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From Elvis Presley to Adam Driver: 7 stars who served in the military before becoming famous
7 stars who served in the military before becoming famous
Some of Hollywood’s biggest stars started far from film sets, recording studios and red carpets. Before becoming household names, several actors and musicians wore military uniforms, served during major conflicts or spent years in the armed forces. Their experiences ranged from flying combat missions during World War II to serving as military instructors and working with engineering units.
These celebrities’ military service highlights several such stories. These seven stars all spent time in uniform, some before the fame and some while building their careers.
Elvis Presley
Even the King of Rock and Roll had to follow orders. Elvis Presley was inducted into the U.S. Army on March 24, 1958, and did his basic training at Fort Hood, Texas. He was later sent to Germany, where he served with the 3rd Armoured Division.
According to the US Army’s official historical records, Presley served in Germany from October 1958 to March 1960. He was promoted to sergeant during his service and returned to the United States after completing his active-duty commitment. His military experience also became part of his public story, with his Army years later inspiring the 1960 film ‘G.I. Blues’.
Jimmy Stewart
Best known for classics like ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ and ‘Rear Window’, Jimmy Stewart had a military career that went far beyond a brief enlistment. He entered the US Army Air Forces in 1941 and used his existing flying experience to pursue pilot training.
The National Museum of the United States Air Force records that Stewart eventually served as a squadron commander and flew 20 combat missions during World War II. He continued his military involvement after the war as a member of the Air Force Reserve. In 1959, he was promoted to brigadier general, and he retired in 1968, leaving a military record that remains an extraordinary part of his legacy.
Mel Brooks
Comedy legend Mel Brooks saw the realities of war long before he made films like ‘The Producers’, ‘Blazing Saddles’ and ‘Young Frankenstein’. Born Melvin Kaminsky, he enlisted in the US Army in 1944, shortly after graduating from high school.
The US Army Corps of Engineers records that Brooks served with the 1104th Engineer Combat Group during World War II. His duties included working as a forward artillery observer and helping deactivate enemy land mines. His unit also took part in operations during the Battle of the Bulge. After the war, Brooks moved into comedy writing before establishing himself as an actor, director and producer.
James Earl Jones
James Earl Jones, remembered for his powerful voice as Darth Vader in ‘Star Wars’ and Mufasa in ‘The Lion King’, also served as an Army officer. Before he became one of the most recognisable voices in entertainment, Jones pursued military training after graduating from the University of Michigan.
According to the US Army’s account of its famous veterans, Jones received his commission as a second lieutenant in 1953 after completing the university’s Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program. After his initial training, he was assigned to set up a cold-weather training command at Camp Hale in Colorado. He later turned to acting, building a career across theatre, television and film.
Clint Eastwood
Clint Eastwood rose to international fame through Westerns like ‘The Good, the Bad and the Ugly’ and action films such as ‘Dirty Harry’. However, before his rise in Hollywood, he was drafted into the US Army during the Korean War.
The US Department of Defense reports that Eastwood was stationed at Fort Ord in California, where he worked as a swimming instructor. He also survived a military aircraft accident when the Navy bomber he was travelling in developed engine trouble and crashed off the California coast. Eastwood and the pilot managed to swim to shore. He received an honourable discharge in 1953 and later built a celebrated career as an actor and filmmaker.
Morgan Freeman
Morgan Freeman is known for his memorable performances in ‘The Shawshank Redemption’, ‘Driving Miss Daisy’ and ‘Million Dollar Baby‘. But acting wasn’t where his early ambitions pointed. After graduating from high school in 1955, Freeman turned down a drama scholarship and enlisted in the US Air Force.
According to the US Department of Defense, he trained as an automatic tracking radar repairman and served for four years before receiving an honourable discharge in 1959. He later moved to Los Angeles, studied acting and began working towards the screen career that would eventually earn him an Academy Award.
Adam Driver
Before playing Kylo Ren in the ‘Star Wars’ sequel trilogy, Adam Driver served in the United States Marine Corps. The actor enlisted in 2002, following the September 11 attacks, and served for more than two years.
The US Department of Defense notes that Driver trained as a mortarman and was preparing to deploy with his unit when a mountain-biking accident injured his sternum. He was medically discharged in 2004 before he could complete his four-year commitment. Driver went on to attend the Juilliard School and pursue acting, eventually earning recognition for films like ‘Marriage Story’ and ‘BlacKkKlansman’.
