Celebrities in the Military: 14 Beloved Stars We Never Realized Were Veterans!

God bless these amazing actors, musicians and comedians served our country before they were famous!

By Carissa Mosness Updated: November 11, 2023

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We are so grateful to the men and women in the armed forces who keep our country safe and help give us the freedoms we enjoy every day. And we recently discovered there are many veterans that we unwittingly welcome into our hearts and homes through their movies, music or roles on the small screen. That’s right — many of our favorite celebrities got their start the military!

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We loved to see that happy-go-lucky Bob Ros s served in the United States Air Force for 20 years before becoming an on-screen painter. Or how before he became a country music icon, Willie Nelson also served in the Air Force but had to leave for a shocking medical reason. Or maybe you didn’t know that this iconic Golden Girl was one of the first members of the Women’s Reserve in the Marines.

Here we’ve gathered 14 of the amazing celebrities that we didn’t know were veterans, so every time we see them on screen or hear their music, we can say a silent prayer of, “Thank you for your service.”

14 celebrities that were in the military

Drew Carey

1980/2023 Pintrest; Matt Winkelmeyer / Staff/Getty
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Comedian and game show host Drew Carey served in the Marine Corps Reserves from 1980 to 1986 before becoming a beloved TV personality.
Johnny Carson

1943/1995 Pinterest/CARLO ALLEGRI / Stringer/Getty
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The king of late-night TV, the late, great, Johnny Carson served in the U.S. Navy during World War II from 1943 to 1945. He said one of his best memories was performing magic tricks to try and help boost morale.
Bea Arthur

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The iconic Golden Girl Bea Arthur was one of the first members of the Women's Reserve in the Marines, serving from 1943 to 1945. She drove military trucks and was also a typist.

Related: ‘The Golden Girls’ Secrets: 12 Amazing Stories About Rose, Blanche, Dorothy and Sophia
Tom Selleck

1967/2017 Facebook; Noam Galai / Contributor/Getty
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Before young Tom Selleck sprouted his famous mustache and many years before Magnum P.I., the actor served in the California National Guard from 1967 until 1973.
Willie Nelson

1950/2023 Pintrest; SUZANNE CORDEIRO / Contributor/ Getty
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The country star himself, Willie Nelson, enrolled in the Air Force in 1950, but he had to be medically discharged 9 months later due to back problems.

Related: Willie Nelson Songs: 15 of the Outlaw Country Icon’s Hits, Ranked & the Stories Behind Them
Mickey Rooney

1943/2014 Pintrest; Alberto E. Rodriguez / Staff/ Getty
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The Hollywood legend Mickey Rooney joined the U.S. Army in 1943 and served for 21 months.
Jimi Hendrix

1961/1970 Pintrest; Michael Ochs Archives / Stringer/Getty
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The rock 'n' roll guitarist, Jimi Hendrix, enlisted in the Army in 1961 and served for one year before switching back to his guitar.
Hugh Hefner

1944/2014 Pintrest; Charley Gallay / Stringer/Getty
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Yep, the Playboy mogul Hugh Hefner was an Army soldier in World War II, from 1944 to 1946. While there, he won a sharpshooter badge!
Leonard Nimoy

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The Star Trek legend Leonard Nimoy enlisted in the United States Army Reserves in the early 1950's, and served for a total of 18 months. He was discharged with the rank of a sergeant.

Related: The Original ‘Star Trek’ Cast: Where They’ve Boldly Gone, Then and Now
Bob Ross

1961/1991 Pintrest; Acey Harper / Contributor/Getty
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The happiest painter ever, Bob Ross, was enlisted in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years — from 1961 to 1981. Wonder if he ever painted while he was there?
Ed McMahon

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The TV host and entertainer Ed McMahon served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1941 to 1966 before he left and went into show business.
Morgan Freeman

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The incredible actor, whose voice your most likely would recognize anywhere, Morgan Freeman, was so interested in flying that he turned down a drama scholarship to enlist! He joined the U.S. Air Force in 1955 and left in 1959.
James Earl Jones

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Famed for voicing Darth Vader in Star Wars, James Earl Jones, was enlisted in the army from 1953 to 1955. He even became a first lieutenant!
Dr. Ruth

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Though she didn't serve the USA, Dr.Ruth the famed media personality served in Israel as a trained sniper in 1947 and 1948. Who knew?!