Saturday, November 11th marks Veterans Day in the US and is an important day for numerous stars who have served their country.
The holiday began as Armistice Day to commemorate the end of major combat operations in World War I at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918 – although the holiday was later renamed Veterans Day in 1954 to better serve those serving in the war To pay tribute in the military in other wars and conflicts.
Many actors and celebrities have donned uniforms to perform, but some of Hollywood’s biggest stars have also had their own experiences serving in the military.
From some of the entertainment industry’s greatest filmmakers (Clint Eastwood) to its greatest actors (Morgan Freeman) to a new generation of stars (Adam Driver), numerous film and television greats have served in the military.
In honor of Veterans Day, DailyMail.com takes a look at some of the biggest stars, past and present, serving in uniform…
Veterans Day: Some of Hollywood’s biggest stars, including Clint Eastwood and Adam Driver, have served in the military; Eastwood can be seen in LA in 2020. Service: To commemorate Veterans Day, DailyMail.com looks back at stars who have worn military uniforms; Driver seen in Venice on August 31st
Clint Eastwood
Movie Star: Clint Eastwood played military men throughout his long career, but also served in the Army during the Korean War. Home Service: He was stationed at Fort Ord, California and worked as a swimming instructor
Clint Eastwood starred as a military man in “Heartbreak Ridge” and dramatized the deadly battles of Iwo Jima in “Flags of Our Fathers.”
But years before, he served in the military himself.
The filmmaker-turned-Western star was drafted into the Army during the Korean War and sent to Ford Ord, California, for training.
There he worked as a swimming instructor and lifeguard before being fired in 1953.
It was at Ford Ord that Eastwood made his first contacts that led him to Hollywood, where he launched a successful television career before traveling to Spain and Italy to film a series of spaghetti westerns (“A Fistful Of Dollars,” ” For A Few Dollars More”, “A Fistful Of Dollars” and “For A Few Dollars More”); and The Good, The Bad And The Ugly), which would breathe new life into his career and make him a leading film star.
Adam Driver
Inspired: Adam Driver was inspired to enlist after the September 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon in 2001. Beginnings: He joined the Marines and was assigned to Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines
Adam Driver was inspired to get involved after the September 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon in 2001.
He joined the Marines and was assigned to Weapons Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Marines.
“I joined … feeling, as I think most people in the country did at the time, filled with a sense of patriotism and vengeance and a desire to do something,” he explained in a 2015 Ted Talk. “That coupled with the fact that I didn’t do anything.”
He later spoke to The Guardian about how his service changed his perspective and made him appreciate the things he had been missing during his service.
“There’s something about joining the military and losing all your identity and possessions: all that clarity of purpose,” he shared. “When you get your freedom back, you realize there are things you want to do.”
Driver’s breakthrough role came with the role of bad-boy boyfriend Adam Sackler in Lena Dunham’s HBO series “Girls,” and that role landed him in supporting roles for major filmmakers like Steven Spielberg, Noah Baumbach, Martin Scorsese, and Spike Lee, among many others .
He shot to superstardom with his casting as Kylo Ren in the latest Star Wars trilogy and has since become a fixture in both blockbuster and arthouse cinema.
Morgan Freeman
Change of plans: After graduating from high school, Morgan Freeman was offered an acting scholarship to Jackson State University, but he declined the offer to join the Air Force in 1955 instead. Specialized: He served as a radar technician until his discharge in 1959
After graduating from high school, Morgan Freeman was offered an acting scholarship to Jackson State University, but he declined the offer to join the Air Force in 1955 instead.
He worked as a radar technician until his discharge in 1959.
The Unforgiven actor eventually rose to the rank of Airman 1st Class.
Elvis Presley
Superstar Soldier: Elvis Presley was already a rock ‘n’ roll icon and a major movie star when he was drafted into the army in 1958. He was shipped to West Germany, where he served as a tank espionage specialist until 1960 and met his future wife, Priscilla, when she was just 14 years old
Elvis Presley was already a rock ‘n’ roll icon and a major movie star when he was drafted into the army in 1958.
He was shipped to West Germany, where he worked for a time as an arms intelligence specialist.
Shortly before his honorable discharge in 1960, he was promoted to sergeant.
While touring in West Germany, Elvis met his future wife Priscilla Presley (née Beaulieu), who was just 14 at the time, when he was 24.
Sofia Coppola later dramatized their budding relationship in Germany and its dark undertones in her 2023 film Priscilla.
Betty White
Detour: Betty White joined other current and former female stars by joining the American Women’s Voluntary Services (AWVS) in 1941, shortly after the United States entered World War II. Career in its infancy: At the time, she had had few theater roles and had worked on an experimental television program when the medium was still in its infancy
Betty White joined the American Women’s Voluntary Services (AWVS) in 1941, shortly after the United States entered World War II, joining other current and former female stars.
At that point she had had few theater roles and had worked on an experimental television show when the medium was still in its infancy.
During her time with the AWVS, White drove military supply trucks into the Hollywood Hills.
While volunteering, she met her first husband, Dick Barker, but the two married and divorced within a year.
Following her death in 2021 at the age of 99, the U.S. Army released a statement honoring her service with the AWVS.
Drew Carey
Surprising military stint: Before becoming a successful comedian, Drew Carey served his country. Finding His Place: After a difficult stint at Kent State University, Carey left school after just three years and enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves
He is best known for his successful stand-up career, but also for his starring role on The Drew Carey Show, which made him a star, and his ongoing stint as host of The Price Is Right.
But before he was a star, Drew Carey served his country.
After a difficult stint at Kent State University, Carey left school after just three years and enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves.
For six years he worked as a field radio operator in the 25th Marine Regiment, stationed in Ohio.
Carey had reached the rank of sergeant at the time of his discharge, and although he tends to wear his hair a bit shaggy these days, at the height of his fame he kept his Marine Corps enlisted men’s hair short.
Bob Barker
Tradition: Drew Carey’s predecessor, who hosted “The Price Is Right,” Bob Barker, was also a trooper. In plain English, Barker served as a fighter pilot after joining the Navy Reserve in 1943. Despite the ongoing Second World War, Barker never saw combat
Drew Carey’s predecessor, who hosted “The Price Is Right,” Bob Barker, was also military.
Barker served as a fighter pilot after joining the Navy Reserve in 1943. Despite the ongoing Second World War, Barker never saw combat.
The legendary game show host later met his longtime wife, Dorothy Jo, while on vacation in 1945. They married later that same year and remained so until her death in 1981.
Barker died on August 26, 2023 at the age of 99.
Ice T
Enlightened: After a difficult youth and run-ins with the law, Ice-T joined the army in 1977. He had more disciplinary problems but received an honorable discharge in 1979 because he was a single father
Ice-T (real name: Tracy Marrow) began his military service in the 1970s after starting out as a juvenile delinquent.
After high school, when he was in the Crips gang – although he was never an official member – he began selling marijuana and upgrading car stereos to make some money.
After the birth of his first daughter, Letesha Marrow, Ice-T enlisted in the army in 1977 to support his family.
During his time in office he frequently came into conflict with the law. He was among a group of soldiers accused of stealing a carpet, and while awaiting trial, he disappeared for a month after receiving a bonus check, returning only after the carpet was returned.
Despite his run-ins with the military justice system, Ice-T was able to receive an honorable discharge in 1979 due to his status as a single father.
While stationed in Hawaii, he began practicing his skills as a rapper and learned how to DJ with turntables.
Tom Selleck
Pre-Fame Service: Tom Selleck had already appeared on game shows and started in small commercials when he received a draft notice in 1967 at the height of the Vietnam War. Stay in the USA: He enlisted in the California Army National Guard and stayed until his discharge in 1973
Tom Selleck was already appearing on game shows and starting out in small commercials when he received a draft notice in 1967, at the height of the Vietnam War.
He enlisted in the California Army National Guard and remained there until his discharge in 1973.
During this time he served as part of the 160th Infantry Regiment.
The actor later played a former Navy SEAL when he starred in the hugely popular private detective series Magnum, PI
James Earl Jones
Serving everywhere: James Earl Jones enlisted in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps before graduating from college and training as an officer at Fort Moore in Georgia. He then led a cold weather training session in Colorado and was discharged as a first lieutenant
Decades before he became known as the voice of Darth Vader, James Early Jones enrolled in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps while attending the University of Michigan.
He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1953 and traveled to Fort Moore, Georgia, for the Infantry Officer Basic Course after the end of the Korean War.
He was then sent to Colorado, where he led a cold-weather training session in the Rocky Mountains.
After her discharge as a first lieutenant, Jones abandoned her initial interest in becoming a doctor and instead pursued acting with several theater roles.
Jones later played a lieutenant aboard a B-52 bomber in Stanley Kubrick’s classic satire Doctor Strangelove.
Tony Bennett
Terrible Experience: Tony Bennett later became a pacifist through his service. He was drafted into the army at the end of 1944. Deadly: He fought on the front lines in France and Germany before liberating a camp in Dachau
Legendary singer Tony Bennett was drafted into the army in November 1944 as World War II came to an end.
During his time in the Army, he served overseas in France before his unit advanced to Germany.
Bennett served as a replacement in the 255th Infantry Regiment, 63rd Infantry Division after suffering devastating losses in the Battle of the Bulge.
During a brutal winter siege, he was forced to fight on the front lines and advance into Germany. He later described his encounter with death as a “nightmare.”
Bennett experienced even more horror when he helped liberate one of the subcamps in Dachau.
After the Nazi surrender, Bennett worked as a singer and entertainer in the army, but was demoted due to the army’s segregation policy at the time because he dined with a black friend from his homeland.
He was discharged in 1946 and awarded the Bronze Star in 1969.
Sidney Poitier
Protest: Sidney Poiter was only 16 when he claimed he was his age to join the army in World War II. But after being assigned to care for the mentally ill at a hospital in New York, he feigned illness in order to be discharged after becoming outraged at how poorly the patients were treated by the hospital and the army
Before he became one of the greatest actors of his generation, Sidney Poitier was determined to serve his country in World War II.
The Heat Of The Night star – who died in 2022 aged 94 – was just 16 when he joined the army by lying about his age.
But after he was admitted to a Veterans Administration hospital in Northport, New York, he lost his illusions about the military.
There he was assigned to work with psychiatric patients, but Poitier was outraged by the inhumane and substandard care the patients received.
He decided to get out of the army and protest the hospital’s behavior by pretending to suffer from mental illness himself, and a sympathetic doctor, aware of the ruse, granted him a discharge anyway.