Current actors who served in the military?
#1
DVD Talk Legend
Thread Starter
Current actors who served in the military?
In honor of Memorial Day, I need some help with this topic.
I know of lots of Hollywood actors/movie stars who either served in the military during WWII after they were already well known (Clark Gable, James Stewart, Robert Taylor, Robert Montgomery, Mickey Rooney, Tyrone Power, Eddie Albert, etc.) or became actors/stars after serving in the war (Lee Marvin, Charles Bronson, George Kennedy, Ernest Borgnine, George C. Scott, Charles Durning, Audie Murphy, etc.).
I just did a search for current actors who are Vietnam vets and I only got Dennis Franz. And, of course, director Oliver Stone. I know of Dale Dye and R. Lee Ermey, but they got their Hollywood careers based on their military expertise. Anyone here know of other Vietnam Vets who became name actors?
Are there any current name actors who served in the military in the last 20 years, in, say, the Gulf War, or Iraq and Afghanistan or just happen to have completed military service?
Thanks.
I know of lots of Hollywood actors/movie stars who either served in the military during WWII after they were already well known (Clark Gable, James Stewart, Robert Taylor, Robert Montgomery, Mickey Rooney, Tyrone Power, Eddie Albert, etc.) or became actors/stars after serving in the war (Lee Marvin, Charles Bronson, George Kennedy, Ernest Borgnine, George C. Scott, Charles Durning, Audie Murphy, etc.).
I just did a search for current actors who are Vietnam vets and I only got Dennis Franz. And, of course, director Oliver Stone. I know of Dale Dye and R. Lee Ermey, but they got their Hollywood careers based on their military expertise. Anyone here know of other Vietnam Vets who became name actors?
Are there any current name actors who served in the military in the last 20 years, in, say, the Gulf War, or Iraq and Afghanistan or just happen to have completed military service?
Thanks.
#2
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Re: Current actors who served in the military?
I know Rob Riggle has.
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Re: Current actors who served in the military?
Drew Carey was a Marine, as was the aforementioned Riggle, along with Harvey Keitel, Scott Glenn, David Eigenberg of Sex and the City, and Jim Beaver of Deadwood. Morgan Freeman was in the USAF, and Jeff Bridges was in the Coast Guard.
It's different now. Actors are starting younger and younger to establish themselves sooner, with many of them starting out as teenagers or earlier - there are less performers turning to acting only after completing college or military service.
It's different now. Actors are starting younger and younger to establish themselves sooner, with many of them starting out as teenagers or earlier - there are less performers turning to acting only after completing college or military service.
Last edited by DonnachaOne; 05-26-12 at 01:42 PM.
#8
Re: Current actors who served in the military?
Well, he seems to be more of an actor now than a makeup artist
Don't mean to derail the thread a bit, but does anyone know of any actors who were killed while enlisted? I know one of the Bowery Boys/Dead End Kids did.
Don't mean to derail the thread a bit, but does anyone know of any actors who were killed while enlisted? I know one of the Bowery Boys/Dead End Kids did.
#9
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Re: Current actors who served in the military?
Not a "name actor", or even an actor really, but worth mentioning is Gregory Gadson who appears in Battleship. Still active duty Army and he's said in interviews that he may not act again, but his story is worth checking out. (West Point football star who lost both legs in an explosion in Iraq in '07, now a colonel and motivational speaker.)
#10
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Re: Current actors who served in the military?
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Re: Current actors who served in the military?
Sterling Hayden was a certified bad ass. He was OSS. Like real, in the theatre, parachuting in deep behind enemy lines OSS.
Jason Robards, again a real hero, I forget how many of the major Pacific naval battles he was in but it was a lot, and he took home the Navy Cross for one of them.
James Arness was a real war hero, decorated for valour(forget which medal).
A guy some of you might recognize for being a bad guy a lot, Neville Brand, was as hero as heros come. He won so many medals and awards it's incredible.
As far as young actors, I don't know any recognizable names that haven't already been mentioned, but I've read several articles that said most of the actors playing soldiers in 'Green Zone'(I did not like it) were Iraq war vets.
Jason Robards, again a real hero, I forget how many of the major Pacific naval battles he was in but it was a lot, and he took home the Navy Cross for one of them.
James Arness was a real war hero, decorated for valour(forget which medal).
A guy some of you might recognize for being a bad guy a lot, Neville Brand, was as hero as heros come. He won so many medals and awards it's incredible.
As far as young actors, I don't know any recognizable names that haven't already been mentioned, but I've read several articles that said most of the actors playing soldiers in 'Green Zone'(I did not like it) were Iraq war vets.
#14
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Thread Starter
Re: Current actors who served in the military?
Lee Powell, the first actor to play the Lone Ranger and co-star of the Marine-themed serial, FIGHTING DEVIL DOGS, died as a Marine in the Pacific after battling the Japanese on Tinian in the Marianas Islands. He survived the battle but got sick after drinking a home-made brew concocted by other marines to celebrate their victory.
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Re: Current actors who served in the military?
J.R. Martinez
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Re: Current actors who served in the military?
#24
Re: Current actors who served in the military?
Lee Powell, the first actor to play the Lone Ranger and co-star of the Marine-themed serial, FIGHTING DEVIL DOGS, died as a Marine in the Pacific after battling the Japanese on Tinian in the Marianas Islands. He survived the battle but got sick after drinking a home-made brew concocted by other marines to celebrate their victory.
I'm actually surprised at how so few people know of Stewart's military record.
And kudos to Dr. Mabuse for bringing up Neville Brand!
#25
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Current actors who served in the military?
Warren Beatty was in the Air National Guard.
Charlie Murphy was in the Navy.
Michael Conner Humphreys, who played the young Forrest Gump, went on to serve in the Army.
Charlie Murphy was in the Navy.
Michael Conner Humphreys, who played the young Forrest Gump, went on to serve in the Army.