famous.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 3 at 2015 12:19 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 12:19:58 -0400

Modern age, Drew Carey, served in th Marines, still gives back every chance he gets.

Response by SSG Paul Setterholm made Jul 3 at 2015 1:05 PM

SSG Paul Setterholm — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 13:05:22 -0400

Blake Clark,Walter Matthau,rod stiger,Johnny cash,Sidney Poitier, presidents Eisenhower,Roosevelt,bush sr.,grant,Washington,Jackson,Kennedy,governors bob dole,joe foss,George McGovern,secretary of state bob Kerry. Too many to list

Response by CPT Pedro Meza made Jul 3 at 2015 1:11 PM

CPT Pedro Meza — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 13:11:35 -0400

John Curtis Holmes (Johnny Wad), US ARMY!

Response by SN Greg Wright made Jul 3 at 2015 1:20 PM

SN Greg Wright — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 13:20:28 -0400

I think any list of this nature has to include the Gipper, doesn't it?

Response by SPC Jeffrey Bly made Jul 3 at 2015 2:44 PM

SPC Jeffrey Bly — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 14:44:23 -0400

I'm the most famous, but I try to keep a low profile.

Response by SSG Eric Trace made Jul 3 at 2015 3:39 PM

SSG Eric Trace — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 15:39:43 -0400

I would say Jimmy Stewart

Response by SSG Robert Webster made Jul 3 at 2015 4:28 PM

SSG Robert Webster — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 16:28:54 -0400

Depends on what your definition of celebrity is.
Just to stir the pot a little bit -
General of the Army Douglas MacArthur
General of the Army Omar Nelson Bradley

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Jul 3 at 2015 4:32 PM

LTC Bink Romanick — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 16:32:34 -0400

LEE Marvin

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Jul 3 at 2015 4:33 PM

LTC Bink Romanick — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 16:33:32 -0400

Elvis was a tanker!

Stay on the tank.

Response by CSM Jennifer Dehorty made Jul 3 at 2015 4:38 PM

CSM Jennifer Dehorty — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 16:38:55 -0400

Bea Arthur.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 3 at 2015 8:46 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 03 Jul 2015 20:46:35 -0400

Interesting question....do you mean most famous celebrities that people know serviced in the military then Elvis and General Stewart are obvious choices.

But is you mean just famous celebrities that maybe people dont know served they there is a whole host of random names out there:

Mr. T
Pat Sajak
Hugh Hefner
Ice T
MC Hammer
Mel Brooks
Harvey Keitel
Gene Hackman
Dennis Franz
Bill Cosby

to name just a few ....

Anyway.....I think Chuck Norris is probably on the top 10 list for this topic.

Response by SGT Joe Sabedra made Jul 4 at 2015 9:40 AM

SGT Joe Sabedra — Sat, 04 Jul 2015 09:40:09 -0400

Clint Eastwood was stationed at Ft. Ord California. He later became the Mayor of Carmel while I was stationed there.

Response by SGT Joe Sabedra made Jul 4 at 2015 9:42 AM

SGT Joe Sabedra — Sat, 04 Jul 2015 09:42:53 -0400

CPT. Kangaroo and Mr Rogers.

Response by SSgt Charles Edwards made Jul 4 at 2015 9:56 AM

SSgt Charles Edwards — Sat, 04 Jul 2015 09:56:47 -0400

There are many good answers here, but being a sports junkie, I'm going with Ted Williams. His service spanned throughout much of his career and he lost full seasons in the Majors because of it. Of course, that was a different time. It wasn't unusual for professional athletes to put their careers on hold and serve their country. Williams stands out because he did it over the course of two wars (WWII & Korea). He separated in 1953 with the rank of Captain.

https://www.mca-marines.org/leatherneck/remembering-ted-williams-marine-fighter-pilot

Response by CPO Kenneth Wilkinson made Jul 5 at 2015 12:32 AM

CPO Kenneth Wilkinson — Sun, 05 Jul 2015 00:32:26 -0400

I served with Jay North on the USS DIXIE AD-14. He was a Boatswain Mate. chipping paint.

Response by CPO Kenneth Wilkinson made Jul 5 at 2015 12:32 AM

CPO Kenneth Wilkinson — Sun, 05 Jul 2015 00:32:37 -0400

I served with Jay North on the USS DIXIE AD-14. He was a Boatswain Mate. chipping paint.

Response by PO1 Rick Serviss made Jul 5 at 2015 3:21 AM

PO1 Rick Serviss — Sun, 05 Jul 2015 03:21:26 -0400

JFK

Response by MSgt Wayne Morris made Jul 5 at 2015 8:46 AM

MSgt Wayne Morris — Sun, 05 Jul 2015 08:46:14 -0400

Gomer Pyle (just kidding)! Famous and funny, George Carlin!

Response by TSgt Kevin Miller made Jul 30 at 2015 12:49 AM

TSgt Kevin Miller — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 00:49:16 -0400

Jimmy Stewart for sure!!!!

Response by Iona Kranz made Feb 2 at 2017 6:32 PM

Iona Kranz — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 18:32:33 -0500

What about Audey Murphey?