When looking at well-known figures with military backgrounds, they generally fall into two broad groups. Some are remembered chiefly for their service and wartime achievements, with their reputations shaped largely by what they accomplished in uniform. Others went on to become widely recognized in completely different fields—such as entertainment, sports, or public life—but also spent part of their lives serving in the military.
The first group includes individuals whose names are closely tied to military history, such as Chesty Puller, whose battlefield leadership became legendary. The second includes figures like Elvis Presley, who became famous for achievements outside the armed forces, yet still spent time in uniform during their lives. Though their paths differed greatly, both groups share the experience of military service as an important chapter in their personal histories.
The following section highlights a selection of notable figures from both categories.
MC Hammer
MC Hammer, real name Stanley Kirk Burrell, is an American rapper who shot to celebrity status in the 1980s and ’90s with the release of a number of popular songs, including “2 Legit 2 Quit” and “U Can’t Touch This.” Many might not know, however, that he’s among those celebrities who served in the military before achieving stardom.
Before making an impact on the music scene, Burrell tried to become a pro baseball player, but failed to make it past tryouts. Following this, he joined the US Navy, serving with Patrol Squadron (PATRON) FOUR SEVEN (VP-47) – better known as the “Golden Swordsmen” – out of Naval Air Station Moffett Field, California.
At the time of his discharge, he was a petty officer third class aviation store keeper.
Charles Bronson
Legendary actor Charles Bronson served with the US Army Air Forces during World War II. He enlisted in the service in 1943 and was initially assigned to the 760th Flexible Gunnery Training Squadron. He was transferred to the 61st Bombardment Squadron, 39th Bombardment Group two years later, serving as an aerial gunner aboard Boeing B-29 Superfortresses.
While with the 61st, Bronson flew 25 missions over Guam, and during one suffered injuries to his arms. This resulted in him being awarded the Purple Heart. While there are some who have discounted his military service, claiming he was simply a delivery truck driver for the 760th Mess Squadron in Arizona, records have since been located to prove his service in the Pacific.
Adam Driver
Adam Driver is among the many celebrities who enlisted in the military following a major event in American history. For him, it was September 11th attacks that prompted him to join the US Marine Corps, just two months after his 18th birthday. Following boot camp, he was assigned to Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division at Camp Pendleton, California as an 81 mm mortarman.
In 2004, Driver was involved in a mountain biking accident, which resulted in him fracturing his sternum just before he and his unit were set to be deployed to Iraq. While he tried to push through, he ultimately had to be hospitalized, and was discharged from the Marines with the rank of lance corporal.
Driver has stated on a number of occasions that his service with the US military is among the proudest moments of his life.
Gal Gadot
After being crowned Miss Israel in 2004, Gal Gadot went on to complete mandatory service in the Israel Defense Forces, a requirement for Israeli citizens over 18, with women typically serving between two and three years.
During her service, Gadot worked as a combat fitness instructor, where she trained other soldiers in physical conditioning, including gymnastics and calisthenics. She has said that her military experience helped develop the strength, discipline, and mental toughness that later supported her transition into physically demanding film roles, and she often describes it as instilling a strong sense of “discipline and respect.”
Chuck Norris
One of the less surprising entries on this list is Chuck Norris. Norris was a legendary American film producer, actor, and martial artist, famously known for being the only person to have counted to infinity—twice.
Before becoming a film star and the subject of countless internet memes, he served in the military. Norris enlisted in the US Air Force in 1958 as an Air Policeman and was stationed at Osan Air Base in South Korea. It was there that he developed an interest in martial arts, a passion that would largely influence his later career.
After returning to the United States, Norris was stationed at March Air Force Base in California before being discharged in 1962 with the rank of airman first class. He passed away in 2026.
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger has a list of achievements that could fill multiple libraries. He’s the most famous bodybuilder in history. Once he retired from the sport, he tried his hand in Hollywood, again reaching the top of his field as one of the most famous stars ever – and, for a time, the highest-paid. On top of all that, he somehow managed to squeeze in the time to become the governor of California, too.
Born in Austria, Schwarzenegger served a year in the Austrian Army in 1965, at the time a compulsory requirement for all males over the age of 18. While serving, he snuck off base to participate in the Junior Mr. Europe bodybuilding competition. He won, but, upon his return, was placed in a military prison for a week.
“Participating in the competition meant so much to me that I didn’t carefully think through the consequences,” Schwarzenegger later said about the experience.
Morgan Freeman
The final entry on our list of celebrities you may not know who served in the military is Morgan Freeman. Long before becoming known for his unmistakable voice, commanding screen presence, and memorable performances, Freeman chose a very different path after high school. Despite being offered a partial drama scholarship, he turned it down and instead enlisted in the United States Air Force.
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Freeman served as an Automatic Tracking Radar repairman, maintaining radar systems used to monitor aircraft operations. He remained in the Air Force until 1959 before leaving military life behind to pursue acting—a decision that would eventually lead to one of the most celebrated careers in film. Looking back on his time in service, Freeman later reflected candidly on the experience, saying, “I took to it immediately. I did three years, eight months, and ten days in all, but it took me a year and a half to get disabused of my romantic notions about it.” His military service remains a lesser-known but fascinating chapter in the life of one of Hollywood’s most recognizable figures.