When you hear the words Hollywood legends or comedy icons, you likely envision red carpets, box office smashes, or belly laughs from sitcoms. But before the fame, before the bright lights, some of these celebrities had on a uniform altogether different—the one of military service. From battlefield to big screen, their paths are as inspiring as are their careers, and in most instances, their military service helped shape them into the people they became. From World War II war heroes to today’s Marines, here are ten celebrities who showed their bravery long before they were household names.
10. Jimmy Stewart
Loved for his sincere performances in such classics as It’s a Wonderful Life, Jimmy Stewart was not only Hollywood’s everyman—he was also an actual war hero. During World War II, Stewart swapped out film sets for combat missions as a bomber pilot. He didn’t merely fly; he flew with distinction, making hazardous runs across enemy lines and collecting many medals for valor. Stewart later became a Brigadier General in the Air Force Reserve, one of the few Hollywood stars whose off-screen credits were as heroic as his on-screen characters.
9. Mel Brooks
Before he was a comedy icon with movies such as Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein, Mel Brooks served in World War II. Brooks was drafted into the Army and worked for the combat engineers, where he disarmed landmines and assisted in constructing bridges in the face of fire. He went on to employ his quick mind to boost morale, even putting on spur-of-the-moment shows for fellow soldiers. That combination of toughness and wit would ultimately characterize his career, demonstrating to the world that laughter is as strong as bravery.
8. Drew Carey
People know Drew Carey best as the smiling host of The Price Is Right or from The Drew Carey Show, but his roots are in the U.S. Marine Corps. Carey performed from 1980 until 1986, during which time he acquired discipline and tough-mindedness that would later translate into the world of comedy and television. He has spoken candidly about how much he admires military service, having at one point declared that we must always give our standing ovations to the men and women who serve with integrity. His time in uniform, while far from the bright lights of Hollywood, provided him with a basis of respect and determination that influenced his career.
7. Tom Selleck
All that built-in mustache and easy-going good looks made Tom Selleck a television staple, but his early life was defined by his time in the military. From 1967 to 1973, Selleck was a member of the California Army National Guard. It wasn’t easy combining his military service with his nascent acting career, but it provided him with both grit and perspective. Later, as he became Navy SEAL Thomas Magnum on Magnum P.I., he carried authenticity born of experience. His time in the Guard was over, but its legacy continued in his Hollywood fame.
6. Bob Barker
Before becoming a popular TV personality encouraging us to “spay and neuter your pets,” Bob Barker already bore another hat—that of a U.S. Navy aviator. When World War II came along, Barker learned to fly in the Pacific theatre. Although he joked in his autobiography that the war ended before he engaged in combat because the enemy surrendered at the prospect of his arrival, his eagerness to serve was no joke. The discipline and confidence that he acquired in the military enabled him to command game show stages for decades.
5. Morgan Freeman
With one of the most iconic voices on the planet, Morgan Freeman is readily equated with sagacity, gravitas, and stoic authority. Prior to Hollywood falling for his talent, however, Freeman was a radar technician with the U.S. Air Force, where he enlisted in 1955. He initially wanted to be a fighter pilot, but eventually realized the cockpit was not for him. Nevertheless, his four years in uniform provided him with discipline and purpose, which later he attributed to enabling him to follow a career in acting. Freeman’s own career took off many years later, but the lessons of his Air Force experience never deserted him.
4. Gene Hackman
Gene Hackman’s road to fame was not easy. Before he was an Academy Award-winning actor, Hackman joined the Marine Corps as a teenager. As a radio operator and broadcast reporter, he served in remote locations such as China, Japan, and Hawaii. His Marine experience not only exposed him to the world, but it also opened him up to communication and storytelling, to which he eventually added dramatic acting. After his stint, Hackman applied for the GI Bill to study television production and journalism—a stepping stone to the Hollywood stardom that would eventually make him a legend.
3. James Earl Jones
The booming, authoritative voice of Darth Vader and Mufasa is owned by James Earl Jones—but before he influenced pop culture, he served his country. After graduating from ROTC, Jones was commissioned as a first lieutenant in the Army. He played an important role in creating a cold-weather training command in Colorado, training troops for the cold. His sense of duty and his leadership were evident way before he ever entered the spotlight. That same authority and presence that he exuded in uniform translated over to the stage and screen.
2. Rob Riggle
More people are familiar with Rob Riggle as the comedic relief on The Daily Show and in movies such as Step Brothers, but his work in uniform is also impressive. Riggle had spent over 20 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, deploying in countries such as Liberia, Kosovo, and Afghanistan. Even as he transitioned into comedy, he didn’t abandon his service. After retiring from service as a lieutenant colonel, Riggle continued to give back to veterans through philanthropy, many times pairing his passion for golf with his philanthropic efforts. For Riggle, serving and performing were never mutually exclusive—they were two ways of serving others.
1. Adam Driver
Before becoming Kylo Ren in Star Wars, Adam Driver existed in a much different world as a Marine infantry mortarman. Inspired by the happenings of 9/11, Driver enlisted with a sense of duty. His Corps career was short-lived due to an injury during training, resulting in a medical discharge. Though disappointed, Driver turned that energy toward acting, later founding Arts in the Armed Forces, a nonprofit bringing theater to service members around the world. His story is a reminder that even when one path closes, another can lead to an even greater impact.
These stars don’t forget that fame does not wash away sacrifices made before the limelight. Across World War II skies to Afghan deserts, their service molded their character before their names were known in Hollywood. Their tales confirm that some of the biggest heroes aren’t just in movies—they’re the same individuals who once wore the uniform with pride.