5 Celebrities You Didn’t Know Served In The Army
Elvis Presley (1935-1977), American rock 'n' roll legend.
Before the era of internet fame, celebrities often had steady journeys to stardom, with some even serving in the military.
Explore the military tenures of some of Hollywood's greatest veterans in this enlightening journey through their careers.
Ice-T
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 08: Ice-T speaks to fans during New York Comic Con 2022 on October 08, 2022 in New York City.
Ice-T, born Tracy Lauren Marrow, reportedly joined the military straight out of high school.
Following his military tenure of four years, he ventured into music before transiitioning into full-time acting, including his role as Odafin "Fin" Tutuola on NBC's 'Law & Order: SVU,' 'Up in Harlem' (2003) and 'Trespass' (1992,) amongst others.
Morgan Freeman
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 06: Morgan Freeman speaks onstage during the 47th AFI Life Achievement Award honoring Denzel Washington at Dolby Theatre on June 06, 2019 in Hollywood, California.
In 1955, Morgan Freeman reportedly had no intentions of pursuing an acting career. Instead, he enlisted in the Armed Forces, even rejecting a scholarship for the military.
After four years of service, Freeman achieved the rank of Airman 1st Class before deciding to transition to acting. In 1964, the Memphis native made his debut on the movie screen, marking the beginning of a transformative journey in the world of acting.
Elvis Presley
CULVER CITY, CA - SEPTEMBER 1962: Rock and roll musician Elvis Presley strums an acoustic guitar while posing for a portrait in September 1962 in Culver City, California at MGM Studios.
Drafted in 1958, Elvis Presley served for two years in the military. Despite being offered a position in the Special Services to entertain troops, Elvis chose to be a standard soldier.
During his service in West Germany, he met Priscilla Beaulieu, who would later become his wife. They welcomed their only child together, Lisa Marie Presley, who was born in 1968.
Owen Wilson
CANNES, FRANCE - JULY 12: Owen Wilson attends the "The French Dispatch" screening during the 74th annual Cannes Film Festival on July 12, 2021 in Cannes, France.
Owen Wilson attended the New Mexico Military Institute to complete his education. Despite this military background, Owen chose not to pursue a military career after college, but instead opted for the now-famous path of acting.
He has been nominated for one Academy Award in 2022 for Best Original Screenplay for 'The Royal Tenebaums,' and has starred in over 20 blockbuster films.
Bea Arthur
Actress Bea Arthur is interviewed as a guest on the BBC television series 'Bruce's Guest Night', April 12th 1992.
Throughout her life, Bea Arthur vehemently denied claims that she had served in the military.
However, on her deathbed, she revealed that she served in the Marine Corps for 30 months. She was among the first members of the Women's Reserve and had a diverse range of roles during her service, from being a typist to a truck driver.
