Celebrities are usually identified for the things that have done, not the contents of their past before the superstardom. And to celebrate this year’s Veterans Day, we found several celebrities who served in the military with a twist. We compiled the most unlikely choices when it comes to donning an armed forces uniform.
Which means we opted to omit action stars and rappers in favor of comedians and laid-back personalities.
Check out the list below. You’re in for a surprise on most of these.
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Photos: Carrie Devorah / WENN
Photo: WENN
Pat Sajak
U.S. Army
Before he would go on to play “America’s Game,” Sajak served in Vietnam as a VJ for the Army.
Photo: WENN
Jimi Hendrix
U.S. Army
Somewhere in between becoming a Rock ‘N Roll legend and frying his brain with acid, Jimi was an Airborne soldier for Uncle Sam in the early 60s.
Photo: PBS
Bob Ross
U.S. Air Force
The late mild-mannered painter actually retired from the Air Force before becoming an artistic television personality.
Photo: Michael Politz/WENN
Hugh Hefner
U.S. Army
Hef traded his days spent as an Army writer for his own Playboy magazine after a couple of years. An obvious wise life choice.
Photo: WENN
Drew Carey
U.S. Marines
The Price is Right host used to be a militant Marine he gave a cars on the daily.
Photo: WENN
Johnny Carson
U.S. Navy
The immortalized late night talk show host served during World War II.
Photo: WENN
Morgan Freeman
U.S. Air Force
Freeman has been acting as long anyone can remember but he had a brief stint in the USAF in another lifetime.
Photo: HRC/WENN
Bill Cosby
U.S. Navy
Dr. William Henry Cosby, Jr. was active during the Korean War.
Photo: Nikki Nelson/WENN
Mel Brooks
U.S. Army
The genius behind Young Frankenstein was drafted into the Army during World War II.
Photo: Ivan Nikolov/WENN.com
Montel Williams
U.S. Navy
The motivational talk show host actually retired from the Naval Reserve which strengthened his skills to take them on a national stage.
Photo: WENN
Bea Arthur
U.S. Marines
The late Golden Girl used to be a Marine before the acting fame.
Photo: WENN
Clark Gable
U.S. Air Force
Hollywood’s original king volunteered his services for the country during the thick of World War II.
Photo: Mike Stotts/WENN
Don Rickles
The legendary comedian was instrumental during World War II, serving on a torpedo boat in the Pacific Ocean.
Photo: MovieClips/Universal Pictures
Ossie Davis
U.S. Army
Davis’ presence as a Civil Rights activist was equalled by his service in the Army’s Medical Corps during World War II.
Photo: WENN
James Doohan
Canadian Air Force
Mr. “Beam Up Scotty” was a member of the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery before he was frequently seen on fictional aircrafts.
