You'd Never Guess These Stars Wore Uniforms

What do Morgan Freeman, Drew Carey and Adam Driver have in common? Sure, they all act for a living, but before the spotlight many of them wore a very different outfit. From branches of the U.S. military to local police forces, a surprising number of famous faces once answered a call to serve. Curious what jobs they had in uniform and how it shaped them? Keep reading, every story takes its own path.

Morgan Freeman: Radar Repairman in the Air Force

Freeman was already acting as a kid, yet he chose to enlist in the U.S. Air Force instead of taking a drama scholarship. He trained as an Automatic Tracking Radar Repairman and served four years, rising to Airman 1st Class. The job taught discipline, but he eventually left because the work did not feel like his true calling. As he put it, "You are not in love with this; you are in love with the idea of this."

Drew Carey: Reservist Who Kept the Crew Cut

You might not picture Drew Carey as a Marine, but he served in the reserves from 1981 to 1987. While in uniform he also held down civilian gigs, working as a bank teller and waiting tables at Denny's. It was during that time he adopted the crew cut that became part of his public image. The military years were a steadying chapter before his comedy career took off.

Gene Wilder: Drafted, Yet Still Chasing Acting

When Wilder was drafted at 23 he didn't let the army derail his dreams. After bootcamp he landed in the medical corps and picked Valley Forge Army Hospital in Pennsylvania, mostly because it was close to New York where he was taking acting classes. He spent his service there and was discharged two years later, then returned full force to pursue acting. The time in uniform didn’t stop him from following his passion.

Willie Nelson: Brief Air Force Service

Willie Nelson was drafted into the U.S. Air Force at 18 in 1950, but his military career was short-lived. He was discharged after nine months because of back problems. Nelson tried college briefly after leaving the service, then dropped out to focus on music. That decision led him to a legendary career in country music.

Willie Nelson

Willie Nelson may be associated with country music and marijuana legalization today, but back in 1950, when he was just 18, he was drafted into the United States Airforce.

He didn’t stay there long, however: Nelson was discharged just nine months after he was drafted, due to back problems. As soon as he was discharged, he signed up for university, but dropped out soon after, and began to pursue his career in music – and ultimately became one of the most successful country singers of all time.

Bea Arthur

Bea Arthur is best known for her portrayal of Maude Findlay in All in the Family and Maude, as well as for her depiction of Dorothy Zbornak in The Golden Girls - but during World War II, Arthur served in the U.S Marine Corps reserves.

“Heard last week that enlistments for women in the Marines were open, so decided the only thing to do was to join,” she wrote at the time.

She enlisted and was trained as a truck driver and a typist. She served 30 months in the military, and was discharged at the rank of Staff Sergeant.

Charles Bronson

Charles Bronson was famous for playing tough guys on screen - but his toughness wasn't limited to the camera. His life was tough and harsh from the very beginning: born to a poor immigrant family in Pennsylvania, Bronson was one of 14 siblings.

As soon as he was old enough, Bronson went off to work in the coal mines, and worked there until he graduated high school. As soon as he graduated, Bronson was drafted into the Army, where he served as an aerial gunner in World War II. He participated in 25 missions and received a Purple Heart for his bravery and injuries - so really, he was more of a tough guy in real life than he was in film!

Dan Blocker

Dan Blocker is probably best remembered for his role in Bonanza - but even if he hadn't gone into acting at all, he would probably still be remembered by history for his service in the Korean War. Blocker was drafted in 1951 and became an infantry sergeant, serving in several infantry battalions.

Wounded during his service, Blocker received a Purple Heart for his dedication and perseverance, but his military honors don't stop there: he was also awarded a National Defense Service Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Korean War Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, and Korean Service Medal with two 3/16 bronze campaign stars - making him nothing short of a war hero.

Clint Eastwood

Clint Eastwood is probably best known as the archetype of the white hat cowboy - but before his acting days, Eastwood served in the Navy in California's Fort Ord during the Korean War.

Eastwood was a swimming instructor during his service, but got to experience some action nonetheless.

One day, when he was returning home to visit his family, Eastwood caught a ride with a Navy plane. That was his first time flying, and due to some engine trouble, the pilot was forced to make an emergency landing in the ocean, more than a mile from shore. Eastwood and the pilot began swimming, in what he later described as "stark terror."

Years later, he discovered that not only was the crash site over a mile from shore - it was, in fact, a shark breeding ground!

Mickey Rooney

Mickey Rooney was an extremely successful comedian - and he actually started his career during his service in World War II.

Rooney wanted to be drafted to do his part in fighting the good fight, but was dismissed from service due to his high blood pressure. Still, Rooney insisted and volunteered to join. He was assigned to the Armed Forces Radio, where his entertaining personality shined through. He was eventually assigned to entertain troops all throughout the European front, and even received a bronze star for his outstanding service.

Chuck Norris

One celebrity that will probably not surprise anyone with his military record is Chuck Norris. The Walker, Texas Ranger star served in 1958 as an Air Policeman in South Korea. During his 4-year stint in the Air Force, Norris found his passion for Korean martial arts. He trained in Tang Soo Do, and eventually founded his own fighting style, dubbed Chun Kuk Do - which translates to "Universal Way".

Following his service, Norris went on to act as a martial artist in Hollywood - which paved his way to international stardom and internet meme fame.

Rob Riggle

We know Rob Riggle for his comedic roles in shows like SNL and The Daily Show, as well as films like The Hangover.

Riggle likes to play the goofy everyman, but in real life he's actually anything but. Back in 1990, Riggle joined the U.S. Marine Corps, and served for 23 years, up until 2013. Riggle reached the impressive rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Marine reserves, serving in multiple roles and going on tours of duty all over the world.

Johnny Cash

Johnny Cash, the Man in Black, was actually born J.R. Cash - but when he turned 18 and joined the U.S. Air Force in 1950, the use of initials as a first name wasn't allowed, and he ended up with the name "John."

Cash was trained as a Morse code Operator, and was stationed in Germany for 3 years as part of the Security Service Unit. He was apparently quite skilled at his job, and during his service had the distinct privilege of being the first American to learn that Joseph Stalin had died.

Hugh Hefner

Hugh Hefner is best known as the ultimate millionaire playboy, having made his fortune from, well… Playboy magazine. His lavish, decadent lifestyle was the stuff of legend - but before he became the cultural icon he's known for today, Hefner served in the military - during World War II.

Hefner enlisted straight out of high school, and served two years as an infantry clerk and as a writer for a military newspaper - which is where he got the editorial chops that helped him become a magazine pioneer.

Fred Durst

When you think of rap-metal band Limp Bizkit's front man, Fred Durst, a highly disciplined military life isn't the first thing to come to mind. But Durst actually served in the US Navy before he turned to a musical career, and even met his first wife and mother of his daughter there, Rachel Tergesen.

Durst left the Navy after two years of service, due to a skateboard injury. After he was discharged, Durst returned home to Jacksonville, where he eventually got Limp Bizkit started.

Sean Connery

For most of us, Sean Connery will always be "in her Majesty's Secret Service" as the double-o agent James Bond - but the Scottish actor actually served in the Royal Navy in real life, too. He served for three years, and would have liked to serve more, but was discharged due to a severe stomach ulcer. Following his service, Connery worked all sorts of jobs, including bodybuilding and truck driving, until he finally found his way into acting.

Mel Brooks

Mel Brooks - born Melvin Kaminsky - changed the face of American comedy with his movies. Blazing Saddles and the Producers are true comedic masterpieces, but the man behind them didn't always write comedy.

During World War II, Private Kaminsky served in the 1104 Engineer Combat Battalion, where he diffused enemy landmines in Europe.

“I was a Combat Engineer. Isn’t that ridiculous?" Brooks once said of his military service. "The two things I hate most in the world are combat and engineering.”

Gal Gadot

Gal Gadot is famous for portraying the fierce Amazonian Wonder Woman, but she's pretty fierce in real life, too!

Like most Israelis, when Gadot was around 19, after winning the Miss Israel 2004 beauty pageant, she got drafted into the Israeli military, where she served the mandatory two years as a combat instructor.

But the experience was far from being a traumatic one - in many interviews, Gadot expressed pride at her service, and even said it helped prepare her for Hollywood.

Jimi Hendrix

Jimi Hendrix is known for his psychedelic guitar playing and involvement with the Flower Children's movement - not exactly things you would associate with military service. Nevertheless, Jimi did serve in the armed forces!

When he was 19, he was caught driving a stolen car, and at his trial the judge gave him a choice: military… or prison.

Jimi chose military service and was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division - but even the army's drill sergeants couldn't break Jimi's spirit, and he was honorably discharged due to "unsuitability."

Tom Selleck

Tom Selleck's most memorable role is that of private investigator Thomas Magnum - but the tough Magnum, P.I. star also had a different job in his past: military service.

Selleck served in the 160th Infantry Regiment of the California Army National Guard in the early '60s - one of the National Guard units that were used to quell the Watts Riots in Los Angeles in 1965. Today, Selleck is still involved with the military, as a spokesperson for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.

Alan Alda

Alan Alda's portrayal of Hawkeye Pierce in MASH is truly unforgettable, and no doubt informed by his actual military service.

Alda served in Korea in the late '50s, after training at Fordham University's Reserve Officers' Training program. Following his graduation, Alda stayed at Fort Benning for a year, and was then sent as a junior officer to Korea.

“They had designs of making me into an officer but, uh … it didn’t go so well," Alda said once in a speech at Southern Connecticut State University. "I was in charge of a mess tent. Some of that made it into the show."

Leonard Nimoy

Star Trek was not only a pioneering science fiction television show, it also carried a subversive anti-war message in its depiction of a utopian future. So some might say that the fact that Leonard Nimoy, the actor who played the iconic Spock, served in the military, is highly illogical.

It makes a little more sense when you look at the details of his service, though. Nimoy was drafted when he was 22 years old, and served in the Army Special Services, where he put on performances and shows to entertain the troops.

Paul Newman

When he was about 20, Paul Newman decided he wanted to be a Navy pilot. He enlisted and tried out for the pilot training program, but was rejected due to colorblindness. Instead, he was trained as a radioman and rear gunner - and served in the Pacific theater during the war.

After the war ended, Newman went back to college and eventually became an actor.

Humphrey Bogart

Humphrey Bogart didn't exactly find himself in school. His grades weren't great, and he eventually got expelled. Finding himself out of school, he decided to join the Navy.

He completed his training just as World War I was ending, and so most of his service was spent ferrying Troops back from Europe.

“At eighteen, war was great stuff," Bogart later said of his service. "Paris! Sexy French girls! Hot damn!”

MC Hammer

STOP. It's military service time.

After he dropped out of college, MC Hammer felt like he was facing a choice. He could either become a drug dealer… or enlist.

In 1980, the future hip hop star joined the US Navy, and served in Mountain View, California. While no parachutes were involved in his service, he did reach the rank of Petty Officer Third Class, and was honorably discharged after three years.

Ernest Hemingway

Ernest Hemingway was pretty macho. Some might claim he actually invented the idea of the macho author. Hunting, drinking and writing were all equally manly in Hemingway's eyes, but despite his tough persona, he didn't serve in a combat role.

That's not to say he didn't see any action, though. During World War I, Hemingway joined the Red Cross, and became an ambulance driver in Italy.

In Milan, he witnessed a munitions factory explosion, and received the Italian Silver Medal of Bravery after he rescued Italian soldiers from mortar fire, receiving severe wounds in the process himself.

James Stewart

James Stewart was something of an overachiever. Stewart was named the third-greatest male screen legend of the Golden Age of Hollywood by the American Film Institute, second only to Humphrey Bogart and Cary Grant - but in addition to his prolific career as an actor, he was also quite successful as a military officer in the reserves.

Stewart served in both World War II and the Vietnam War, and attained the rank of Brigadier General - making him the highest ranked actor in Hollywood's history.

Kirk Douglas

Kirk Douglas always knew he wanted to be an actor - but after World War II broke out, he decided his country came first, and enlisted.

Douglas became a communications officer in the Navy, and served for 3 years before he was discharged due to injuries he sustained during the war.

After his service, Douglas returned home to New York City and resumed his acting career.

Jamie Farr

Alan Alda isn't the only MASH actor who served in the military. Jamie Farr, who played Maxwell Klinger on the show, served in the Army, and was deployed in both Korea and Japan, serving with the 6th Infantry Division Fort Ord California. The dog tags Jamie Farr wears on the show are actually his own.

Robert Duvall

Robert Duvall's father was an admiral in the U.S. Navy, so it made sense that he decided to join the Army when he was of age. But unlike his father, Duvall wasn't really cut out for military life.

“Some stories have me shooting it out with the Commies from a foxhole over in Frozen Chosin. Pork Chop Hill stuff. Hell, I barely qualified with the M-1 rifle in basic training," he once commented on stories that circulated about his service.

He served for a year before he was discharged at the rank of private first class.

Kurt Vonnegut

It won't surprise anyone who's read Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse 5 to learn that the author spent time in the military.

America entered World War II after the Pearl Harbor attacks, and Vonnegut was enlisted in 1943.

He was deployed in Europe and fought in the Battle of the Bulge, and, like his fictional Slaughterhouse 5 character, ended up in a Nazi Prisoner of War camp - an experience which informed his writing and greatly influenced his life.

Carl Reiner

The beloved Carl Reiner actually owes his career as an entertainer to his military service.

In 1943, the 21-year-old Reiner was drafted, and trained as a radio operator, but he soon fell ill and was transferred to Georgetown University, where he learned French, and then sent to Hawaii to work as a teleprinter operator. There, he auditioned for a play, which led him to be transferred to Special Services, where he was deployed as a performer to entertain troops in the Pacific. The rest, as they say, is history.

Ice-T

Ice-T, born Tracy Marrow, is a hugely successful hip hop artist and actor - but he wasn't born into a life of privilege. Ice-T spent his youth out on the streets of Los Angeles, selling drugs and stealing car radios in order to scrape by. But when his girlfriend got pregnant, he decided it was time to straighten himself out, and he enlisted in the Army.

He served in the 25th Infantry Division, based in Hawaii, between 1979 and 1983, and after he returned home, went on to pursue one of the most successful careers in entertainment history.

Bob Hope

When Bob Hope joined the United Service Organizations (USO) during World War II, he was already a successful entertainer. The USO provides entertainment services for members of the military and their family members, and Hope was one of its most active members, having headlines 57 tours in 6 wars.

In 1997, president Bill Clinton named him an honorary veteran. An emotional Hope said in his acceptance speech, “I’ve been given many awards in my lifetime — but to be numbered among the men and women I admire most — is the greatest honor I have ever received.”

Jackie Robinson

Jackie Robinson was the first African American Major League Baseball player - but he was a civil rights activist long before he started a professional career in baseball.

Robinson was drafted in 1942 to serve in World War II as part of the 761st "Black Panthers" Tank Battalion, the first black tank unit to see combat in the war.

Robinson himself, however, wasn't deployed in Europe, because he was held up in military court proceedings after he refused to move to the back of an army bus. He was eventually transferred to another battalion, and was honorably discharged in 1944.

Marvin Gaye

Marvin Gaye dropped out of high school to join the Air Force, where he became a basic airman - but it soon became clear to him the military service was not for him. He refused to follow orders, and the menial tasks he was given were not to his liking, to say the least.

He was eventually discharged, and later became an influential recording artist with hits like "I Heard it Through the Grapevine."

Bob Barker

Bob Barker entered America's living rooms as the host of The Price is Right, but during World War II, he actually served as a fighter pilot for the Navy.

He attended Drury University on a basketball scholarship when World War II broke out, but he himself never got to see action because the war ended before he received his wings.

After he was discharged, he returned to school and got a degree in economics - which is a pretty fitting degree for the host of The Price is Right, when you think about it.

Joe DiMaggio

Joe DiMaggio was a huge baseball star back in 1943, but that didn't stop him from volunteering to enlist to the United States Army to join the war effort.

DiMaggio didn't see action during his service, and served primarily as a physical fitness instructor - and was released after serving for two years due to multiple stomach ulcers. Soon after he was discharged, he returned to play Major League Baseball.

Sammy Davis Jr.

Sammy Davis Jr. led a sheltered life, and was blissfully unaware of the racial tensions that were splitting America apart. Only after he was drafted in World War II, did his outlook on racial prejudice in the States changed.

“Overnight the world looked different," Davis recalled. "It wasn’t one color anymore… I appreciated their loving hope that I’d never need to know about prejudice and hate, but they were wrong.” He said about his parents' choice to shield him from racism.

The shock lessened, however, when Davis joined an entertainment unit and received loving applause from troopers both white and black.

Mike Farrell

Here's another MASH actor who actually served in real life as well. Mike Farrelll became famous for playing Captain B.j. Hunnicutt, and in real life he served on the US Marine Corps base in Okinawa, Japan.

Following his stint in the military, Farrell decided to pursue an acting career, and eventually landed a role in Lassie, before he was signed on to MASH, where he not only acted, but wrote and directed as well.

J.R.R. Tolkien

Many people believe that J.R.R. Tolkien's epic fantasy masterpiece, The Lord of the Rings, was inspired by his experiences in World War I.

Tolkien was drafted into the British military and sent off to the French front, where he took part in the Battle of the Somme. Most of his battalion didn't make it home, and Tolkien himself suffered multiple health issues throughout his service, including trench fever - which probably saved his life, as it was cause for his removal from the front lines.

Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley, The King, was at the height of his career when he received his draft notice. He served from 1957 to 1959 in the 3rd Armored Division, and his conscription was a huge boost to military recruitment offices throughout the nation.

“The army can do anything it wants with me. Millions of other guys have been drafted, and I don’t want to be different from anyone else,” Elvis said.

During his time in Germany as part of his deployment, he met his future wife, Priscilla Beaulieu.

J.D. Salinger

J.D. Salinger was one of America's most influential and beloved writers - but did you know that he served as an infantry soldier during World War II?

Drafted in 1942, Salinger took part in multiple battles against the Axis, including D-Day on Utah Beach, the Battle of the Bulge and the Battle of Hürtgen Forest. After the war, Salinger, who was proficient in German, stayed in Germany with the Counterintelligence Corps and took part in “Denazification” efforts.

While his experiences greatly influenced his writing, it seems as if he never truly recovered from the trauma of war.

Don Knotts

Before Don Knotts made it to national television with shows like The Andy Griffith Show, Three's Company and Search for Tomorrow, he served in the military entertaining troops on the Pacific Islands as part of an entertainment unit running a variety show called Stars and Gripes.

After his service, he completed his degree and used his military showbiz connections to bootstrap his acting career.

Harrison Ford

Harrison Ford is one of Hollywood’s most iconic stars. Having played both Indiana Jones and Han Solo, his influence over entire generations' since of cool and style is incalculable.

And while he hasn't served in the military himself, he has taken part in multiple rescue missions as a certified pilot of light aircraft and helicopters. On one rescue mission, the hiker he had picked up threw up inside his aircraft. “I can’t believe I barfed in Harrison Ford’s helicopter!” the woman later told reporters.

Jesse Ventura

Jesse Ventura is probably one of the most colorful characters in America.

Ventura, born James Janos, joined the Navy straight out of high school, and made it into the Navy SEALs. He was part of Underwater Demolition Team 12 during the Vietnam War, making him a real-life commando.

After he was discharged, Ventura entered the world of Professional Wrestling, where he adopted the persona of a blond surfer dude - and the name "Ventura" to go along with it. Pro Wrestling paved the way to acting, and Ventura became an action star, appearing alongside the likes of Arnold Schwarzenegger in Predator, and, like his colleague Arnie, became a state governor and was Governor of Minnesota between 1999 and 2003.

Johnny Carson

Johnny Carson was drafted into the U.S. Navy in 1943, and served aboard the USS Pennsylvania in the Pacific.

Starting out as a midshipman, he became a communications officer and worked as a codebreaker. Despite his impressive record, when Carson was asked what the highlight of his military career was, Carson replied that it was when he got to perform a magic trick for the United States Secretary of the Navy, James V. Forrestal.

Pat Sajak

Pat Sajak may host Wheel of Fortune now, but his military service was much closer to the plot of Good Morning Vietnam.

Sajak was drafted in 1968, and was shipped off to Vietnam, where he served as a radio DJ on Armed Forces Radio (AFR). He served 18 months in 'Nam, where he was most remembered for botching a speech to the troops by President Nixon in 1969. Sajak accidentally cut the speech early, and while he realized the mistake he had made almost immediately, it was too late to repair the damage and so he simply left it off.

John Dillinger

Unlike other people on this list, John Dillinger is infamous, rather than famous. Known as one of the Depression's greatest mobsters, Dillinger robbed at least 24 banks and escaped from prison twice before he was shot down while fleeing federal agents.

But before his life of crime, Dillinger served in the US Navy. He enlisted when he was fairly young and served as a machinist aboard the USS Utah, but a few short months into his service he deserted while the Utah was docked in Boston. It didn't take him long to start his career in crime after jumping ship.

Buster Keaton

Roger Ebert said Keaton was the “greatest actor-director in the history of the movies,” and he was already an actor when he was called to flag.

During World War I he was drafted into the US Army and was sent to France to fight with the 40th Infantry Division. Unlike many other soldiers, Keaton survived the war, but his hearing was severely impaired - a fact which didn't prevent him from becoming one of cinema's greatest and most inspirational figures.

Steve McQueen

Steve McQueen, also known as "The King of Cool," was one of Hollywood’s most prolific actors, having starred in The Cincinnati Kid, The Thomas Crown Affair, Bullitt, The Getaway and Papillion, just to name a few.

But before his success in Hollywood, he served in the Marine Corps, having been drafted in 1947. McQueen wasn't a "good" soldier, and was demoted to the rank of private seven times throughout his service. Still, despite his disciplinary issues, he saved the lives of five other marines during an Arctic weather exercise.

Pat Tillman

Pat Tillman had a promising career ahead of him in professional Football - but he turned down a $3.6 million contract with the Arizona Cardinals, choosing to enlist in the military instead.

He and his brother, who turned down a chance to play basketball with the Cleveland Indians, both enlisted, and served multiple tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Tragically, Tillman was killed in the course of duty.

Yogi Berra

Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra earned a spot on the Baseball Hall of Fame after playing with the Yankees - but interrupted his career in order to enlist in the US Navy during World War II. He served as a gunner's mate aboard the USS Bayfield, an attack transport ship, and took part in the D-Day invasion of Normandy, launching and attack at Omaha Beach.

After the war ended, Yogi returned to Major League Baseball, and eventually became the Yankees' manager and coach.

Fred Willard

Fred Willard is a pretty goofy guy - and an extremely prolific actor - but he has a tough side, as well.

He actually served in the US Army in the '60s, during the Vietnam war. Following his service, Willard returned to showbiz and has been entertaining millions across the nation ever since.

Harvey Keitel

Harvey Keitel is known for his roles in classics like Taxi Driver, Thelma & Louise, Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction, but before he made it as an actor, he served in the US Marine Corps, having joined when he was just 16.

He saw active combat, and took part in Operation Blue Bat, a US intervention in Lebanon to protect the Lebanese government from a perceived communist threat. Following his service, Keitel supported himself as a court reporter before his acting career took off.

James Earl Jones

You may not know James Earl Jones' face, but you certainly know his voice. The talented actor played the voice of Darth Vader in Star Wars, and Mufasa in The Lion King.

Before his acting career, though, Jones joined the Reserve Officer Training Corps during the Korean war, and served, stateside, between 1953 and 1955. Jones was tasked with a cold weather training station in Colorado, and was discharged at the rank of first lieutenant.

John Coltrane

John Coltrane, the Jazz sax legend, decided to enlist in the Navy on the day that the US dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima.

He trained in New York State and was deployed in Pearl Harbor - but by the time he arrived in Hawaii, the war was winding down. Trane has a lot of downtime, and during his free hours he performed with a band called the Melody Masters.

It's a good thing Coltrane joined the military, though, because his very first recordings, which sent him on his meteoric career path, were made during informal sessions with other Navy musicians while he was stationed in Hawaii.

Don Rickles

Don Rickles made a name for himself after he began to insult hecklers during his standup routine. But the talented comedian is also a World War II veteran, having served in the Navy aboard the USS Cyrene, a torpedo boat.

Rickles was discharged in 1946, and went on to pursue one of the most prolific, long lived and successful comedic careers in American entertainment history.

Adam Driver

Adam Driver's breakout role was in Girls, playing Adam Sackler, Hanna Horvath's eccentric first season’s boyfriend. Later, he was cast as Kylo Ren in Star Wars, and it seems like his career is on a continual upward trajectory.

Driver chose to join the Marine Corps following the tragedy of 9/11, and was designated to Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, where he served as an 81mm mortarman. Driver was discharged after nearly three years of service after he broke his sternum. He later founded Arts in the Armed Forces, a nonprofit organization which he still heads, which brings theater productions to all branches of the military.

Owen Wilson

Owen Wilson has played a variety of characters on screen, many of them chill, cool, laid back and sometimes even slightly bewildered - so it may surprise you to learn that he received his schooling and education at one of the most prestigious military schools in the country. Wilson was a cadet at New Mexico Military Institute, better known as NMMI. NMMI is known not just for its academic excellence, but also for its gruelling physical training regimen and exacting code of conduct. Despite doing well at the school, however, Wilson didn't stay in uniform after graduating.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

We've seen Arnold Schwarzenegger in a variety of military roles on screen, but the former California Governor actually served in a real military force as well.

Back in 1965, Arnie was drafted into the Austrian Army, which used to require a mandatory one year of service from all Austrian men. He served as a tank driver, and many years later, after he had become rich and famous, actually managed to buy his old tank and ship it to the States from Austria. He still drives it from time to time!

What We Can Learn From This

Surprising, right? A lot of faces we associate with movie sets and stadiums once wore uniforms. Some signed up out of duty, others stumbled into service and found something that stuck. Across genres and generations, that experience left a mark on how they worked, performed and presented themselves. Read their stories and you start to see a pattern: discipline, grit, and an unexpected kind of training for show business.

Service Shaped Their Stories

For many of these stars, service was more than a detour. It taught them how to take orders, lead a team and keep calm under pressure. That translated into sharper performances, better timing and even plot ideas for shows like MASH. Whether it was stagecraft in Special Services or the grit of frontline jobs, those uniforms changed careers in ways you might not expect.

Not Just Boots on the Ground

A surprising number of entertainers actually got their start entertaining troops, doing radio, or working in Special Services. That gave them a live audience, tough critics and a chance to hone material fast. Names like Bob Hope, Mickey Rooney and Leonard Nimoy show how military gigs could lead straight back to show business. It was training you could not buy in drama school.

From Discipline to Doorways

Uniforms opened doors, but not always the same ones. For some, military life built confidence and gave them stories to tell. For others, it taught technical skills or introduced them to new people and places that nudged them toward acting, music or writing. The point is not that everyone found fame because they served, but that service often reshaped the path they took.

Final Takeaway: Expect the Unexpected

Next time you see a familiar face on screen, pause for a second. Chances are there's a chapter of their life you never guessed at. These stories remind us that people arrive at fame by odd paths, and that service - in its many forms - can show up where you least expect it. That's the real surprise here: talent often has a uniformed past.