Celebrity Biographies
9 Celebrities Who Were In The Military (Army, Navy, Air Force)
Although celebrities are mostly tagged as A Selfish Bunch, but over the years a few celebrities have signed up to make the ultimate sacrifice for their country. An impressive number of celebrities have joined the US military over the years. Some of them were drawn up by the authorities, others voluntarily, others even multiple times. Some celebs joined due to pressure from authorities, while some joined to improve their public image. A perfect example is pop star Elvis Presley, who joined the army to give his career another boost.
Many celebrities from Hollywood’s golden age worked in some way to support the US cause in World War II. The controversial Vietnam War was another occasion when many celebrities joined the army, although some were reluctant to do so.
The following list includes established actors like Clint Eastwood, Paul Newman and Morgan Freeman and musicians like Jerry Garcia and Elvis Presley. Here are other celebrities who have served in the military.
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Clint Eastwood
Clint Eastwood is considered an enduring cultural icon of masculinity. Casting the dashing anti-hero in some of his early films certainly helped Eastwood gain fame and following. However, that doesn’t mean he wasn’t a talented entertainer. Over the years Eastwood has proven his qualities as a top actor, director and producer. Eastwood won the Academy Award for Best Director and Producer for Best Picture and also received Best Actor nominations.
Before finding success in the show, however, Eastwood moved from one job to another. After graduating, he worked as a lumberjack and forest warrior in Oregon and as a steelworker in Seattle. He was eventually drafted into the US Army for the Korean War. He received his basic training at Ft. Ord Army Base in California. Because of his experience as an amateur swimmer during college days, he got a job as a swimming instructor and stayed in Ft. Order no.
While in the army, Eastwoodin was involved in a serious accident. Eastwood rode in a Navy torpedo bomber on the drive back from meeting his family in Seattle. Mid-air, the plane ran out of fuel and crashed into the ocean near Point Reyes. Along with the pilot, Eastwood escaped from sinking planes and swam 5 km to safety.
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Morgan Freeman
Morgan Freeman, known for his sonorous voice and classic acting style, showed his acting talents at a very young age. During his childhood he took part in a number of school plays and competitions, often winning leading roles and awards. Despite his natural talent and success in drama, Freeman did not pursue an acting career after high school. Instead, he devoted himself to his other great passion. Even as a child he was captivated by war films and especially loved the idea of flying. That’s why he joined the US Air Force in 1955. He even turned down a Jackson State University drama scholarship to apply for it. However, it turned out that not everything was as Freeman expected and he had to become a radar technician. And when he finally got the chance training as a fighter pilot made him realize that it wasn’t what he had imagined or wanted in life. He realized he was in love with the idea of being an Air Force pilot, not becoming one. Freeman acted on his gut and left the Air Force in 1959. He moved to Los Angeles where he struggled day after day to pursue his acting dreams. Thanks are due to him, however, when he was beaten and continued to work hard. It was about twenty years before he began appearing in stage productions and gaining popularity in film and television. Freeman acted on his gut and left the Air Force in 1959. He moved to Los Angeles where he struggled day after day to pursue his acting dreams. Thanks are due to him, however, when he was beaten and continued to work hard. It was about twenty years before he began appearing in stage productions and gaining popularity in film and television. Freeman acted on his gut and left the Air Force in 1959. He moved to Los Angeles where he struggled day after day to pursue his acting dreams. Thanks are due to him, however, when he was beaten and continued to work hard. It was about twenty years before he began appearing in stage productions and gaining popularity in film and television.
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Elvis Presley
By the time he joined the Army, Elvis Presley had created a huge sensation with his baritone and tenor and gyrating hips. His blues love songs like “Love Me Tender” had made him a firm favorite among teenagers. And his rebellious nature helped make him a huge star. However, his unique dance style, considered obscene by many and his other antics, had earned him much bad publicity. Colonel Tom Parker, Presley’s manager, felt that a post in the Army would cleanse Presley’s image and improve his popularity among older viewers. Special Services were particularly interested in the elaboration. Over the years, many have believed that Presley refused Special Services because he wanted to work as a regular soldier. However, the truth is that Parker didn’t want Services to monetize Crooner’s talent. If he had come to Services, Presley would have to perform for free, and the recordings of the performances would be sold to television stations around the world.
So, on March 24, 1958, Presley became a regular soldier. Even his famous tousled hair was shaved according to army requirements. He remained in the service for two years, during which time he met his future wife, Priscilla Beaulieu, and became addicted to stimulants and barbiturates. And, as his manager, Parker, foresaw, Presley’s time in the military brought him a new following in an older age group.
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Bill Cosby
Before he got into the multiple sex issue, Bill Cosby was one of the most successful and respected comedians in the business. Now he’s only having success, which has been marred by allegations of drugging women for sexual exploitation. In fact, he’s been accused of rape, drug abuse, and/or sexual misconduct by at least 51 women. His television sitcom The Cosby Show was ranked as America’s best show in five years from 1984 to 1989.
Before becoming a successful comedian, Cosby had completed a four-year stint in the Navy before being honorably discharged in 1960. During his medical officer training, he served aboard ships and at the naval base at Quantico, Virginia before being sent to Bethesda Naval Hospital. He was also assigned to work with victims of the Korean War. He also won several awards on the Navy track team. On the negative side, he had to endure racial discrimination.
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Chuck Norris
Chuck Norris is one of the most popular action stars in Hollywood. His superhuman feats have been described in countless internet memes. Jokes aside, however, Norris is one of the most accomplished US martial artists. He has been middleweight karate world champion for six years. He was also named Black Belt magazine’s 1969 Fighter of the Year. He studied Tang Soo Do and Tae Kwon Do, which are famous Korean martial art forms. He was also the first Westerner to earn an 8th degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. If it hadn’t been for his time in the army, in all likelihood he wouldn’t have joined the martial arts. Norris, who joined the Air Force right out of high school, was introduced to the martial arts in Korea.
To his credit, Norris hasn’t forgotten the giant role his military career played in his success. He has assumed the role of spokesperson on behalf of the Veterans Administration and hospitalized veterans. No wonder he was named Veteran of the Year at the American Veteran Awards Show.
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Paul Newman
Paul Newman was a man of multiple talents. He was a successful American actor, film director, entrepreneur, professional race car driver and team owner. He was also known for his work as an environmentalist, liberal social activist, and philanthropist. What is amazing and very impressive about Newman’s variety of talents and roles is that he was good at all of them. As an actor he has won several prestigious awards such as the Oscar and BAFTA awards while as a professional racing driver he has won several national championships. As a philanthropist, he has given around $430 million, most of it from his earnings from the grocery chain. Newman’s own .
However, his first passion was to become a pilot for the Air Force. To this end, he entered the Navy’s V-12 program at Yale University. However, his hopes were dashed when it was revealed that he was color blind. He was transferred to basic training where he qualified as a backseat radio operator and torpedo bomber gunner. He was also assigned to the USS Bunker Hill, which fought in the 1945 Battle of Okinawa. However, Newman was grounded due to an ear infection. For his military service, he was awarded the American Area Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal.
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Jerry Garcia
Jerry Garcia, who is known for his lead guitar work, singing and songwriting with the band The Grateful Dead, had a pretty rough childhood and wild teenage years. Among his worst antics from a young age was stealing his mother’s car in 1960. As punishment, he was forced to join the US Army. Even the rebellious 17-year-old Garcia thought it was a perfect opportunity to see the world. But things didn’t change much in the army either. During his nine-month stay, he spent most of his free time playing the guitar he had smuggled in. He made a habit of missing roll calls and eventually amassed multiple counts of AWOL. Thus, after only months of joining the army, he was discharged because he “
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Hugh Hefner
Before becoming the greatest playboy of them all, Hugh Hefner was a soldier in World War II and the brains behind the famous Playboy magazine. Known for his hedonistic lifestyle, he served two years in the Army, beginning with his induction in 1944 as an infantry clerk shortly after graduating from high school. He earned a sniper badge during basic training and also made it through “Killer College,” where troops were asked to complete maneuvers while dropping real grenades. However, his main contribution during his time in the army was the army newspapers. His cartoons for these newspapers were quite famous. After leaving the army, he became interested in art and enrolled in a few courses before taking a position as a copywriter at Esquire Magazine in Chicago.
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Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix is one of the greatest guitarists in world rock ‘n’ roll history. He was known for playing his signature left-handed Stratocaster with his teeth before setting it on fire. Before becoming one of the most famous musicians, however, he had a brief stint in the armed forces. But unlike some of the other celebrities on this list, Hendrix’s military service was not voluntary. Young and talented James has a stolen car problem. He had a choice – he could either spend two years in prison or join the army. In the army, however, Hendrix’s rebellious nature did not impress his superiors. His many faults included sleeping on duty, constant surveillance, and the lack of a good marksman. his inclination playing the guitar in his free time also annoyed other men in the barracks who just wanted to get a good night’s sleep. Although committed to three years of service, an ankle injury sustained during a skydive offered Young Hendrix the opportunity to retire from active duty with an honorable discharge after one year of service. It was found that his problems could not be treated by “hospitalization or counseling”. Hendrix was more than pleased to comply. to retire from active duty with an honorable discharge after a year of service. It was found that his problems could not be treated by “hospitalization or counseling”. Hendrix was more than pleased to comply. to retire from active duty with an honorable discharge after a year of service. It was found that his problems could not be treated by “hospitalization or counseling”. Hendrix was more than pleased to comply.