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Celebrities Who Served

by Legacy Staff

As we pay tribute to veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces, we can’t forget the famous faces who served in the military. Some of these famous folks joined at a young age, before making their mark. Others put a career in movies, music or sports on hold in order to enlist. Check out the slideshow of some of our favorite celebrities who served in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard.

Don Adams (1923–2005)

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Would you believe DON ADAMS (1923 – 2005), Agent 86 of “Get Smart,” was a drill instructor with the U.S. Marine Corps?

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DESI ARNAZ (1917 – 1986)

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In the 1950s DESI ARNAZ (1917 – 1986) and his wife Lucille Ball would become television legends. During World War II, the star of stage, film, and radio served by performing with the U.S.O. He was excluded from regular service due to a knee injury.

View Desi Arnaz’s obituary


James Arness (1923–2011)

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The future Marshall Matt Dillon of “Gunsmoke” wanted to be a naval aviator but did not meet eyesight or height requirements (he was too tall). Instead JAMES ARNESS (1923 – 2011) served as a rifleman with the U.S. Army during World War II. He was severely wounded in battle and suffered chronic leg pain the rest of life.

View the obits of other “Gunsmoke” actors


Bea Arthur (1922–2009)

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Though she once flatly denied it, military records indicate that BEA ARTHUR (1922 – 2009) served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. One of the first members of the Women’s Reserve, she spent time as a typist and truck driver.

View Bea Arthur’s obituary


James Avery (1945–2013)

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After serving with the U.S. Navy in Vietnam, JAMES AVERY (1945 – 2013) went on to a successful acting career, most notably as Phil Banks, uncle and father figure to Will Smith on TV sitcom “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.”

View James Avery’s obituary


Yogi Berra (1925–2015)

Yogi Berra Museum

YOGI BERRA (1925 – 2015) was part of one of the greatest baseball teams of all time: the postwar New York Yankees. As a catcher, alongside other baseball greats like Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle, Berra went to the World Series 14 times and won 10. Berra still holds the records for most World Series appearances and wins, but his pre-MLB career is also impressive: During World War II, Berra served in the U.S. Navy as a gunner’s mate on a six-man Navy rocket boat that was part of the D-Day invasion.

View Yogi Berra’s obituary


Bill Bixby (1934–1993)

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Before he was the Hulk, Eddie’s father, or even a Martian’s favorite nephew, BILL BIXBY (1934 – 1993) was a U.S. Marine. He served stateside with the Marines after being drafted during the Korean War.

View Bill Bixby’s obituary


Bobby Blue Bland (1930–2013)

Getty Images / Redferns / Leon Morris

During his time in the Army, legendary blues singer BOBBY BLUE BLAND (1930 – 2013) served overseas and performed in a band with singer-actor Eddie Fisher.

View Bobby Blue Bland’s obituary


Tom Bosley (1927–2010)

AP Photo

TOM BOSLEY (1927 – 2010) served in the U.S. Navy during World War II before making his mark on Broadway in “Fiorello!” and television as Mr. C of “Happy Days” and later Father Dowling.

View Tom Bosley’s obituary


Sid Caesar (1922–2014)

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SID CAESAR (1922 – 2014) practically invented television sketch comedy in the 1950s with his talented team of performers on “Your Show of Shows.” But where did Caesar hone his comedy chops? In the Coast Guard, of course, where he served and entertained his fellow troops for six years.

View Sid Caesar’s obituary


Johnny Carson (1925–2005)

Wikimedia Commons / U.S. Navy

JOHNNY CARSON (1925 – 2005) joined the U.S. Navy in 1943, when he was not quite 18 years old. He served aboard the USS Pennsylvania and was en route to the combat zone when the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki ended the war.


Johnny Cash (1932–2003)

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In the early 1950s JOHNNY CASH (1932 – 2003) served with U.S. Air Force at Landsberg, Germany as a Morse Code Intercept Operator for Soviet Army transmissions. It was there he created his first band, named “The Landsberg Barbarians.” He also was the first radio operator to pick up the news of the death of Joseph Stalin.

View Johnny Cash and June Carter’s gallery


Julia Child (1912–2004)

OSS

JULIA CHILD (1912 – 2004) joined the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) after finding that she was too tall to enlist in the Women’s Army Corps (WACs) or in the U.S. Navy’s WAVES. She began her OSS career as a typist at its headquarters in Washington, but because of her education and experience soon was given a more responsible position as a top secret researcher working directly for the head of OSS. She met future husband Paul Child while stationed in Ceylon.


Roberto Clemente (1934–1972)

AP Photo

ROBERTO CLEMENTE (1934 – 1972) was already a baseball star in his native Puerto Rico – and he had been playing with the Pittsburgh Pirates for three years – when he joined the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves in 1958. He continued to serve in the off season through 1964, even as he achieved All-Star and MVP status with the Pirates.


John Coltrane (1926–1967)

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JOHN COLTRANE (1926 – 1967) was just 19 when he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He played in the Navy jazz band, a preview of his later success as one of the greatest innovators of jazz.

View John Coltrane’s obituary


Don Cornelius (1936–2012)

AP Photo / Damian Dovarganes

DON CORNELIUS (1936 – 2012) served 18 months in Korea with the U.S. Marines. He went on to host “Soul Train,” the longest-running television dance show in history.

View Don Cornelius’ obituary


Jim Croce (1943–1973)

AP Photo

JIM CROCE (1943 – 1973) served in the Army National Guard for four months in 1966, leaving for duty just a week after his honeymoon. According to Croce, the song “Bad Bad Leroy Brown” was inspired by someone he met during his time in the Army.

View Jim Croce’s obituary


Joe DiMaggio (1914–1999)

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The “Yankee Clipper” wanted to serve in combat, but his request was denied and much of his military career was spent playing on the Army baseball team. After the war, JOE DIMAGGIO (1914 – 1999) was much in the spotlight as a star New York Yankee, frequent song subject (“Joltin’ Joe DiMaggio” and “Mrs. Robinson”) and devoted husband/ex-husband of Marilyn Monroe.

View Marilyn Monroe’s obituary


Buddy Ebsen (1908–2003)

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Dancer BUDDY EBSEN (1908 – 2003) was under contract at MGM when the U.S. entered World War II. An avid and skilled sailor, he joined the U.S. Coast Guard in 1941, serving until 1946. After the war, he co-starred in Disney’s “Davy Crockett” before landing the lead role of Jed Clampett on “The Beverly Hillbillies.”

View Buddy Ebsen’s obituary


R. Lee Ermey (1944–2018)

Getty Images / Corbis / Sunset Boulevard

From the sergeant in “Full Metal Jacket” to little green plastic army leader Sarge in “Toy Story,” R. LEE ERMEY (1944 – 2018) made his movie career playing hard-nosed military men. As an actor, Ermey had plenty of experiences to draw upon – a real-life Marine staff sergeant, he served 11 years in the Marines including more than a year in Vietnam.

View R. Lee Ermey’s obituary


Freddy Fender (1937–2006)

AP Photo / Chris Pizzello

Tejano and country music superstar FREDDY FENDER (1937 – 2006) enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps when he was 17. During his three years of service, he spent time in the brig on several occasions because of his drinking, and he was court-martialed and dishonorably discharged in 1956. According to Fender, he later received a letter from the U.S. Department of the Navy acknowledging that his dishonorable discharge was wrong due to his alcoholism, and he was given a general discharge.

View Freddy Fender’s obituary


Eddie Fisher (1928–2010)

US Army

When EDDIE FISHER (1928 – 2010) was drafted into the Army in 1951, his singing career was just starting to take off. During his year of service in Korea, Fisher sang in a band with future blues legend Bobby Blue Bland. He completed his service stateside singing with the United States Army Band.

View Eddie Fisher’s obituary


Henry Fonda (1905–1982)

Wikimedia Commons / U.S. Navy

It was a sense of patriotism that led HENRY FONDA (1905 – 1982) to join the Navy during WWII. “I don’t want to be in a fake war in a studio,” he commented.

View Henry Fonda’s obituary


Clark Gable (1901–1960)

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1939 was a good year for CLARK GABLE (1901 – 1960). He had a hit movie, “Gone With the Wind,” and he married longtime love Carole Lombard. When Lombard died in a plane crash in 1942, Gable was devastated. He enlisted in the Army Air Forces and served as an aerial gunner.

View Clark Gable’s obituary


James Garner (1928–2014)

U.S. Army

JAMES GARNER (1928 – 2014) joined the Merchant Marine and then served 14 months in Korea with the Army. Twice wounded, he was awarded two Purple Hearts. The Army also awarded him something else significant – his high school diploma.

View more TV Detectives’ obituaries


Marvin Gaye (1939–1984)

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With dreams of being a flyer, 17-year-old MARVIN GAYE (1939 – 1984) enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. Disappointed in having to perform menial tasks, he faked mental illness and was discharged shortly afterwards, according to Wikipedia.

View Marvin Gaye’s obituary


Robert Guillaume (1927 – 2017)

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ROBERT GUILLAUME (1927 – 2017) served in the Army and studied at St. Louis University and Washington University before embarking on an acclaimed career on stage and screen. He was nominated for a Tony for playing Nathan Detroit in a Broadway revival of “Guys and Dolls,” won two Emmys for his work on the sitcoms “Soap” and “Benson,” and played Rafiki in “The Lion King” (he even won a Grammy for narrating a “Lion King” book as Rafiki).

View Robert Guillaume’s obituary


Larry Hagman (1931–2012)

Everett Collection

A decade before he played an Air Force captain Tony Nelson on “I Dream of Jeannie,” LARRY HAGMAN (1931 – 2012) enlisted in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. He was stationed in London, where he spent much of his service entertaining troops in the U.K. and Europe.


Sherman Hemsley (1938–2012)

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Before he was George Jefferson, SHERMAN HEMSLEY (1938 – 2012) served four years in the U.S. Air Force after dropping out of high school.

View Sherman Hemsley’s obituary


Jimi Hendrix (1942–1970)

U.S. Army

When teenage JIMI HENDRIX (1942 – 1970) was arrested for stealing cars, he was given a choice: prison or the Army? Hendrix chose the latter and by all accounts enjoyed his time as a soldier about as much as he would have enjoyed being a prisoner (though he did find time to jam). The feeling may have been mutual: the Army discharged him for “unsuitability” after just one year.

View Jimi Hendrix’s obituary


Charlton Heston (1923–2008)

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CHARLTON HESTON (1923 – 2008) enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. After the war he and his wife Lydia moved from Chicago to New York to try and launch their acting careers.

View more Action Heroes’ obituaries


George Jones (1931–2013)

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GEORGE JONES (1931 – 2013) served as a U.S. Marine and was stationed in San Jose, California, until his discharge in 1953. In 1954 he released his first record, had his first hit with “Why Baby Why” in 1955, and by 1956 had been invited to sing at the Grand Ole Opry.

View George Jones’ obituary


Don Knotts (1924–2006)

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Urban legend has it that the man also known as Barney Fife and Mr. Furley was a tough-as-nails drill instructor in the U.S. Marine Corps. While that story is a myth, DON KNOTTS (1924 – 2006) did serve in the military. He enlisted in the Army after high school and spent most of his service during World War II entertaining the troops.

View Don Knotts’ obituary


Harvey Korman (1927–2008)

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Chicago native HARVEY KORMAN (1927 – 2008) served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After the war he turned to theater and then television, finding fame as the foil of Carol Burnett and Tim Conway on “The Carol Burnett Show.”

View Harvey Korman’s obituary


Nancy Kulp (1921–1991)

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Before she was Miss Jane Hathaway on “The Beverly Hillbillies,” NANCY KULP (1921 – 1991) served with the WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) during World War II.

View Nancy Kulp’s obituary


Meadowlark Lemon (1932–2015)

AP Photo / Bebeto Matthews

As a boy, MEADOWLARK LEMON (1932 – 2015) dreamed of becoming a Harlem Globetrotter. After attending Florida A&M University and serving in the U.S. Army during the early 1950s, Lemon’s dream came true. He was named to the team in 1955 and entertained audiences for decades to come with his half-court hook shots and basketball-spinning antics.

View Meadowlark Lemon’s obituary


George Lindsey (1928–2012)

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GEORGE LINDSEY (1928 – 2012), aka Goober Pyle, served in the U.S. Air Force after college. His fictional “Andy Griffith Show” cousin, Gomer Pyle, served in the Marines to great comedic effect.

View George Lindsey’s obituary


Joe Louis (1914–1981)

U.S. Army

Boxing legend JOE LOUIS (1914 – 1981) enlisted as a private in the Army in January 1942. When asked about his decision to enter the racially segregated U.S. Army, Louis’ explanation was simple: “Lots of things wrong with America, but Hitler ain’t going to fix them.”


Ed McMahon (1923–2009)

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ED MCMAHON (1923 – 2009) was a Marine fighter pilot and flight instructor during World War II. An officer in the reserves, he was called to active duty again in the Korean War. He retired as a colonel and later was made an honorary brigadier general in the California Air National Guard.

View Ed McMahon’s obituary


Steve McQueen (1930–1980)

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“King of Cool” STEVE MCQUEEN (1930 – 1980) was already a rebel when he joined the U.S. Marines in 1947. Initially he rebelled against but later came to embrace the military’s strict discipline.

View Steve McQueen’s obituary


Glenn Miller (1904–1944)

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One of the top selling artists in the U.S. from 1939 to 1943, big band leader GLENN MILLER (1904 – 1944) was at the height of his success when he joined the U.S. Army during World War II. Miller led the Army Air Force Band, entertaining troops at home and abroad until 1944 when his plane went down over the English Channel. No trace of plane or passengers has ever been found, and Miller is officially listed as missing in action.

View Glenn Miller’s obituary


Paul Newman (1925–2008)

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PAUL NEWMAN (1925 – 2008) served with the U.S. Navy in the Pacific during World War II. After the war he earned his college degree at Kenyon, studied at the Yale School of Drama, then moved to New York to try and make it as an actor.


Leonard Nimoy (1931–2015)

Army Times

In 1953, struggling actor LEONARD NIMOY (1931 – 2015) enlisted in the United States Army Reserve at Fort McPherson, Georgia. Rising to the rank of sergeant, Nimoy spent some of his time in the military with the Army Special Services, putting on shows which he wrote, narrated, and emceed. When his service ended in 1955, Nimoy had a new wife and baby – and perhaps a new determination to make it as an actor in Los Angeles.

View Leonard Nimoy’s obituary


Fess Parker (1924–2010) 

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FESS PARKER (1924 – 2010) enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II, hoping to become a fighter pilot. Like James Arness, Parker was deemed too tall… but the 6-foot-6-inch actor was just right as “King of the Wild Frontier” Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone a few years later.

View Fess Parker’s obituary


Elvis Presley (1935–1977)

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Already the king of rock ‘n’ roll, ELVIS PRESLEY (1935 – 1977) paused his wildly successful career as a singer and actor to join up. He insisted on being treated like any other soldier while he served 18 months at an Army base in Germany.


Ronald Reagan (1911–2004)

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RONALD REAGAN (1911 – 2004) enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves in 1937 while working as a radio sports announcer for the University of Iowa and Chicago Cubs. He was just starting to make a name for himself in Hollywood when he was called up for active duty in 1942. After the war, he resumed his acting career and became active in politics, eventually being elected governor of California and later president of the United States.

View more about Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan


Jackie Robinson (1919–1972)

undefined / Hulton Archive / Murray Garrett

JACKIE ROBINSON (1919 – 1972) was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1942 and spent part of his military career coaching Army athletics. It was there that the multi-talented athlete was inspired to pursue a career in baseball.


Wayne Rogers (1933–2015)

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WAYNE ROGERS (1933 – 2015) made his mark playing an Army doctor on television. But before he was Trapper John M.D. on “M*A*S*H,” Rogers served in the U.S. Navy.

View Wayne Rogers’ obituary


Cesar Romero (1907–1994)

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Before he was the Joker to television’s Batman, CESAR ROMERO (1907 – 1994) served with the U.S. Coast Guard in the Pacific during World War II.

View Cesar Romero’s obituary


Mickey Rooney (1920–2014)

U.S. Army

MICKEY ROONEY (1920 – 2014) was already a mega-star when he was drafted into the Army in 1944. He served 21 months putting his talent to good use on armed forces radio and entertaining troops in combat zones.

View child actors’ obituaries


Nipsey Russell (1918–2005)

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NIPSEY RUSSELL (1918 – 2005) served as a medic in the U.S. Army during World War II, returning from Europe as a second lieutenant. By the 1960s the comedian would be known by a different title: “poet laureate of television.”

View Nipsey Russell’s obituary


Babe Ruth (1895–1948)

Library of Congress

BABE RUTH (1895 – 1948) began his legendary baseball career in 1914, the same year the U.S. entered World War I. He didn’t serve in WWI (his number was never called) but did enlist with the New York National Guard in 1924.

View Babe Ruth’s obituary


Pete Seeger (1919–2014)

Getty Images / New York Times / Sam Falk

Folk music icon PETE SEEGER (1919 – 2014) served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Initially trained as an airplane mechanic, he was reassigned to entertain the American troops. When people asked him what he did in the war, he always answered: “I strummed my banjo.” A lifelong pacifist, Seeger later would become an outspoken critic of the Vietnam War.

View Pete Seeger’s obituary


James Stewart (1908–1997)

Wikimedia Commons / U.S. Air Force

JAMES STEWART (1908 – 1997) paused his movie career to serve in World War II, but he didn’t leave the service when the war was over. Stewart remained in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, eventually rising to the rank of major general, while maintaining his status as one of the most popular and beloved actors of all time.

View James Stewart’s obituary


Pat Tillman (1976–2004)

AP Photo

PAT TILLMAN (1976 – 2004) was playing with the Arizona Cardinals when the tragedy of 9/11 inspired him to join the U.S. Army. He became an Army Ranger and served several tours before he died in Afghanistan.

View Pat Tillman’s obituary


Joseph Wapner (1919–2017)

Getty Images / Silver Screen Collection

Before serving as a judge on “The People’s Court,” Hollywood native JOSEPH WAPNER (1919 – 2017) served the people of Los Angeles for two decades as a municipal and superior court judge. Wapner also served in the Army during World War II.

View Joseph Wapner’s obituary


Adam West (1928–2017)

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Before he served the people of Gotham, “Batman” star ADAM WEST (1928 – 2017) served his country as a U.S. Army television announcer on the American Forces Network.

View Adam West’s obituary


CHRISTOPHER WONG WON (1964 – 2017)

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Rapper CHRISTOPHER WONG WON (1964 – 2017) immigrated to New York City from Trinidad and Tobago with his family at age 12. After graduating high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served four years based in California, where he met David Hobbs and Yuri Vielot. As Fresh Kid Ice (Won), DJ Mr. Mixx (Hobbs), and Amazig Vee (Vielot), the three formed the rap group 2 Live Crew. They would go on to create considerable controversy with their sexual themes and explicit lyrics.

View Christopher Wong Won’s obituary

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