13 Major Celebrities You Never Realized Served Our Country

The military is far from a typical place you'd expect to find a celebrity. But quite a few stars did just that, and some of them may SHOCK you!

Drew Carey

The comedian served in the Marine Corps Reserves from 1980 to 1986. "I think if I did not have such a great break, I would still be in the military," Carey said.

Johnny Carson

The king of late night TV 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 then.

Bea Arthur

The Golden Girl 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.

Tom Selleck

Before he 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

The country star enrolled in the Air Force in 1950, but he had to be medically discharged 9 months later due to some back problems.

Mickey Rooney

The Hollywood legend joined the U.S. Army in 1943 and served for 21 months.

Jimi Hendrix

The rock 'n' roll guitarist enlisted in the Army in 1961 and served for one year.

Hugh Hefner

Yep, the Playboy mogul himself was an Army soldier in World War II, from 1944 to 1946. While there, he won a sharpshooter badge!

Leonard Nimoy

The Star Trek legend 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.

Bob Ross

The happiest painter ever was enlisted in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years-- from 1961 to 1981.

Ed McMahon

The TV host and entertainer served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1941 to 1966.

Morgan Freeman

The actor 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

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

Bozo the Clown

His real name Robert Bell, he registered with the Selective Service in 1942 and served during World War II. Of course, the clown garb didn't come out until much later in 1960!

Dr. Ruth

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

Would you believe some of your favorite A-list stars were once homeless? Here's a list of some of the most famous celebs whose lives got off to shockingly rocky starts. Their poor backgrounds make their stories of success that much sweeter!

NEXT: 12 Celebs You'd Never Guess Grew Up Poor

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