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12 Hollywood Stars Who Served: The Surprising Military Ranks And Combat Stories Of Famous Actors

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The glitz and glamour of Hollywood often overshadow the incredible, real-life backstories of its biggest stars. As of December 2025, a deep dive into the biographies of screen legends and modern icons reveals a surprising number of actors who traded the red carpet for the barracks, serving in nearly every branch of the U.S. and British armed forces, from World War II combat zones to post-9/11 deployments. Their time in uniform often instilled the discipline, resilience, and perspective that would later define their celebrated acting careers, proving that some of the greatest heroes on screen were first heroes in real life.

The transition from military service to movie stardom is a path less traveled today, but it remains a foundational part of Hollywood’s history, with veterans shaping the industry from its Golden Age to the present. These actors’ stories are a testament to their dedication, whether they were flying combat missions, serving as a radar technician, or driving trucks for the Marine Corps Women’s Reserve. Here are the true ranks, branches, and service details of 12 of the most famous actors and actresses who were in the military.

The Highest-Ranking and Most Decorated Hollywood Veterans

The military service of some actors wasn't a brief stint but a dedicated, decades-long commitment that saw them achieve high rank and distinction. These individuals often put their burgeoning careers on hold to answer the call of duty, returning to Hollywood with a profound sense of purpose.

James Stewart: Brigadier General, U.S. Air Force

James "Jimmy" Stewart is arguably the most decorated actor in American military history. Before his iconic roles in classics like It's a Wonderful Life, Stewart was the first major American movie star to enlist in the U.S. Army Air Corps before the U.S. entered World War II.

  • Branch: U.S. Army Air Corps, later U.S. Air Force Reserve.
  • Service Years: 1941–1968.
  • Rank: Brigadier General (Reserve).
  • Notable Service: Stewart flew 20 combat missions over Germany as a squadron commander, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters. He remained in the Air Force Reserve after the war, retiring as a Brigadier General in 1968, making him the highest-ranking actor to serve in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Audie Murphy: The Most Decorated Soldier of WWII

While James Stewart achieved the highest rank, Audie Murphy holds the distinction of being the most decorated American combat soldier of World War II. After his service, he starred in over 40 films, often playing himself or other war heroes.

  • Branch: U.S. Army.
  • Service Years: 1942–1945.
  • Rank: First Lieutenant.
  • Notable Service: Murphy received every military combat award for valor available, including the Medal of Honor, the U.S. military's highest decoration. His post-war acting career was a direct result of his fame as a true American hero.

From Marine Mortarman to Movie Star: The Post-9/11 Generation

The modern era of Hollywood veterans is best exemplified by actors who enlisted after the September 11th attacks, a time when the draft was no longer in effect. Their decision to serve was purely voluntary, adding a new layer of dedication to their stories.

Adam Driver: Lance Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps

Adam Driver is the most famous contemporary actor with a military background. He enlisted in the Marines shortly after the 9/11 attacks, driven by a desire to serve his country.

  • Branch: U.S. Marine Corps.
  • Service Years: 2002–2004.
  • Rank: Lance Corporal.
  • Notable Service: Driver served as a mortarman with the Weapons Platoon, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines. His service was cut short by a sternum injury sustained in a training accident, preventing him from deploying to Iraq. He later founded Arts in the Armed Forces (AITAF), a non-profit that brings free arts programming to military communities.

Gene Hackman: Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps

Before becoming a two-time Oscar winner, Gene Hackman lied about his age at 16 to enlist in the Marines. His early life in the military contrasted sharply with the acting career he would later pursue.

  • Branch: U.S. Marine Corps.
  • Service Years: 1947–1952.
  • Rank: Corporal.
  • Notable Service: Hackman served as a field radio operator, and his time included a deployment to China, earning him the China Service Medal. The discipline he learned in the Marines was instrumental in his later success.

Rock & Roll, Westerns, and Sitcoms: Stars Who Served During Global Conflicts

The spectrum of military service among actors is broad, encompassing everything from combat roles in foreign wars to specialized technical and instructional positions.

Bea Arthur: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps Women's Reserve

The beloved star of The Golden Girls and Maude had one of the most surprising military careers. Bea Arthur was one of the first women to join the Marine Corps Women's Reserve during World War II.

  • Branch: U.S. Marine Corps Women's Reserve.
  • Service Years: 1943–1945.
  • Rank: Staff Sergeant.
  • Notable Service: Arthur served as a truck driver and dispatcher at USMCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina, demonstrating exceptional dedication that led to her rapid promotion to Staff Sergeant.

Clint Eastwood: Corporal, U.S. Army

Clint Eastwood, the quintessential American Western and action star, was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean War. However, his service took an unexpected turn that kept him stateside.

  • Branch: U.S. Army.
  • Service Years: 1951–1953.
  • Rank: Corporal (Cpl).
  • Notable Service: Eastwood served as a swimming instructor at Fort Ord, California. His most famous military anecdote involves surviving a plane crash into the Pacific Ocean while hitching a ride, forcing him to swim several miles to shore.

Morgan Freeman: Airman First Class, U.S. Air Force

Before becoming the voice of God in Hollywood, Morgan Freeman was captivated by the idea of flying. He passed up a drama scholarship to enlist, initially hoping to become a fighter pilot.

  • Branch: U.S. Air Force.
  • Service Years: 1955–1959.
  • Rank: Airman First Class (A1C).
  • Notable Service: Freeman served as a radar repairman, a technical role that didn't involve flying. He later realized his true passion was acting, not flying, a turning point that led him back to the stage.

Elvis Presley: Sergeant, U.S. Army

In 1958, at the height of his fame, Elvis Presley was drafted. Unlike many celebrities, he refused to seek special treatment or a non-combat role, serving as a regular soldier.

  • Branch: U.S. Army.
  • Service Years: 1958–1960.
  • Rank: Sergeant.
  • Notable Service: Presley served overseas in West Germany with the 1st Medium Tank Battalion, 32nd Armored Regiment. His honorable and dedicated service earned him respect globally and helped to solidify his public image.

Sir Michael Caine: Royal Fusiliers, British Army

The legendary British actor, Sir Michael Caine, was called up for National Service in the British Army. His experience in combat profoundly influenced his worldview and acting career.

  • Branch: British Army.
  • Service Years: 1952–1954.
  • Rank: Private.
  • Notable Service: Caine served in the Royal Fusiliers and saw combat during the Korean War. He has often spoken about how his experience in the war taught him to appreciate life and gave him the focus needed to pursue acting.

The Disciplinary Foundation: More Hollywood Veterans Who Served

Many other familiar faces owe a debt of gratitude to their formative years in the armed forces, where they learned the discipline and work ethic that propelled them to success. The list of actors who served in the military is long, demonstrating a continuous tradition of service in Hollywood.

Chuck Norris: Airman First Class, U.S. Air Force. Norris served as an air policeman at Osan Air Base in South Korea from 1958 to 1962. Crucially, it was during his service that he began training in martial arts, a skill that would define his entire career.

Drew Carey: Sergeant (E-5), U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. The comedian and game show host served for six years as a field radio operator in the Marine Corps Reserve, often citing his time in the military as the source of his famous crew cut and his disciplined approach to comedy.

Harvey Keitel: Private, U.S. Marine Corps. The intense method actor enlisted at 17 and served for three years, including a deployment to Lebanon in 1958. Keitel credits the Marines with teaching him the discipline and focus necessary for his acting craft.

Further Notable Hollywood Veterans (15+ Entities)

To fully appreciate the scope of military service in the entertainment industry, consider this extended list of actors and actresses who were veterans:

  • Alan Alda: U.S. Army Reserve (Korean War).
  • Bob Newhart: U.S. Army (Korean War).
  • Steve McQueen: U.S. Marine Corps (1947–1950), Private First Class.
  • Robert Duvall: U.S. Army (1953–1954), Private First Class.
  • Sidney Poitier: U.S. Army (1943–1944).
  • Dennis Franz: U.S. Army (Vietnam War), 82nd Airborne Division.
  • James Earl Jones: U.S. Army (1953–1955), First Lieutenant.
  • Lee Marvin: U.S. Marine Corps (WWII), Private First Class, Purple Heart recipient.
  • George C. Scott: U.S. Marine Corps (1945–1949), Corporal.
  • Jimi Hendrix: U.S. Army (1961–1962), 101st Airborne Division. (Musician/Actor).
  • Don Rickles: U.S. Navy (WWII).
  • Tony Bennett: U.S. Army (WWII), saw combat in Germany. (Musician/Actor).

These stories—from a Brigadier General who flew combat missions to a Staff Sergeant who drove trucks—reveal that the discipline, courage, and experience gained in uniform are powerful foundations for a career in the unpredictable world of acting. The lessons learned in the military often translate directly to the set: teamwork, focus, and the ability to perform under pressure, proving that for these stars, the military was their first, and perhaps most important, acting school.

actors that were in the military
actors that were in the military

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