Oliver Stone
- In 1967, Stone enlisted in the US Army and requested combat duty in Vietnam. His military awards include a Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and Air Medal. Known as a director, he made an uncredited appearance in his own film 'Platoon' (1986).
Elvis Presley (1935–1977)
- The King was drafted into the US Army in 1958. He then commenced basic training at Fort Hood, TX before joining the 3rd Armored Division in Friedberg, Germany. He was honorably discharged in 1960.
Steve McQueen (1930–1980)
- McQueen joined the US Marine Corps in 1947. In an incident during an Arctic exercise he saved the lives of five other Marines, pulling them from a tank before it broke through ice into the sea.
Gene Hackman
- Hackman left home at age 16 and lied about his age to enlist in the US Marine Corps. He served four and a half years as a field radio operator stationed in China (Qingdao and later in Shanghai), and was honorably discharged in 1951.
The then-Princess Elizabeth joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service of the British Army in 1945, during the Second World War. There, Her Majesty trained as a mechanic and even learned how to drive trucks!
Clint Eastwood
- Drafted into the US Army in 1950, Eastwood was posted to Fort Ord in northern California for his entire stint in the military. He was honorably discharged in 1951.
Henry Fonda (1905–1982)
- Enlisted in the U Navy to fight in World War II, Fonda served on the destroyer USS Satterlee. He was later commissioned as a Lieutenant Junior Grade in Air Combat Intelligence in the Central Pacific and awarded the Bronze Star Medal.
From 2005 to 2013, Prince William served as a Lieutenant in the Royal Navy, as a Captain in the British Army, and a Squadron Leader in the RAF. The Prince of Wales famously served as a pilot in the RAF Search and Rescue Force.
Paul Newman (1925–2008)
- Newman served in the US Navy in World War II in the Pacific theater. Qualifying in torpedo bombers in 1944, Aviation Radioman Third Class Newman later flew as a turret gunner in an Avenger torpedo bomber.
James Garner (1928–2014)
- After enlisting in the California Army National Guard, he served his first seven months in California. Garner was later deployed to Korea as a rifleman in the 5th Regimental Combat Team. He received a Purple Heart.
The then-Prince Charles served in the Armed Forces from 1971 to 1976, including the Royal Air Force. In 1974, he qualified as a helicopter pilot. But of course, he also followed in the footsteps of his father and his ancestors and served in the Royal Navy.
Pryor served in the US Army from 1958 to 1960, but spent virtually the entire stint in an army prison, some of it spent incarcerated while stationed in West Germany.
Curtis enlisted in the US Navy after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He served aboard a submarine tender, the USS Proteus, and witnessed the Japanese surrender in Tokyo Bay.
Enlisting in the US Navy in 1918, Bogart was mentioned in dispatches as a model sailor who spent most of his sea time after the Armistice ferrying troops back from Europe.
Charlton Heston (1923–2008)
- Heston joined the US Army Air Forces in 1944. He served for two years as a radio operator and aerial gunner aboard a B-25 Mitchell medium bomber.
Rock Hudson (1925–1985)
- Hudson joined the US Navy during World War II. He served with the Aviation Repair and Overhaul Unit 2 and was later deployed to Samar, Philippines, as an aircraft mechanic.
Lee Marvin (1924–1987)
- Marvin enlisted in the US Marine Corps Reserve in 1942. He was wounded in action on June 18, 1944, during the assault on Mount Tapochau in the Battle of Saipan. His military awards include a Purple Heart.
George C. Scott (1927–1999)
- Scott joined the US Marine Corps, serving from 1945 to 1949. Among his duties was acting as an honor guard for military funerals at Arlington National Cemetery.
James Stewart (1908–1997)
- Stewart enjoyed a distinguished military career and was a World War II and Vietnam War veteran. He rose to the rank of Brigadier General in the US Air Force Reserve, becoming the highest-ranking actor in military history.
Ernest Borgnine (1917–2012)
- Borgnine joined the US Navy in October 1935, and was later honorably discharged in October 1941. He reenlisted again after the attack on Pearl Harbor. During World War II, he patrolled the Atlantic Coast on an antisubmarine warfare ship, the USS Sylph.
Rod Steiger (1925–2002)
- Steiger ran away from home at age 16 to join the US Navy during World War II. He saw action in the South Pacific, including the Battle of Iwo Jima.
Audie Murphy (1925–1971)
- One of the most decorated American combat soldiers of World War II, Murphy received every military combat award for valor available from the US Army.
Prince Harry had a military career for 10 years: from 2005 until 2015. The Prince achieved the rank of Captain in the Household Cavalry Regiment (Blues and Royals) of the British Army. The Prince underwent two tours of Afghanistan.
Assigned to a submarine chaser and then to a minesweeper, USS Incredible, during WWII, Van Cleef later saw action in the Black Sea. He was awarded the Bronze Star and the Good Conduct Medal.
These celebrities all saw action long before they heard "action." Browse this gallery for a roll call of famous film stars who all served in the military.
