When you think about it, nothing can be more contradictory to being a Hollywood star than serving in the military. As a soldier, you are driven by the love for your country and, sooner or later, your sacrifices and devotion will be compensated with a rewarding salary and all sorts of military and veteran benefits.

Celebrities, on the other hand, are often perceived to only care about themselves, driven by their desire for more and more wealth. Nonetheless, you would be surprised to find out how many of your favorite stars served in the armed forces before becoming famous. Check out the list of these 29 celebrities who fought for their country.

Elvis Presley - US Army

The King of Rock and Roll was drafted into the United States Army in 1958, two years after he had become famous for two of his hit songs. So, he had already been the center of celebrity news back then before he got enlisted.

Elvis was stationed at Fort Hood before being sent off to Friedberg, Germany serving in the 3rd Armored Division. It was there where he met his future wife, Priscilla Beaulieu. He was honorably discharged after two years of service in 1960. Finding love while serving his country; what a romantic story!

James Earl Jones - US Infantry

James Earl Jones first received a commission as a second lieutenant during the Korean War. In 1953, he reported to attend the Infantry Officers Basic Course at Fort Benning and even received training to be part of the U.S. Army Rangers. However, he wasn't able to finish it.

Before he left the army, he was able to become a first lieutenant. Things eventually worked out for him as he voiced the second most powerful Sith Lord in Star Wars history and Mufasa in the iconic Disney animated film Lion King. Eventually, voice acting proved to be what he was born to do.

Ice-T - US Infantry

Before he became famous for his rapping and acting skills, Ice-T served in the US Army 25th Infantry Division. He was eventually deployed to Hawaii, where he served as a squad leader. With the money from his service, he was able to afford stereo equipment like turntables, speakers, and a mixer.

He was determined to hone his rap skills with his new stereo equipment but he had to serve in the army for four more years. After that, he left and pursued a career in music. And look at where he is now! Having released 8 studio albums, Ice-T is considered one of the biggest stars the hip hop scene has ever witnessed.

Gal Gadot - IDF Combat Trainer

No wonder this Israeli actress is getting fierce roles, such as Gisele Yashar in The Fast and the Furious film series and the title character in Wonder Woman. She served in the IDF (Israeli Defence Forces) for two whole years as a combat trainer!

There's more though! Amazingly, Gadot excelled in the three-month-long boot camp, which is considered to be especially grueling. In many of her interviews, she has admitted that her military expertise is responsible for her success as an actress in action movies nowadays, as her combat instincts definitely kick in while she is acting.

Leonard Nimoy - US Army Reserves

Before serving as the first officer of the starship Enterprise, Mr. Spock (or Leonard Nimoy in real life) first served in the United States Army Reserves in the early '50s. Due to a fire accident, his personal records were destroyed.

It is believed that he spent most of his 18-month service in Fort McPherson in Georgia and was able to reach the rank of sergeant before being discharged in 1955. It is kind of a pity that he did not have the documents to prove his service, however, we do not believe that anyone would doubt his efforts anyway.

Montel Williams - US Marines

Before becoming a motivational speaker, Montel Williams first enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1974. He was appointed to serve as a cryptologic officer for naval intelligence in Guam and was later transferred to N.S.A. in Maryland.

That is a rather odd position that we never thought Williams would have! It was during his service that he began counseling and eventually found out that he's very good at motivational speaking, paving his way to future success. Who said that you can’t come up with a business plan during your military duty?

Jimi Hendrix - US Infantry

Jimi Hendrix always seemed like a real bad boy, but before he even became famous, he was already doing some outrageous stuff, like getting arrested in a stolen car. Hendrix was given two choices, to either go to jail or join the U.S. Army.

You guessed right, he chose the latter. He was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division in Kentucky, where he completed his paratrooper training. However, it is his undeniable love for music that kept him from following a military career. He was eventually discharged due to an injury sustained in a parachute jump.

Anthony Hopkins - British Army

At the age of 15, Hopkins met the Welsh compatriot Richard Burton who encouraged him to study at the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama in Cardiff. He served in the British Army for two years. He then moved to London and enrolled at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.

The rest you already know, as since then, Anthony Hopkins has become one of the most talented and successful actors of our era. His acting skills are unique and he has offered us numerous breathtaking performances in film and series alike. Hopkins has managed to win 1 Oscar, 1 Golden Globe, and 5 BAFTA Awards.

Bill Cosby - US Navy

What is Bill Cosby best known for? The Cosby Show, of course! Apart from the recent huge scandal... But before he could make anyone laugh with his performances, Bill joined the Navy as a hospital corpsman in 1956. He worked in the physical therapy department for severely injured Korean War soldiers.

He served the country for four years and was even designated as an honorary chief petty officer at a Navy ceremony in 2011. Since then a lot has changed and sadly, for his reputation has been destroyed. Allegedly, he used pills to violate and indecently assault several women, and he's now in prison.

George Carlin - US Air Force

Before George Carlin became a super successful stand-up comedian, he joined the US Air Force to help pay for his education in a broadcasting school. After all, he had no constant job until he became a powerhouse in stand-up comedy. He was a radar technician stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City, Louisiana.

He was never deployed to the battlefield, but he supported the troops as much as he can from a different position. After that, though, he realized where his talents lie and decided to take a turn towards comedy. Sadly, Carlin passed away in 2008 of heart failure.

Robert Fuller - US Infantry

In 1953, during the Korean War, Robert Fuller was drafted to the U.S Army and served for two years. He was just 19 years old at the time, and for fifteen months, he was stationed in Korea. He served in the 19th Infantry Regiment and was chosen three times as Guard Mount's outstanding soldier.

He started his career on TV, guest-starring mainly on Western shows, while he also appeared in 2 movies: The Brain from Planet Arous & Teenage Thunder that helped his fame and fortune a lot. His career in the entertainment industry spanned five decades, and Robert was known for his impressive voice and mostly for his roles in Laramie and Wagon Train.

Robert Duvall - US Infantry

Actor and filmmaker Robert Duvall served briefly in the United States Army, from 1953 to 1954. The Korean War was over, and he left the Army as a private first class. During his time in Camp Gordon, he appeared in a production of the comedy Room Service.

In 1955, he began studying drama along with veteran actors Gene Hackman and Dustin Hoffman as his classmates. In 2015, Duval became the oldest actor to be nominated for an Oscar for his role on The Judge, a record he later lost to Christopher Plummer in 2018. He most recently appeared in the heist movie Widows, in 2018.

Alan Alda - US Army Reserve

Most of you would probably remember Alan Alda from the popular series M*A*S*H, in which he portrayed the role of Hawkeye Pierce. The award-winning actor, director, comedian, screenwriter, and author has had a long and prosperous career which started in 1955.

After graduating, Alda served one year at Fort Bening and another six months at the United States Army Reserve. Alda was nominated for an Academy Award for his role in The Aviator in 2004. In July 2018, he announced that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease on CBS This Morning.

Dennis Franz - US Infantry

Dennis Franz is best known for his role in the New York City Police television series, NYPD Blue. But before he became Detective Andy Sipowicz, Franz served in the Army’s 82nd and 101st Airborne divisions in Vietnam.

He shared in an interview that, while in the army, he realized that he had never felt more lonely or sad, and wearing a military uniform stripped him of his youth.  According to his words, Dennis does not seem like a big fan of the army. Dennis enjoyed a long and fruitful career in acting, which lasted from 1978 to 2005.

Sam Elliot – National Guard

Before he became a famous actor, playing mostly heroic roles in westerns, Sam Elliot served in the army. He moved to California to follow his dream of becoming an actor. However, he didn't have the financial resources to kickstart his career. He was forced to work in some petty jobs including construction. He also joined the California Army National Guard. Elliot's cowboy role in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid made him a star overnight. He went on to star in Road House, The Big Lebowski, Mask, Gettysburg, Tombstone, We Were Soldiers and in Hulk. He recently appeared in the TV show Justified and in the movies A Star is Born and The Hero.

Harvey Keitel - US Marines

Before starting his acting career, Harvey Keitel went to enlist in the United States Marine Corps at the young age of 16. He was assigned to Lebanon during Operation Blue Bat. He said that the decision to join the Marines was a “spiritual journey"

He also added that a Marine's duty is to protect people who are in need, not to cause conflict around the world. In any case, Keitel eventually left the Marines to pursue an acting career. His decision paid off, and now, he's famous for his spectacular performances in films like Mean Streets, Reservoir Dogs, and Pulp Fiction.

Adam Driver -  US Marines

Before setting out to conquer the Star Wars galaxy as Kylo Ren, Adam Driver first joined the Marines right after the 9/11 bombing tragedy. He mentioned in an interview that when you finish your training as a Marine, you acquire a sense of power unlike any other.

Adam revealed that's why he ended up wanting to re-audition for the Julliard School of dance, drama, and music. Apparently, he really was able to do anything -- even use the force. Driver is also famous for his star role in Silence, while he's now expected to reprise his role as Kylo Ren in the latest Star Wars film The Rise of Skywalker, due in December 2019.

Mickey Rooney - Entertaining Troops

Mickey Rooney had a career in showbiz spanning nine decades, appearing in more than 300 films. (Now that is a jaw-dropping number!) Just before being drafted into the army during World War II, he was already one of the box office's top stars.

All in all, he served in the army from 1944 to 1946. He earned a Bronze Star for entertaining troops in combat zones. In his fruitful career, Rooney received numerous Academy Award nominations and a Golden Globe Award. Sadly, he's no longer with us, as he passed away in 2014.

Jimmy Stewart - Air Corps

Jimmy Stewart was drafted into the Army in 1940. He was initially rejected because he was underweight. Eventually, through his determination, the iconic actor packed on a few pounds and enlisted in the Air Corps in 1941, serving until his retirement in 1968. Upon his return from WWII Stewart suffered from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), both as a result of bombing innocent civilians and losing 130 of his fellow soldiers in an incident to which he felt responsible. He never discussed it but acted it in his famous role in the classic movie It's a Wonderful Life.

Sidney Poitier - Medical Attendant

Sidney Poitier is the first Bahamian and African-American to ever win an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in Lilies of the Field. But before becoming an actor, a 16-year-old Sidney lied about his age and joined the U.S. Army. He served as a medical attendant at a mental hospital in N.Y.C. but eventually got sick of being bossed around, so ironically, he faked insanity. Probably would have been easier if he just said his age, don't you think?

Jerry Garcia - Infantry

Before being the lead singer of the band Grateful Dead, Jerry Garcia went on to serve in the Army during his late teen years. However, he didn't really do a good job in it and only served for 9 months. He eventually got discharged due to "poor conduct." We're surprised that they weren't able to straighten him out. Well, maybe it's for the best, or else we probably won't have Grateful Dead.

Rob Riggle - Marines

You guys may know Rob Riggle (that high school gym teacher that got his privates shot off) from the new 21 Jumpstreet and 22 Jumpstreet featuring Channing Tatum and Jonah Hill. Before he became a comedian and an actor, he first served in the Marines. He was actually a lieutenant colonel. Now that's impressive and actually something we did not expect from Rob!

Johnny Carson - Navy

Before becoming a television host and comedian, Johnny Carson first joined the United States Navy in 1943. He started off as an apprentice shipman and was eventually promoted to a midshipman. He was assigned to the USS Pennsylvania in the Pacific Ocean. He then served as a communications officer in charge of decoding encrypted messages, while entertaining fellow soldiers with his comedy. Nowadays, he's won a Presidential Medal of Freedom, while his career in entertainment earned him six Emmys and numerous other awards. He's mostly famous for his show The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, which he hosted for exactly three decades.

Tom Selleck - Infantry

Tom Selleck, the actor best known for his signature mustache versatility in front of the camera, has served in the US Army for six years, from 1967 to 1973, in the 160th Infantry Regiment of the California National Guard. Nowadays, he serves as a spokesman for the veterans of the Vietnam memorial fund and he is also active in various charities that collect donations for war casualties. It seems that Selleck is rather moved by the troops' devotion, even if he eventually decided to pursue an acting career. Selleck's most famous role was the one in the iconic TV series Magnum, P.I. , where he portrayed Thomas Magnum, a formidable detective.

Mr. T - Military Police

Before Mr. T became Sergeant Bosco Baracus of The A-Team and started making lots of money, he first served in the Army's Military Police Corps in real life. He was elected “Top Trainee of the Cycle” and was eventually promoted to become a Squad Leader. He was once punished by his platoon sergeant by being ordered to cut down trees with his bare hands. Little did he know that Mr. T had hands of steel, and by the time he was relieved of his punishment, he had already cut down about 70 trees. We pity the fool, to be honest.

Don Rickles - Navy

Often dubbed as the best insult comedian around the globe, Don Rickles joined the U.S. Navy right after graduating from high school in 1941. For the next five years, he served as a seaman at the torpedo boat tender USS Cyrene before he got discharged with honors in 1946. Once he got back to the land, Rickles enrolled at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, but instead of acting, he eventually started working as a stand-up comedian. Unfortunately, Rickles passed away earlier in 2017  due to kidney failure at the age of 90. The details of his will and testament remain private, but it is reported that the actor left around $30 million in his savings account.

Kris Kristofferson - Air Force

Born to a military family, singer and actor Kris Kristofferson was not only expected but even pushed to join the U.S. Army after obtaining a B. Phil degree in English Literature in 1960. Upon receiving training at Ranger School, he worked as a helicopter pilot, but eventually, Kristofferson managed to achieve the rank of Captain. However, a few years later, he decided to put an end to his military career and turn to music instead. This decision apparently wasn’t well-received by his family since his parents reportedly disowned him while his wife contacted her divorce attorney at around the same time. But despite all of that, Kristofferson should be proud of his military days, and even more so of his impressive music career.

John Coltrane - Navy

Late jazz saxophonist John Coltrane didn’t want to wait to be drafted into the Army, so instead, he joined the Navy the very same day the U.S. Army dropped the first atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima in 1945. He completed his training at the Naval Training Station in NY and was soon sent to Pearl Harbor. During his days with the Navy, Coltrane worked as a musician in a base swing band primarily, but he had other duties as well that mainly included security and kitchen. After he was released from the service, Coltrane continued to perform until 1967 when his life and career were cut short at the young age of 40 due to a liver cancer. We can only hope for the sake of his family that he had a huge life insurance policy or at least a few millions in his checking account.

Johnny Cash - Air Force

It has been almost 15 years since country music icon Johnny Cash passed away, yet his legacy still lives and his bank account is still on the rise, thanks to his music that continues to inspire people all over the world. But years before the world got to enjoy his baritone voice and he got to relieve himself of any mortgage and loans worries whatsoever, Cash used to work as a salesman as well as a radio announcer. And then, in 1950, he joined the U.S. Air Force following both basic and technical training in San Antonio, during which he started his first-ever music band. In 1954, Cash was discharged with honors, and he entered a recording studio for the first time the very next year.

Ernest Hemingway - Ambulance Driver

One of the most influential authors of the 20th century and Nobel Prize winner, Ernest Miller Hemingway was only 18 when he became a part of the American Red Cross during World War I. While volunteering as an ambulance driver in Italy, Hemingway was delivering sweets and cigarettes, as well as assisting the soldiers. However, while on duty, Hemingway got involved in a mortar where he suffered series wounds. The incident marked the end of his two-month service and Hemingway was soon taken to the hospital where he spent the next six months. Unfortunately, after suffering severe depression and mental health issues, the acclaimed author committed suicide in 1961. Hemingway reportedly left $1.4 million in his bank account.

James Stewart - Air Force

James Stewart was one of the most prolific actors to have graced Hollywood. But in addition to portraying middle-class men struggling with bad credit loans or mortgages, the late actor had quite a military career. James’ family was military-oriented, and it was his father who played the major part in his decision to join the army. However, instead of pursuing a position in the infantry, like his dad, Stewart was more into piloting. Hence, he earned both a private and commercial pilot license until he was 30, which would later ensure him a spot in the US Army Air Force. But long before he earned the title of a Brigadier General, Stewart was rejected for not meeting the required weight standards. He was eventually inducted into the Army in 1941 where he served until 1968.

Henry Fonda - Navy

One of Hollywood's greatest and most beloved actors of all time, Henry Fonda was best known for movies such as The Grapes of Wrath and Golden Pond, among others. However, at the very peak of his Hollywood career, Fonda took a step back from acting to join the U.S. Navy during World War II, which earned him both the Bronze Star as well as a Presidential Citation. Once the war had ended, Fonda resumed his acting career taking on a number of military roles. And speaking about his private life, Fonda had even four marriages and all led to him calling his divorce attorney. He died in 1982 at the age of 77 due to a heart attack after battling prostate cancer for some time.

Ernest Borgnine - Navy

Most known for his Academy Award-winning performance on Marty, Ernest Borgnine was another actor who was a famous military veteran. In fact, he joined the U.S. Navy as an apprentice seaman years before he would make his first acting debut towards the end of the ‘40s. He was discharged in 1941 after six years of service, only to return to the Navy in 1942 after the Pearl Harbor attack. Borgnine finally retired from the Navy in 1945, after a ten-year service and a number of military awards. And while we must pay credit to Borgnine for his contribution to the country, we should probably point out that it wasn’t the Army that saved him from debt consolidation loans and kept him far from filing for bankruptcy, but his acting career that spanned for 65 years until his death in 2012.

Glenn Miller - Air Force

In the late ‘30s and early ‘40s, Glenn Miller was one of the best-selling performers, scoring, even more, hits than Elvis Presley. However, at 38, when his career was at its peak, Miller decided to join the Army. At first, he got rejected by the Navy for being too old, but after some convincing, he became a part of Army Air Force in 1942. Miller established an Army band which would later count even 50 pieces, and he traveled and played for the soldiers, giving approximately 800 performances in total. Unfortunately, in 1944, while flying to France to perform in front of the US troops there, Miller’s airplane disappeared and the actor was never seen again. His tragic disappearance raised so many questions, including those about his last will, and even savings account balance.

Clark Gable - Air Force

Often dubbed as “The King,” Clark Gable started as a stage actor before he got to take a number of supporting roles and finally earn his title of a Hollywood leading man. His most recognized role was in the 1939 movie Gone with the Wind where he portrayed Rhett Butler. The year when the classic Civil War drama was released, Gable visited his divorce attorney and ended his second marriage only to tie the knot for the third time the same year. Sadly, three years later, his then-wife, actress Carole Lombard, died due to severe injuries she suffered in a plane crash while traveling for a war bond rally. Devastated by the tragedy, Gable enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and took part in several battles before his retirement in 1944, months after being promoted to a major.

Bea Arthur - Truck Driver & Typist For The U.S. Marines

You may know her as Maude Findlay from the hit sitcom All in the Family, or for her iconic performance in the ‘80s show The Golden Girls, but Bea Arthur was also recognized for being one of the first ladies in the Marine Reserves. Bea was only 21 when she enlisted in 1943, and she stayed with the US Marine Corps for around 30 months working as both a typist and a truck driver before she was honorably discharged in 1945 with the title of staff sergeant. Whether the actress was as good at holding a gun as she was at typing, we won't know, but reportedly, she had approximately an $8-million fortune at the time of her death in 2009.

Ted Williams - Fighter Pilot

You probably think that baseball legends are all about money and fame, or hiring the best financial adviser, but it turned out that Ted Williams wasn’t just another filthy rich and worldwide famous athlete. In 1942, William took a pause from baseball to help out his country which had just entered World War II. For the next four years, he served the Army under the Reserve Aviation Unit, until 1946 when he got released. However, in 1952, during the Korean War, he was back on duty - only to abandon his military career the next year after developing pneumonia. Williams participated in almost 40 missions and earned numerous awards and accolades.

Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. - Navy

Douglas Fairbanks Jr. used to work as a clerk before he gave got a crack at a Hollywood career. By 1939, he had already secured his place in the industry as well as his bank account balance, but only two years later, he was leaving his comfort zone and taking his patriotic duty. In 1941, around the time that the USA joined World War II, Fairbanks was assigned to the special envoy in South America by President Franklin Roosevelt. Thanks to the military deception skills he developed while observing British training, Fairbanks would play an important role in the combat, partly due to establishing the Beach Jumpers, which was a Navy special unit that specialized in psychological warfare and deception. In 1954, the actor retired from the Navy holding the rank of a captain.

Kurt Vonnegut - Infantry

You've probably read Slaughterhouse Five, one of his most famous books, but did you know that Kurt Vonnegut got inspired by his own experience to write the novel? We bet you didn’t! Well, as it happened, soon after the acclaimed author obtained a degree from Cornell University, he enlisted in the Army in 1943. However, upon taking part in the Battle of the Bulge as infantry battalion scout, Vonnegut became a prisoner and was taken to Dresden in 1944. It was less than a year later that Vonnegut returned to the USA and resumed his duties in the Army. With his fruitful military career, we're confident that Vonnegut was not to beat himself up over a huge property or car insurance bill or any other financial issue whatsoever.

Steve McQueen - Tank Driver For The Marine Corps

Considering that he needed a divorce attorney on not one but two occasions, and judging by his issues with the law, actor Steve McQueen was a real troublemaker. Another thing that proved his rebellious ways was his military service which lasted for about three years. “The King of Cool” tried out a number of different jobs until he decided to join the Marine Corps in 1947. Soon after his enlisting, he got promoted to Private First Class, but due to his irresponsible behavior and taking really long weekends, he got demoted to Private seven times. However, we must pay him credit for saving a few Marines by pulling them out of a tank just minutes before it was too late. We hope his heirs benefited from a life insurance when he passed away in 1980.

Sunny Anderson - Air Force Broadcaster & Journalist

These days, Sunny Anderson is paying her home and car insurance bills by making food at Future Food Network, but long before finding her place on Food Network, she used to work for the Air Force News Agency. Probably partially influenced by the military tradition that runs in her family, the famous TV personality joined the Army after graduating from high school. She worked as a journalist and radio broadcaster for four years, during which she traveled all around the world and earned the rank of Senior Airman. Having been discharged with honors in 1997, Anderson took a number of radio hosting jobs before turning to a culinary career. In recent years and until now, she is seen hosting the TV show, The Kitchen.

Owen Wilson - New Mexico Military Institute

We all love the hilarious Owen Wilson from movies such as Night at the Museum and Midnight in Paris. But did you know about his military background? Owen attended the New Mexico Military Institute at the University of Texas. He later pursued a career in acting, and so did his brothers Andrew and Luke Wilson. Wilson has been very busy lately - acting, becoming a father for the third time recently, and building up a net worth of $40 million. Wilson already had two sons (by two different girlfriends) when another ex-girlfriend gave birth to his daughter on October 9, 2018.

Rock Hudson - U.S. Navy

Rock Hudson enlisted in the United States Navy after he graduated from high school in 1943. He served during World War iI and became an aircraft mechanic after he received his training. He was discharged in 1946. Hudson then had a series of odd jobs to support himself while pursuing an acting career. He would then co-star with Doris Day on Pillow Talk and become one of the leading men of Hollywood of the '50s and the '60s. Hudson never had the chance to enter retirement; he was diagnosed with HIV and died of related complications on October 2, 1985, at the age of 59.

James Garner - U.S. Infantry

The late actor, voice artist, and producer James Garner served in the Army, too. He joined the U.S. Merchant Marine when he was 16, after having worked at a number of jobs. He suffered from seasickness so he later enlisted in the California Army National Guard. He then spent a 14-month tour of duty during the Korean War and was wounded twice. He received the Purple Heart for his first wound but did not receive his second decoration until 32 years later. James later became famous for appearing on Maverick, The Rockford Files, and many others. His health deteriorated in time and he died of a heart attack on July 19, 2014.

Yogi Berra - U.S. Navy

The 18-time All-Star baseball player Yogi Berra became one of the greatest catchers in the history of baseball but he also served in the Army.  Yogi served in the United States Navy during World War II. He was a gunner's mate during the D-Day invasion of France. After the military, Berra played in the minor-league until he was called up to the Yankees in 1946. Berra died of natural causes at the age of 90 on September 22, 2015. On November 24 the same year, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously by President Barack Obama.

Marvin Gaye - Air Force

Marvin Gaye was one of the most iconic musicians of the 1960s. But before he could get it on, he enlisted in the United States Air Force after dropping out of high school when he was just 17 years old. He was a basic airman so he was tasked to do some serious grunt work, which the musician didn't like. So, he did what any guy would do: fake the crazies. After faking a mental illness, he was eventually discharged and freed to do whatever he desired. Sadly, his star would stop shining after his father fatally wounded him with a gunshot in the chest after an altercation between them, in 1984.

Clifton James - U.S. Army

The late actor, Clifton James, was a decorated veteran. He served as an infantry platoon during World War II and spent 42 months in the South Pacific. Clifton was discharged in 1945 and received two Purple Hearts as well as a Silver Star and a Bronze Star. As an actor, Clifton is best known for his roles in the James Bond films Live and Let Die and The Man with the Golden Gun. He also appeared in 1976 Silver Streak and 1967 Cool Hand Luke. James entered retirement in 2006 and lived to celebrate his 96th birthday. He died of complications of diabetes on April 15, 2017.

Josephine Baker - French Resistance

With her famous costumes made of artificial bananas, Josephine Baker became a symbol of the Jazz Age. She was a sensation in Paris, where this American-born entertainer moved and rose to fame. But Josephine was also a French Resistance agent during World War II. She was recruited by a French military intelligence and was an "honorable correspondent." She charmed people and gathered information about the German troops. Baker had 12 children through adoption - ten sons and two daughters. She was honored with a Croix de Guerre (military cross) after the war, as well as with the Rosette de la Resistance. She died in Aril 1975 at the age of 68.

Charlton Heston - U.S. Air Force

The great actor, Charlton Heston, appeared in about 100 films in his career spanning 60 years. Heston was best remembered as Moses on The Ten Commandments, as well as for his roles on Ben-Hur, El Cid, and many other films. Charlton enlisted in the United States Army Forces in 1944 and served for two years. He was a radio operator and aerial gunner who later rose to the rank of staff sergeant. He also narrated classified military films. Heston married Lydia, a Northern University student in 1944 and they remained together until his death in 2008. Lydia died on September 3, 2018.

Henry Kissinger - U.S. Army

American statesman Henry Kissinger fled Nazi Germany in 1938 and came to America. He was a student of the City College of New York when he was drafted into the United States Army in 1943. He was initially sent to study engineering but was later reassigned to the 84th Infantry Division. Kissinger soon became a CIC Special Agent and was in charge of a team in Hanover. In 1946, Henry started teaching at the European Command Intelligence School. The 95-year-old is still active and met with President Trump in May 2017. His estimated net worth is $20 million.

Alec Guinness - Royal Navy

The award-winning English actor, Alec Guinness, served in the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve during World War II. Alec was initially a seaman but was later commissioned as Sub-lieutenant. During the Allied invasion of Sicily, Guinness commanded a landing craft. It was during the war that Alec was granted permission to leave and appear in the Broadway production called Flare Path. He appeared in several Ealing comedies as well as in films such as Great Expectations, Doctor Zhivago, and Oliver Twist. Guinness died of liver cancer on August 5, 2000, four years after he retired.

Arnold Schwarzenegger - Austrian Army

Arnold Schwarzenegger served one year in the Austrian Army in 1965 as it was mandatory for all legal-age males. During his time in the military, he left without permission to attend a bodybuilding competition and spent a week in the military prison for that. In 1966, he went to America to compete for Mr. Universe and came second. The Terminator star has fulfilled his goal of becoming rich and famous and has compiled $400 million in his bank account. He also served as the Governor of California from 2003 until 2011. Schwarzenegger will appear in the upcoming films Viy 2: Journey to China and 2019 Terminator.

Sammy Davis Jr. - U.S. Infantry

Sammy Davis Jr. was multitalented. He was a singer, dancer, actor, musician, comedian, and vaudevillian. Davis, who faced racism throughout his life, hoped his time in the U.S. Army would help lessen the prejudice. He served during World War II and was assigned to Special Services. After his time in the military, Davis became a member of Rat Pack led by Frank Sinatra and including three more members. Sammy was a heavy smoker and was diagnosed with throat cancer in 1989. He died two months after the surgery on May 16, 1990, leaving his estate to his wife Altovise Davis, according to his last will.

Bob Barker - Navy

Even though it may appear to you that Bob Barker was working as a host forever, know that the former face of CBS’s The Price Is Right earned a degree in economics and also served in the U.S. Navy prior to starting his lengthy career in showbiz. In 1943, Barker was attending Drury College when he joined the Navy as a naval aviation cadet. During the next two years, he received a lot of training and flew a number of different planes, but didn’t get an opportunity to be assigned to a carrier squadron as he had hoped. After the war had ended, Barker went on to obtain his degree, and he soon turned to broadcasting and hosting game shows. Judging by the $70 million sitting in his bank account, we can assume that Barker is enjoying his retirement to the fullest.

Humphrey Bogart - U.S. Navy

Having been expelled from school, Humphrey Bogart enlisted in the United States Navy in 1918. There were many different stories regarding his trademark upper-lip scar that he allegedly got in the war. In another story, Humphrey reportedly said the scar was a result of a childhood accident. Bogart came home upon learning that his father was of poor health and that the family lost all the money due to bad investments. He made his debut on Broadway and later in films such as the classic Casablanca and The Big Sleep. He died of esophageal cancer on January 14, 1957.

Carl Reiner - U.S. Air Force

You must remember this funny guy from the Ocean's film series. Carl Reiner gained fame in the '60s as the creator, writer, producer, and actor on The Dick Van Dyke Show. You might not know this but Reiner was drafted into the Army Air Forces in 1943. He went on to achieve the rank of corporal before he was discharged in 1946. He used to entertain troops and perform around the Pacific theater. The 96-year-old Carl is still making money in the entertainment industry. He released his autobiography Too Busy to Die, in 2017. He also provided voice work for the animated movie Duck Duck Goose, in 2018.

Burt Lancaster - U.S. Army

After he dropped out of New York University and joined the Kay Brothers circus, Burt Lancaster then went on to join the United States Army in 1942. During his military days, he was in charge of following the troops around and providing entertainment with the 21st Special Services Division. Burt was later nominated for an Oscar four times, winning one for Elmer Gantry in 1960. After two heart attacks and a coronary bypass, Burt suffered a stroke which left him paralyzed. He died of a third heart attack on November 30, 1990.

Prince Harry - Household Cavalry & Air Army Corps

Prince Harry served in the British Army as well, just like his brother. In 2005, he entered the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst where he completed his training and was commissioned as Cornet in the Blues and Royals, a Household Cavalry. He was supposed to be deployed to Iraq in 2006 but was prevented to do so as he was a high-value target. He was deployed to Afganistan twice before it was announced that Harry would be leaving the Armed Forces in 2015. On the same day his wedding with Meghan Markle took place, Harry became the Duke of Sussex. The two are expecting their first baby in spring 2019.

Prince William - Air Army Corps & Royal Navy

Prince William, who is second in line of the succession to the British throne, served with the British Army until 2013. He was admitted to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 2006. After 44 weeks of training, William was commissioned in the Blues and Royals regiment. Prince William then completed his pilot training at Royal Air Force College and became a full-time pilot. After leaving the British Armed Forces, he received a civil pilot's license and worked as a pilot for East Anglian Ambulance. Prince William became the Duke of Cambridge in 2011 when he married Katherine Middleton. The two became parents to their third child, Prince Louis, in April 2018.

Prince Charles  - Royal Navy & Air Army Corps

The longest-serving Prince of Wales and father of Prince William and Prince Harry, served in the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy, as per the family' tradition. Prince Charles received Royal Air Force training while he was still at Cambridge and he also later received jet pilot training.  His naval career started when he enrolled in a course at the Royal Naval College Dartmouth. After crashing the BAe 146 in the Hebrides in 1994, Prince Charles gave up flying. Prince Charles and Lady Diana got a divorce in 1996 and he married his second wife Camilla in 2005. In spring 2019, Prince Charles will welcome his new grandchild.

Tony Curtis - U.S. Navy

Tony Curtis joined the United States Navy after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He was inspired by the movies Destination Tokyo and Crash Dive so he joined the Pacific submarine force. After leaving the Army, Curtis attended the City College of New York and later studied acting as well. Curtis rose to fame during the 5o's and the '60s and he is known for his performances on Sweet Smell of Success, The Defiant Ones, and Some Like It Hot. Due to his struggle with pneumonia in 2006, Curtis had to use a wheelchair for the remainder of his life. He died of cardiac arrest on September 29, 2010.

JD Salinger - United States Army

JD Salinger was drafted into the Army shortly after the United States entered World War II in 1942. He was present in the battle of the Bulge, he was at Utah Beach on D-Day, and he also participated in the Battle of Hurtgen Forest. Salinger met Hemingway while he was in the Army and was impressed by his pleasant persona. Hemingway, on the other hand, was impressed by Salinger's writing. The author of Catcher in the Rye reportedly wanted to sell film rights to some of his stories in order to improve his personal finances but he also refused several offers to buy film rights for his popular novel.

Gene Wilder - United States Army

Gene Wilder was drafted into the Army in 1956 and was assigned to the medical corps. Later, when he was given the chance to choose his post, he served as a paramedic while also attending acting classes at the HB Studio. After leaving the Army, he got a scholarship to the HB Studio and lived on unemployment insurance and his savings. He later managed to become a successful actor, best known for his role as Willy Wonka in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. In his later years, he focused on writing and published several books. Wilder died in 2016.

Jeff Bridges - United States Coast Guard Reserve

Acclaimed actor Jeff Bridges comes from a talented family since both his father Lloyd Bridges and his brother Beau Bridges, are also actors. Jeff served seven years in the United States Coast Guard reserve. He won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in 2009 Crazy Heart, and he was also nominated for an Oscar for six other portrayals. Among these notable performances were on the films The Last Picture Show, Starman, and Iron Man. Bridges, who is now in his late sixties, won't have to worry about retirement since his assets are estimated to be $70 million.

Rachel Washburn - United States Army

Former cheerleader of the Philadelphia Eagles, Rachel Washburn, wanted to serve her country as well and traded her pom-poms for a career in the Army. She became an Army intelligence officer and went on two tours to Afghanistan. Her mission was to relate to local women and she even helped an Afghan baby. When she returned from her second tour, Rachel was honored by the Eagles as a hometown hero. She rose to the rank of first lieutenant and she was honored with several awards and decorations. Rachel is very active on Social Media.

Tony Bennett - Infantry

Multi-awarded singer Tony Bennett was only 18 when he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1944. Before he joined the Infantry 63rd Division, he received basic training and was later sent to France and Germany. During the final stages of the war in 1945, Bennett was fighting on the front line until he was reassigned to a unit in charge of disinterring mass graves. Once he arrived back to the USA in 1946, Bennett studied music and he performed wherever he could. However, he would pay his car and home insurance bills mainly by waiting tables for years until 1951 when he shot to stardom with his first single hit Because of You. It would take ten more years for him to record his signature song I Left My Heart in San Francisco. The rest is pretty much history.

Oliver Stone - Infantry

Oliver Stone is a renowned Hollywood writer and director. He wrote Scarface as well as the war drama Platoon, for which he was also the director. He took his own experiences in the army as inspiration. He enlisted in 1967, requesting combat duty during the Vietnam war. He was honorably discharged in 1968 and was able to earn a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart for his service.

George W. Bush - National Guard

The 43rd President of the U.S. served in the Army as well. George W. Bush was commissioned in the Texas Air National Guard in 1968. After two years of training, he was assigned to Houston as a pilot. Bush served until 1972 when he was suspended from flying because he failed to show up at a scheduled physical exam. George was discharged from the Air Force Reserve in 1974 after which, he ventured into business. He started a company and later invested money in the Texas Ranger baseball franchise. Bush and his father met with the crown prince of Saudi Arabia in April 2018, a few months before the Jamal Khashoggi scandal broke out.

Audie Murphy - United States Army

Not only did Audie Murphy serve in the Army but he was one of the most decorated combat soldiers. Murphy wanted to join the military so badly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, that he falsified his documents to meet the minimum-age requirement. His sister helped him achieve that and so he enlisted in the Army after being refused by the Navy and the Marine Corps. Honored with a Medal of Honor, Audie had troubles sleeping after the war and developed an addiction to sleeping pills. He also slept with a loaded gun under his pillow. He did, however, have a successful acting career.

Chuck Norris - Air Force

Chuck Norris has a diary, and it's called the Guinness Book of World Records. Before becoming an actor and a legendary meme, Chuck first served in the U.S. Air Force in South Korea in 1958. Many don't know that while he was serving in Korea, he saw some locals practice some Tang Soo Do - and ended up reaching black belt levels by the time he left the Asian country. Norris even founded the American Tang Soo Do back in 1966 and is now considered its grandmaster. He has taken advantage of his success to give back to the military community and, as an act of charity, donate to veterans regularly, serving as a spokesman for the Veterans Administration and hospitalized veterans.

Robin Quivers - United States Air Force

Robin Quivers is not only known as the co-host of The Howard Stern Show. She joined the United States, Air Force, knowing that her degree would be useful there. Robin graduated from the University of Maryland majoring in nursing.  Quivers was appointed as a second lieutenant and was then promoted to first lieutenant. She was a member of the United States Air Force Reserve until 1990. In 2012, Robin announced she had a tumor and had to undergo treatment. However, she recovered and returned to the studio in 2013. Robin currently has about $45 million in the bank.

Johnny Carson - US Navy

Before becoming a television host and comedian, Johnny Carson first joined the United States Navy in 1943. He started off as an apprentice shipman and was eventually promoted to a midshipman. He was assigned to the USS Pennsylvania in the Pacific Ocean. He then served as a communications officer in charge of decoding encrypted messages, while entertaining fellow soldiers with his comedy. Nowadays, he's won a Presidential Medal of Freedom, while his career in entertainment earned him six Emmys and numerous other awards. He's mostly famous for his show The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, which he hosted for exactly three decades.

James Blunt - Royal Army, Life Guards

British singer James Blunt is also a former British Army officer, in case you haven't heard. James was sponsored through university through a military scholarship so he had to serve a minimum of four years in the British Army. He received his training course at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and served in the Life Guards. In 1999, Blunt volunteered to be deployed with NATO to Kosovo and brought his guitar along. Blunt later became famous worldwide, thanks to his album Back to Bedlam and his single, You're Beautiful. He released the album The Afterlove in 2017 and embarked on a tour.

Shaggy - U.S. Marines

The Jamaican musician, singer, and DJ, Shaggy, is also a former United States Marine. He enlisted in 1988 and served with the Field Artillery Battery during the Persian Gulf War. Shaggy rose to the rank of lance corporal but he was also reduced in rank on two occasions. During his time in the Marine Corps, he practiced his singing and released his first hit in 1993, Oh Carolina. He went on to make tons of money in the music industry. In January 2018, Shaggy released Don't Make Me Wait with Sting, followed by another hit in November, titled You Know I Know.

Morgan Freeman - Fighter Pilot

If you've watched Bruce Almighty, then you might know Morgan Freeman as "God." He was able to deliver a staggering performance thanks to his distinct, deep voice. It's like he could hit you with his car and still calm you down just by talking to you! But before becoming the actor that he is today, he had once joined the US Air Force, back in 1955, as an automatic tracking radar repairman. He eventually had an epiphany, realizing that it wasn't what he wanted to do in his life and so acting classes were in due. He even said that sitting inside a fighter plane was like "sitting in the nose of a bomb." He left the Air Force in 1959.

Johnny Crawford - US Army

Johnny Crawford reached stardom for his performance on The Rifleman where he played the role of famed actor Chuck Connor's son. They developed great chemistry in front of the camera, which had an important impact on the success of the show. Johnny was in the U.S. Army for two years and his responsibilities were related to the industry, as he worked in the production of the films that would be used for the training of the troops. He reached the rank of sergeant before leaving the Army honorably in 1967. When Connor passed away, Johnny gave the eulogy, which spoke of how close the two actors had become over the years.

Willie Nelson - U.S. Air Force

Who doesn't know Willie Nelson, one of the most recognized country music singers with his signature hippie look? In his youth, Willie did all sorts of jobs to support himself, including being a pawn shop employee or a tree trimmer. Nelson left school and joined the United States Air Force in 1950. He served between eight and nine months. Nelson later became one of the leading figures of outlaw country and gained huge success. However, he had his fair share of troubles in 1990 when the IRS seized his assets and he was in dire need of a debt relief. He released two studio albums in 2018: Last Man Standing and My Way.

Charles Bronson - Air Force

Charles Bronson started acting in 1951, and mostly known for his roll in Once Upon a Time in the West. He died in 2003 at 81 years old leaving a legacy of stellar performances, mainly in Western films. He also shares a name with Britain’s most notorious prisoner. Not many people know he served in World War II as a combat pilot in the US air force and was awarded the Purple Heart. During the last years of his life, Bronson battled numerous health issues, from pneumonia and Alzheimer's disease to lung cancer and hip injuries.

Sean Connery - Royal Navy

Before becoming the famous "Bond - James Bond," Sean Connery first enlisted in the Royal Navy at the young age of 16. He only served for 3 years because he developed a stomach ulcer that threatened his health and put an untimely end to his military career. After being discharged, he moved on to a series of jobs and got into bodybuilding, which eventually paved the way for his career in modeling and film. The rest, as they say, is history but we are more than glad that he chose the path of acting instead of anything else.

Clint Eastwood - Lifeguard

The Man with No Name was actually named Clint Eastwood. But before being the iconic Western cowboy, Clint was drafted to serve in the Korean War. Knowing Clint, you would have guessed that he had a pretty awesome job. Well, you guessed wrong. Clint was a swimming instructor and didn't see much action on the field, and he was mostly stationed at Fort Ord.

Mel Brooks - Combat Engineers

You may know every single detail about the famous funny guy, including his shoe size or fortune, but are you familiar with the fact that Mel Brooks used to defuse German mines during World War II? Probably not! Brooks also fought in the Battle of Bulge. Well, as it happened, the multi-awarded actor was attending Brooklyn College when he got drafted into the army in 1944. After finishing the elite Army Specialized Training Program, he fought in the war as a corporal of the 1104 Engineer Combat Battalion. Luckily, Brooks came home safe and sound, ready to pursue a career in acting which has lasted for almost 70 years now.

Pat Sajak -  Armed Forces Radio DJ

Pat Sajak was working as a newsman for a local radio station when he became a member of U.S. Army in 1968. But instead of fighting at the frontline, the famous host spent his military days working as a disc jockey at the Armed Forces Radio Station. Thanks to his rather soft duty, he may not have felt the war at its worse. However, his short stint in Vietnam certainly helped him to grow professionally. Once he was back among civilians, Sajak worked various jobs until 1983 when he hit superstardom when he became the host of Wheel of Fortune. Twenty-four years later, Sajak is still hosting the famous TV game show which makes us wonder just how much money he has been able to invest in his savings account so far. He is not near bankruptcy, that's for sure.

Paul Newman - Navy

Before Paul Newman became a multi-awarded Oscar winner, he wanted to become a pilot in World War II. Unfortunately, he was colorblind so he wasn't able to. Instead, he was assigned to become a radioman and gunner for the United States Navy, where he served from 1943 to 1945. He then embarked on an acting career and managed to land roles in iconic films such as The Color of Money and Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid. Sadly, he passed away in 2008, at 83 years of age. Earlier in the same year, he had been diagnosed with lung cancer.

Kirk Douglas - Navy

Kirk Douglas turned 102 in 2018, and this living legend definitely doesn't need an introduction. He's one of the last remaining stars from Hollywood's Golden Age, and we bet that you didn't know that interesting fact about him.  Douglas has been in more than 90 movies over the course of his 64-year career, but before he called himself an actor, he served in World War II as a Navy lieutenant, then became a communications officer for submarine warfare. He was medically discharged in 1944. Kirk might have been in retirement for many years now, yet his legacy is still very much alive, especially given the fact that both his son and grandson are following his glorious path.

Gene Hackman - US Marines

Before starring in The French Connection and Unforgiven, Gene Hackman first served in the Marines. The cool thing was, Gene was only 16 at the time and had just run away from home. He then lied about his age to get himself enlisted in the United States Marine Corps as a radio operator for four and a half years.

He was stationed in China and was then assigned to Hawaii and Japan, respectively. He was discharged in 1951. This (once) young man sure had a lot of courage and determination, two qualities that brought him huge earnings later in his life.

Drew Carey - US Marines

Drew Carey of Whose Line Is It Anyway? and The Drew Carey Show served as a U.S. Marine Corps Reserve for six years, starting in 1981. Six years is a lot of time, don’t you think? It was during his time in the army that he discovered he could serve the United States of America a lot better by making people laugh.

And he did well! He started performing stand-up comedy while in service and then visited U.S. military bases in Iraq to help bring smiles to our troops. Considering that he now has his own star on the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame, we suppose that his choice to leave the Marines was more than wise!