Willie Nelson — Air Force (nine months)

Willie Nelson is a huge name when it comes to country music. He has gifted the world with some of the most memorable songs throughout the course of his long career. Leaving his fans completely mesmerized by his albums like Stardust, Red Headed Stranger, and Shotgun Willie build himself a strong financial fort.  

His long hair and the bearded look are in stark contrast to the fact that Willie had once been in the Army. He joined the United States Air Force at a tender age of 17. However, his back injury forced him to opt-out. It was a rather unfortunate incident that probably compelled him to change his career path. But then, this second career not just made his fan base strong, but also his bank balance, so we can call it a win-win situation for Willie as well as his fans.

Leonard Nimoy - Army Reserves (1953 - 55)

Who doesn't love Spock from the iconic Star Trek series? Leonard Nimoy proved his mettle as an actor when he starred in the titular role in the 1952 film, Kid Monk Baroni. But his role in the Star Trek series and the fame that got him was unmatched. Nimoy’s work in Wagon Train and Zombies of the Stratosphere also garnered a fair bit of appreciation from the viewers. Banking on his popular role, Leonard also went on to pen two parts of his autobiography titled, I Am Not Spock and I Am Spock were huge hits.

Even though Leonard always had a great passion for acting, he decided to postpone everything and joined the United States Army Reserves in 1955. Unfortunately, not much could be known about his past as his military records got ravaged by fire in a disastrous incident. He has left a huge void behind after he breathed his last in 2015, leaving a huge void in the hearts of all the Star Trek fans out there.

Charles Bronson - Aerial Gunner In The Air Force (1943 - 1946)

Many of you wouldn’t know that Charles Bronson was once associated with the United States Air Force for a brief period from 1943 to 1946. He carried out his responsibilities as a combat pilot during the times of World War II. Joining the forces in the year 1943 he continued to serve in the armed forces until the end of the war in 1946. His service in the army was recognized and he was honored with a purple heart for his outstanding services.

After he quit the military, he took a number of odd jobs to maintain his livelihood, before discovering his passion for acting. Five years after bidding farewell to his career in the armed forces, Charles made it big in the cinematic universe. Starting from the year 1951, Charles was part of numerous memorable films such as The Magnificent Seven, Once Upon a Time in the West, and the Death Wish to name a few. He is no more with us, but his memories still continue to live with us. Our only hope is that this shining star had secured his finances for his family and has insurance policies that would support them even after he bid good bye to this world.

Steve McQueen — Private First Class in the Marine Corps (1947 - 50)

After trying his hand at a host of odd jobs, Steve McQueen made up his mind to join the Marine Corps in the year 1947. After a short period of time, he earned a promotion to be Private First Class, but his rebellious nature got the better of him and he was soon discharged for his irresponsible behavior. Eventually, he was demoted to the position of a Private a shocking seven times.

Steve spent three years with the military. Nicknamed The King of Cool, he went on to pursue a career in acting, and gifted us films like The Thomas Crown Affair, The Cincinnati Kid, The Great Escape, and The Magnificent Seven. He married three times during his lifetime and had to appoint a divorce attorney in two of them. He left us on November 7, 1980.

Henry Fonda - Lieutenant Junior Grade in the Navy (1942-1946)

Henry Fonda, one of the legends who was loved by people from all walks of life, enjoyed an enterprising career that ran through five decades. His appealing personality and fabulous on-screen presence helped him charm his way into our hearts and consequently secure his financial future with ample savings. Starting his career as a Broadway actor, he began his Hollywood journey in 1935. We adored him in films like Once Upon a Time in the West, Battle of the Bulge, Yours, Mine and Ours, and On Golden Pond.

Fonda had a successful stint with the military, serving in the USS Starlee as a Quartermaster before being promoted as Lieutenant Junior Grade. Henry has also been honored with a Navy Presidential Unit Citation as well as a Bronze Star medal in recognition of his services to the United States Navy. He passed away in the year 1982 while battling prostate cancer.

Johnny Cash - Radio Operator in the Air Force (1950 - 54)

Johnny Cash has been the most loved and best-selling artist even to this day, despite the fact that he left the earth for the heavenly abode in 2003. Having sold over 90 million records across the world Johnny is among a handful of mean to have achieved that feat. His list of iconic numbers includes Ring of Fire, A Boy Named Sue, Man in Black, and One Piece at a Time.

Prior to embarking on his multi-faceted career in the entertainment space as an actor, musician, and author, Johnny spent some considerable time with the United States Air Force. He took up the job of a radio announcer and a salesman during the 40s and was saving up in his earnings in the bank just before the Korean War got underway. He joined the Air Force and dedicated four years of his life, intercepting as well as deciphering Morse code from Russia. Subsequently, Johnny was honored for his services.

Sam Elliott - 163rd Airlift Wing With The National Guard (Period Uncertain)

Sam Elliott has always been a prominent figure in the entertainment industry, with a bulging bank account to his name. The lovable resonant voice and the thick mustache endeared him to our hearts and every Hollywood fanatic would vouch for that. His assemblage of films includes A Star Is Born, The Hero, Murder in Texas, and Ghost Rider, among others. Besides films, Sam had spent a good part of his life in the United States Army.

While in the pursuit of a career in acting, Sam tried his hand at a few minor jobs in order to sustain himself. It was then, that he decided to join the California Army National Guard and was appointed as the 163rd Airlift Wing.

Kirk Douglas - Lieutenant in the Navy (1941 - 44)

The veteran Hollywood actor belongs to the Golden Era of Hollywood and happens to be probably one of the few surviving stars from that era. He is 102 years of age now and has been leading a fit and healthy life. His notable works are The Bad and the Beautiful, Ace in the Hole, Detective Story, and Young Man with a Horn. Kirk is also known to be the father of the iconic Hollywood star, Michael Douglas.

It was in the year 1941 that Douglas was inducted into the Navy, just after World War II got underway. He took up the responsibilities of a Navy Lieutenant and served as the communications officer, dealing with anti-submarine warfare. As fate would have it, Kirk was forced to discontinue his service after suffering from chronic amoebic dysentery.

Drew Carey - Sergeant in the Marines (1980 - 86)

Drew Carey has made a name for himself in the world of stand-up comedy with the show named after him -The Drew Carey Show. Catapulting to fame overnight Carey is also a popular game show host, presenting The Price Is Right on CBS since 2007.  His strong and successful career got the bank accounts ringing with the wealth he had earned. This for sure kept him safe from the worries of bankruptcy, that bothers most of his peers. We hope things will remain the same forever for this Whose Line Is It Anyway? star.

Drew was associated with U.S. Marine Corps before he kick-started his career as a comedian. He changed his look completely during his service years. Carey served the Marine Corps Reserves between 1980 and 1986 and in the due course of time, took a permanent leave from the battlefield. Good that he entered the show business and we found a wonderful talent.

Gene Hackman - Radio Operator in the Marines (1947 - 51)

The famed novelist-turned-actor has bagged many an award throughout his career that has lasted six long decades. Hackman shot to fame playing the titular role in the 1967 film Buck Barrow, Bonnie and Clyde. He was part of many memorable films that are a cinema fanatic's favorite even today,  including films like Crimson Tide, Behind Enemy Lines, Enemy of the State, and Unforgiven to name a few.

Gene dropped out of his school to enroll for the Marines when he was just 16 years old without revealing his actual age to the authorities. At his base in China, Hackman took up the duties of a radio operator and involved himself in a variety of creative activities after he finished his daily work. He parted ways with the Army in 1951 and explored a career in the entertainment industry and worked his way up to fame when he was around 30 years old.

Morgan Freeman — Airman First Class in the Air Force (1955 - 59)

Morgan Freeman, an actor of great repute, has entertained the world for over four decades now and there is none in the industry who would deny that his charm is unmatched. His performances in films like Bruce Almighty, Deep Impact, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, and The Dark Knight Trilogy would inspire any young ‘un who wants to take up a career in acting. Freeman has been one of the top ten highest-grossing box office stars over the year and is popular for his deep baritone.

The 81-year-old has always been passionate about flying and didn’t miss the opportunity when he was chosen to join the United States Air Force in the year 1955. However, he bid farewell to the Air Force in the year 1959, to pursue a career in some new field. Later on, he joined the show business and earned a huge fortune that filled his bank account with a great amount of wealth.

Tom Selleck - Sergeant in the Army (1967 - 73)

Selleck has been a much-loved performer ever since he set foot in Hollywood, in the year 1965. Renowned for his portrayal of Thomas Magnum, the private investigator from Magnum, P.I. Tom brought to life numerous characters onscreen. Tom not just had a successful public life, but also an equally successful private life. His marriage to Jillie Joan Mack in 1987 has been going strong for over three decades now.

Besides being an actor and a producer, Tom has also served in the California Army Guard. He joined the 160^th Infantry Regiment in the 70s and even served during the Vietnam War for a brief period of time. He was already an established star but chose to take a hiatus from acting in order to accompany his team and serve the nation. Really praiseworthy!

Chuck Norris - Airman First Class in the Air Force (1958 - 62)

The actor, producer, and screenwriter is a trained martial-art aficionado too. It is not common knowledge that The Delta Force star has a black belt in Judo, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and Tang Soo Do. Norris, being a great friend of the legendary Bruce Lee, starred as the antagonist in Way of the Dragon. His other film roles include A Force of One, Good Guys Wear Black, The Expendables 2, and so on, all of which were a huge hit at the box office, earning the produces a lot of wealth.

Desiring to pursue a career in law enforcement, Chuck made up his mind to join the United States Air Force after he completed high school. During his deployment in South Korea, he became passionate about martial arts. He was granted permanent leave from his services by the Air Force in 1962, after which he explored his new career options.

Clint Eastwood — Lifeguard in the Army (Period Uncertain)

Clint Eastwood has always been a ladies’ man, besides being a legendary director and an actor. We all loved his work in movies like the Million Dollar Baby, Every Which Way But Loose, Where Eagles Dare, In The Line of Fire, and many more. His flawless acting won him the Oscars, the Golden Globe Awards, and the People’s Choice Awards several times. He was also honored with an induction into the California Hall of Fame.

In addition to a fantastic Hollywood career, Eastwood was also a swimming instructor and a Fort Ord lifeguard. Clint was in the Douglas AD-1, a military aircraft when it crashed into the Pacific Ocean back in 1951. Fortunately, he survived by swimming the distance of two miles to reach Port Reyes.

George Carlin - Radar Technician in the Air Force (1954 - 57)

Before finding fame, George Carlin was working for the United States Air Force. However, it was not a very eventful or successful career like his stint on the big screen. With little to no training on operating things on the battlefield, and being a trained radar technician and thus, was considered unproductive, which ultimately led to his discharge.

His popularity among the masses for his black comedy, George Carlin earned him fame and a huge fortune filling up his bank account and building him a career as a stand-up comedian, social critic, author, and actor. He was credited for presenting the first episode of the variety show, Saturday Night Live when it premiered in 1975. Carlin had also been a guest host of The Tonight Show. George left for his heavenly abode in 2008, leaving all of us in a state of deep shock. We miss him a lot.

MC Hammer — Petty Officer Third Class in the Army (Period Uncertain)

Stanley Kirk Burrell, renowned by his stage name MC Hammer, is an established rapper and dancer. His dance movements and records like 2 Legit 2 Quit and U Can’t Touch This made him an overnight success. His fame, as well as commercial success, reached the for the skies in the latter half of the 80s decade until the early 1990s. He is an entrepreneur too and manages his recording business quite efficiently.

Before launching his music career, Burrell served as a minor officer in the U.S. Navy. Quite strangely, he refused to don a shirt and change his loose pants, which is, in fact, against the rules of the Army. An honorable discharge followed and Stanley was out of there.

Rob Riggle - Lieutenant Colonel in the Marines (1990 - 2013)

The Daily Show correspondent has been a vital cast member of the popular late-night variety program, Saturday Night Live. Rob is known to portray comical roles that left his audience in splits including films like Step Brothers, The Hangover, Dumb & Dumber 2, and 22 Jump Street. Riggle has also been involved with the popular TV show, Fox NFL Sunday.

A lesser-known fact about Rob's career is that he spent 20 years of his life with the Marines and that’s indeed something that makes his curriculum vitae a bit more attractive. Rob preferred to stick to the Army in spite of attaining success in the show business, unlike several celebrities, and only took a permanent leave in the year 2013.

James Blunt — Cavalry Regiment in the British Army (Period Uncertain)

Everyone who has ever heard the songs Goodbye My Lover and You’re Beautiful is sure to be a die-hard fan of singer and songwriter James Blunt. He held the position on the UK Albums Chart as the Topseller by selling more than 11 million copies across the globe. Back to Bedlam still remains one of the well-acclaimed and highly successful albums he has released to date.

It is not common knowledge that Blunt is a former officer with the British Army where he served for a substantial period. As far as we know, he was probably the first NATO soldier to make a trip to Kosovo with the purpose of peacekeeping. He has plenty of memories related to the days he spent with the Army and is still in love with those times, going by his mention of those anecdotes in numerous interviews.

Mel Brooks — Corporal in the Army (1944 - 46)

The comedian, actor, composer, and screenwriter is a man of many talents and has ably showcased all of them over a career spanning over seven decades. He won numerous laurels including an Oscar, a Grammy, an Emmy, and a Tony Award, and earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the year 2010, in addition to elevating his savings in his bank accounts. Brooks has also penned down the popular World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War in 2016.

Did you know that, at the age of 17, Mel was chosen to join the United States Army and attended the Virginia Military Institute to complete the Army Specialized Training Program? He later went on to occupy the position of a corporal in the Army at the time of World War II. He was given the duty of deactivating land mines.

Sean Connery - Seaman in the British Royal Navy (1947 - 50)

Sean Connery is a film star much loved for his impressive acting talent, especially for his portrayal of James Bond, but there is a lot more to Sean than just acting! Sean Connery was a boy of just fifteen when he decided to join the Navy. Following his enlistment, Sean did his bit in the war, for the last six months of it. However, he continued serving his native country for three more years after the end of the war.

Reasons beyond his control forced Sean to leave the Navy. Sean suffered from a stomach ulcer required medical attention, and he was forced to leave the Navy. The severity of his health condition took him away from the forces but brought him close to the people. Thus began his iconic acting career and a new lifestyle!

Montel Williams - Corporal in the Marines (1974 - 76), Midshipman in the Navy (1976 - 88)

It wasn't long after he graduated from high school that Montell Williams concluded that he would serve for the U.S Marine Corps. As it turned out, he possessed impressive skills, which qualified him for U.S Navy training instead. It was only a matter of time before Williams was discharged from his duties as a corporal and was enlisted as a midshipman for the Navy.

A few years passed by and through his time counseling is fellow mean. Williams later discovered his talent for public speaking and a presence that he hadn’t known about before. He worked on this talent by serving as an informal family counselor for the family members of the men in service before leaving the Navy in 1988. Montel then pursued a career in public speaking, too much success, building his wealth.

Oliver Stone - U.S. Army (1967-68)

Yes, you may know Oliver Stone after his successful and impressive career as a screenplay writer, having achieved the prestigious Academy Award for the masterpiece that is Midnight Express. There’s no doubt that Oliver Stone happens to be a prominent star in Tinsel Town. Of course, he has his first-hand experience of the sea in his days with the Army to thank for the valiance with which he managed to depict war in films like Born on the Fourth of July and Platoon.

Oliver Stone’s service for the U.S Army was more than a year-long and he managed to obtain a purple heart in recognition of his dedication to the U.S and his service. Today he has enough wealth to do whatever his heart desires!

Mr. T - Squad Leader in the Military Police Corps (1975 - 77)

It was only a couple of years before he made history in the ring facing the legendary ‘Rocky Balboa’ that Mr. T was serving the U.S. Army. He came to realize during his schooling years that academics weren’t a strong point for him. So he thought he would be of more use in the Army. Laurence Tureaud’s service kicked off with the Military Police Corps, and he managed to top his training thanks to his fitness level.

It wasn’t long before Mr. T saw himself promoted to squad leader, and in 1977 he attempted to join NFL’s Green Bay following the discharge of his service in the Army. Unfortunately, a knee injury led him to be turned down, but there were other ways he found to make his wealth and shine!

Gal Gadot - Combat Trainer in the Israeli Defense Forces (2005 - 06)

Gal Gadot is known for taking on badass roles and pulling them off impressively well. But we’re here to tell you that it isn’t just by chance that she’s carried off her roles in Wonder Woman and The Fast and The Furious so well! Gal is a fierce woman, having served in the Israeli Defence Forces!

Gal served for two years as a combat trainer, where she excelled. She even had the opportunity to teach her fellow soldiers lessons on gymnastics and calisthenics! What a powerful woman, indeed! It was after her time in the Defence Force that she started a family and entered the world of entertainment. This helps her grow her wealth and her name in the industry!

Pat Sajak -  Armed Forces Radio DJ (1968 - 70)

Having been an exceptionally well-celebrated celebrity through his career in hosting several shows, Pat Sajak has gained much prominence in the entertainment industry. It is particularly for his position as host of Wheel of Fortune that Pat is recognized, but he has a range of film credits under his belt. Before his wealth and fame as a TV personality, Pat was in the US Army.

Pat was 22 years old when he joined the Army and served the country during the Vietnam war. But he did have an offbeat role, as he was the disc jockey who entertained people. He helped everyone find relief from the terror of the war through the Armed Forces Radio. It was in 1968 that Pat served as the DJ.

Robert Duvall - U.S. Army (1953-54)

Robert Duvall served the U.S Army between the years 1953 and 1954. It was following the Korean War and Robert managed to climb his way up to being appointed Private first class. His service took place in Camp Gordon and during this time he assumed a role in a comedy production titled Room Service.

In 1955, Duvall began studying theatre alongside veteran actors by the names Gene Hackman and Dustin Hoffman. Robert had the honor of being the oldest actor to have even been nominated for an Oscar, in 2015! The nomination was for a stellar performance in The Judge. Retirement doesn’t seem to be on the horizon for Duvall, though his bank account would serve him just fine if he did!

Harvey Keitel - U.S. Marine Corps (1956-59)

It was a long time before he found fame and wealth that Harvey Keitel served the US Marine Corps. He was just sixteen years old when he was enlisted and he was assigned to Lebanon where he served during Operation Blue Bat. According to Harvey his stint in the Marines was his efforts to lead a spiritual journey in life, and not about war. He was fulfilling his desires to protect those who couldn’t protect themselves.

What with his admirable purpose and his impressive talents, Keitel makes for a magnificent man, and we bet he is a wonderful person to get to know. Of course, for those of us who won’t get the chance to know him personally, we have his incredible films to watch!

Owen Wilson

Owen Wilson has scaled back quite a bit when it comes to his entertainment career as of late. Of course, he’s a pretty busy man since he happens to be a father of three beautiful children. A busy actor at once, he has been juggling responsibilities with ease. His numerous films in his younger years and success is a sign of this hard work and juggling responsibilities.

Fans of the delightful actor are often surprised to know that he served in the military! Yes, Wilson is a part of US history in more ways than one! Wilson attended the New Mexico Military Institute at the University of Texas. Today he has plenty of stories to tell his children, thanks to his success as an actor!

Jimmy Stewart - Air Force (1941 - 68)

Throughout Jimmy Stewart’s childhood, he had dreams of becoming a pilot – not just any pilot, either. Jimmy wanted to pilot the aircraft of the US Navy. Unfortunately, his father wasn’t approving of his dreams and that is what led Jimmy to a career in entertainment. With the onset of the Great Depression, stage work became difficult to come by.

And so it happened that in 1941, Jimmy Stewart enlisted with the US Army. Jimmy had to gain some weight on his frame before he was enlisted and so it took him a year to do so. Otherwise, he would have enlisted in 1940. He then took up flying combat missions, much to his heart’s content! Thereafter, he was appointed as an operations officer until the end of the war. By this time he promptly resumed his career in entertainment and built up his bank account balance.

Hugh Hefner - U.S. Army (1944 - 46)

The iconic and legendary High Hefner is a man who will never be forgotten, though he has passed on. His legacy lives on through one of the most popular men's lifestyle magazines, but long before his becoming an icon for satisfying the urges of men and women across the globe, he served in the Army!

Hefner was an infantry clerk, and it was in 1944 that he joined the force. He obtained recognition for his skills with a firearm, receiving an award for it. Of course, military lifestyle just wasn’t for him, as anybody who knows about Hefner would imagine. He ended up leaving in 1946. It was only a few years after his discharge that he set on the launch of his magazine, with just $8K in his hands!

Paul Newman - Navy (1943 - 46)

The late Paul Newman was an award-winning talent on the screen, but it wasn’t his first passion to be an actor. Newman’s heart burned to be a pilot, and he went ahead and tried his hand at it during World War II. He made it join the V12 program bt as it turned out, he was colorblind.

Owing to his colorblindness, he could only assume limited duties, and so he became a radioman an a gunner for the Navy. His service continued until 1945, and upon his leaving the military, he obtained military honors, as well as an American Area Campaign Medal, a Good Conduct Medal, and a World War II Victory Medal! He sure outdid himself, alright, and he surely has a wealth of memories to share, too!

Mickey Rooney - Special Services  (1944 - 46)

Most celebrities who have been in the military set off to establish their successful careers and lavish lifestyle only after their service in the force, but not Mickey Rooney. Rooney’s career in the entertainment industry began before he served the U.S Army. It was in 1944 that Rooney’s 21-month service kicked off, and he was appointed to special services.

Rooney was an entertainer for his fellow men, and he worked hard to bring some light to their lives and lift off some of the gloom of the harrowing war. Following his service in the Army, Rooney received several awards, including a World War II Victory Medal, a Bronze Star and even an Army Good Conduct Medal.

Johnny Carson -  Navy (1943 - 46)

Before Johnny Carson’s thirty year-long services to the entertainment industry, he pulled his service for the Navy. Following enlistment with the Navy, Carson took up working as an apprentice shipman until he was promoted to midshipman. He enjoyed excellent health and was incredibly fit, to the point that he scored 10-0 in an amateur boxing match!

After some time had passed, Carson took on duties as a communications officer, where he was responsible for deciphering encrypted communications. After his service in the Navy, he attended college and earned a degree in Radio and Speech. Of course, it wasn’t long before his long career in television kicked off and he was raking in the big bucks in his bank account!

Elvis Presley - U.S. Army (1958 - 60)

An especially rare story is that of an iconic star having to enlist with the Army at the very peak of his fame! There’s not a soul who knows of the fact that the ing of Rock ‘n Roll had to enlist with the Army who would ever be able to forget it! Elvis found himself off the stage and in a different lifestyle - armed with a rifle, a helmet on his head and no mic in his hands.

Presley was transferred to Germany, and while he didn’t serve for a long time, he found that his service did have a positive effect on him. He was offered a job as a recruiting model for the Air Force, but he declined and served as a sergeant, being discharged in 1960.

Rock Hudson - Navy (1943-46)

Rock Hudson was fresh out of high school hen he enrolled with the Navy. It was 1943, right after graduation and during World War II. Hudson became an aircraft mechanic after some training, and in 1946 he was discharged from his duties and left the Navy.

In pursuit of his career in the acting industry, he had to take up several oddball jobs to survive on. He ended up co-starring alongside Doris Day in Pillow Talk and his path to becoming one of Hollywood’s leading men began. Unfortunately, he couldn’t enjoy the wealth he had accumulated from his fame because he had an untimely death at the age of 59, back in 1985.

Ernest Hemingway - American Red Cross

Ernest Hemingway happens to be one of the most talented and immensely influential persons of the 20^th century. He is the recipient of a highly prestigious award, not easily attainable and of great achievement – the Nobel Prize!

Hemingway was a lad of eighteen when he enlisted with the American Red Cross, and it was amid World War I. He volunteered as an ambulance driver in Italy. In addition to offering his services, he also delivered cigarettes, sweets, and other items to soldiers. However, he had the misfortune of sustaining serious injuries, marking the end of his two-month service (we hope he had health insurance). Consequently, he lay in a hospital be for six months in recovery. As a result, he faced depression and tragically committed suicide in 1961.

Bea Arthur - Marine Reservist (1943-45)

If it wasn’t in All My Family that you fell for the masterpiece of an actress that was Bea Arthur, it was then in Golden Girls! Arthur simply had a way of portraying her characters that brought so much life, energy, and personality to the characters. However, while she was a big name in the 80s, building her wealth and reputation, she had already made history before then!

Bea Arthur is surprisingly one of the first women to serve the Marine Reservist, and yet she plays down this fact. She has even denied this in a few instances. She was 21 when she signed up in 1943, served for over 30 months, working as a truck driver and a typist. Ben was discharged honorably in 1945 and granted the title of staff sergeant.

James Garner - Army (7 Months)

Born as James Scott Bumgarner, James Garner is a well-known American actor, producer, and voice artist. He also starred in several television series and even big movies including his role as Bret Maverick in Maverick in the 1950s and as Jim Rockford in the 1970s movie, The Rockford Files. He also starred in the beloved romance classic, The Notebook, in 2004. James Garner’s acting career only comes second after he served the military. He disliked most of his jobs but not the army. He joined the United States Merchant Marine when he was just 16 years old. This was near the end of World War 2 but he wasn’t able to stay long due to his chronic seasickness.

He continued to serve the forces for another 7 months in California as he was enlisted in the California Army National Guard. During the Korean war, he served as a rifleman in the 5th Regimental Combat Team as a team of 24th Infantry Division. He earned his first Purple Heart after he was wounded in the face and hand by shrapnel. His second wound in the buttock qualified him as a Purple Heart receiver as well when he was wounded in a friendly fire while actively engaging with the enemy. His wound made him stop and choose another path — that is, acting — in 1954. Strong work ethics and great talent made him a respected actor which certainly has a fat bank account. As of now, his investments have increased his net worth to $20 million which will surely give him a luxurious retirement.

Yogi Berra - Navy (3 Years)

Well-known baseball player Yogi Berra was a famous catcher. His short stature was not a hindrance to showcase his great talent on the field. He took the role of a manager and a coach in his lifetime. He was famous for his long list of classic quips — an example is “90% of the game is half mental” and also the famous Yogi-isms quote, “It ain’t over till it’s over”. Yogi’s baseball career earned him a lot of wealth, but only a few know of this man's stint in the forces before his baseball career.

At 18 years old, Berra joined the United States Navy as a gunner’s mate on the attack of the transport USS Bayfield. A Second Class Seaman, he served on D-Day and worked on a rocket launching boat as one of the six men crew firing machine guns at the German defenses in Omaha. He went on to serve in a second assault on France for which he received a medal from the French Government. Sixty years later, he received a Lone Sailor Award from the U.S. Navy Memorial. This is an award given in honor to sailors who used skills learned in the service to serve to advance their careers. He passed away leaving behind a lot of fond baseball memories and his commendable patriotism.

Charlton Heston - Air Force (2 Years)

Charlton stared over 100 films over the last 60 years and played Moses in the epic film The Ten Commandments which earned him a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Drama in 1956. Charlton is not only a famous Hollywood actor but has also been the five-term president of the National Rifle Association from 1998 to 2003.

His presidency was a result of his services in World War 2. Heston joined the United States Air Forces in 1944. He served two years as an aerial gunner on aboard a B-25 Mitchell and as a radio operator for two years. Charlton was stationed in the Alaskan Aleutian Islands with 77th Bombardment Squadron of the Eleventh Air Force with the rank of Stagg Sergeant. Though he had been politically active, most of his wealth came from his earnings as a Hollywood star.

Tony Curtis - Navy (4 Years)

Bernard Schwartz, or mostly known as Tony Curtis, was an American actor whose film roles mainly took advantage of his good looks and had a long career that spanned six decades. He gained popularity from the 1950s to 1960s and acted in more than 100 roles in a wide range of genres — from laugh-out-loud comedies to thought-provoking drama.

But before he became popular, Tony served the United States Navy for 4 years. He was enlisted in the navy after the attack of Pearl Harbor. Tony also joined the Pacific Submarine Force where he served aboard a submarine tender of the USS Proteus that lasted until the end of World War 2. He was discharged from the Navy, attended City College of New York, and studied acting. His Hollywood life started in 1948 at the age of 23 under Universal. Even after his death, his wealth is estimated at $60 million.

Sammy Davis Jr. - Army (6 Years)

Known for his soulful songs, Sammy Davis Jr. was an American singer, musician, dancer, actor, vaudevillian, comedian, and activist known for his impressions of actors, musicians, and other celebrities. Having started his career at the age of 3, he had been part of a singing trio with his father, Sammy Davis Sr., and Will Martin which he joined touring after he served the army. Davis was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1943. He was 16 at that time. During his service, he was frequently abused by white soldiers from the South and later recounted that he was knocked down and dragged down every two days.

Davis' nose was broken numerous times and permanently flattened but he never considered plastic surgery. At one point, he was offered a beer laced with urine. But he made use of his talent when he was reassigned to the Army's Special Services branch which put on performances for troops. Davis, who earned the American Campaign Medal and World War II Victory Medal, was discharged in 1945 with the rank of private. But due to his talent and his experience in the war, it inspired him to eventually become a wealthy man who can afford a lavish lifestyle.

Zulay Henao - Army (3 Years)

Known for her role in the series Army Wives, Zulay Henao is more than just a pretty face. Henao is a Colombian-American actress who stars in both film and television. She works alongside big names like Channing Tatum and Oprah Winfrey. Her youthful glow and slender yet curvaceous figure at forty might make some think she got plastic surgery.

But she credits her army training for her fit body. After completing high school, Henao was enlisted in the United States Army and serve for three years. Recently, she is making a buzz on the internet when she spoke to the paparazzi about her army service. She said, “I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing, and I wouldn't have the perspective I have of the world if it weren't for the Army.”

Alan Alda — Gunnery Officer in the Army (six months)

The six-time Golden Globe Award winner is one of the most popular directors in the film industry. He has displayed his brilliance with films such as The Four Seasons, Same Time, Next Year, and Crimes and Misdemeanors. He has been n actor as well, starring in television shows like 30 Rock, The West Wing, and M*A*S*H.

Alan joined the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps and gradually made his way to the Army Reserve, where he was deployed for almost six months or so.  The times he spent and the experience Alda had during his time with the United States Army have been quite memorable for the man. His stint there made him more disciplined and focused, and we think that’s the reason why he sought out a life insurance policy for himself much before time.