Before they graced the silver screens of Hollywood, or were welcomed into home tv’s, and topped musical, historical, and awards charts – some of America’s most iconic faces once served in the Armed forces.
Some names such as Elvis, Chuck Norris, and Johnny Cash are well-known for their time spent in military service.
But here are seven that might be a surprise…
Bob Ross, Air Force
Before Bob Ross honed his soft-spoken demeanor as he brought serenity to the world with “The Joy of Painting”, Ross served as a drill sergeant in the Air Force. source
Originally from Orlando, Florida – the first time he saw snow, mountains, and sweeping landscapes was at his first duty station at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. Although Ross served 20 years in the service, retiring as a Master Sergeant, he never forgot the beauty of landscape, and often commented in his shows that his landscape choices were influenced by his time in Alaska.
MC Hammer, Navy
Long before Stanley Kirk Burrell sported ‘Hammer Pants’, he wore another iconic look as a sailor assigned with the Navy. He served as an Aviation Storekeeper, 3rd Class before embarking on a musical career, and once reigned top charts in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Morgan Freeman, Air Force
Morgan Freeman turned down a scholarship to Jackson State University in order to join the Air Force. Growing up, Freeman loved war films and particularly pieces featuring fighter pilots. He served as a radar technician and had aspirations for pilot training, until he was allowed to sit in a jet. It was there in the cockpit that he realized that what he truly wanted; the “movie version” of flying, after having an epiphany that he was sitting in the nose of a bomb. source Freeman followed his gut instinct to success, as one of Hollywood’s most beloved actors.
Clint Eastwood, Army
Clint Eastwood has held many titles throughout his life, including actor, director, producer, and Academy and Oscar Awards winner to name but a few. He was also drafted during the Korean War, and served as a swim instructor, before separating and using his GI Bill to study drama.
Eastwood continues to be inspired by and connected to the military, and directed the film, “The 15:17 Train to Paris” which chronicled the response of three young American servicemen as they stopped a terrorist attack aboard a Paris-bound train. source
Adam Driver, Marine Corps
Before he made his Broadway debut in 2010, and gained global recognition as Kylo Ren in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, Adam Driver served as a Lance Corporal in the Marine Corps. He was medically discharged after a severe mountain biking accident fractured his sternum.
Driver is also the founder of Arts in the Armed Forces (AITAF), a nonprofit that brings arts programming to military families and communities around the world. source
Bea Arthur, Marine Corps
The iconic actress who starred as Dorothy in the sitcom “The Golden Girls” was one of the first members of the Women’s Reserve, after she joined the Marines Corps on a whim. source As a truck driver and typist, Arthur channeled a future Dorothy Zbornak, as her personnel file described that she exhibited “meticulous good taste” and was “argumentative”, “over aggressive” and “officious—but probably a good worker if she has her own way.” The personnel file was spot-on, as Arthur soared to success upon leaving the service.
Harriet Tubman, Union Army
As the iconic leader of the Underground Railroad, Harriet Tubman was also the first woman in American history to lead a military expedition, as a spy during the Civil War. source Tubman was a master of disguise, and over the course of an estimated 19 missions, built a spy ring that is said to have freed 300 people to freedom and safety. source