Ever wondered just how many of your favourite celebrities have served in the armed forces? Chances are that number is pretty low, especially when looking at young celebrities. If you’re a fan of older celebrities, however, the number of them who’ve served gets larger. You might not have thought some of these guys actually served in real life.
Clark Gable
Famous for his role as Rhett Butler in ‘Gone With the Wind’ served in the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. His military career took him from potato peeler to gunnery instructor to combat pilot and finally the First Motion Picture Unit. Gable was relieved of duty in June of 1944.
Alan Alda
Best known for his role as Hawkeye on M*A*S*H, actually served in the Korean War. He served only six months as a gunnery officer in the U.S. Army Reserve instead of a surgeon on the front lines.
Bill Cosby
Famous for his role on The Cosby Show, Bill Crosby also served in the Korean War as a Hospital Corpsman. Cosby served in the Navy as a medical aide on ships and in military hospitals. He was made honorary Chief Petty Officer in 2011 and you watch the video of this here:
Chuck Norris
Carlos Ray “Chuck” Norris is best known for his role on Walker, Texas Ranger and an internet meme that just won’t go away, served in the U.S. Air Force as an Air Policeman. He was trained in the martial art of Tang Soo Do while stationed in South Korea and later created his own martial art: Chun Kuk Do.
Drew Carey
Drew served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve from 1980-1986 before beginning his show business career. Carey is best known for The Drew Carey Show, Who’s Line Is It Anyway?, and The Price Is Right.
Hugh Hefner
The famous Playboy served as an infantry clerk during World War II. Although he was awarded a sharpshooter badge during Basic Training, Hefner spent most of the war writing and drawing cartoons for a military newspaper.
Ice-T
Currently starring in Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, served four years in the U.S, Army. It was in the army that Ice-T became interested in hip hop music and started rapping. Ice-T left the army four months early after learning he could be honorably discharged for being a single father.
Montel Williams
Former talk show host, served in both the U.S. Marines and the Navy. He was the first African American to complete and graduate from Academy Prep School and Annapolis. Williams discovered his public speaking talent while counseling his fellow shipmates aboard the submarines they served on.
Mr. T
Best known for his roles in The A-Team and Rocky III, served in the U.S. Army Military Police Corps during the 1970’s. In 1975, Mr. T was named “Top Trainee of the Cycle” from a pool of 6,000 troops.
Tom Selleck
Served in the 160th Infantry Regiment of the California National Guard. His regiment was activated in 1965 for the Watts Riots in Los Angeles. Tom Selleck is best known for his roles in Magnum P.I. and Blue Bloods.
