Famous Actors Who Served in the US Military

Special Report

March 17, 2023 3:00 pm

Source: Courtesy of Universal Pictures

Kirk Douglas
> Enlisted in: 1943 (Navy)
> Military experience: Gunnery and communications officer in anti-submarine warfare in the Pacific
> Best known for: “Spartacus, “The Vikings,” “Lust for Life”

Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros./Seven Arts

Paul Newman
> Enlisted in: 1943 (Navy)
> Military experience: Trained as a radioman and rear gunner; flew with torpedo squadrons
> Best known for: “Cool Hand Luke,” “The Hustler,” “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid”

ALSO READ: These Are The Presidents Who Served in the Military

Source: Courtesy of Fine Line Features

Harry Belafonte
> Enlisted in: 1944 (Navy)
> Military experience: Loaded military ships for the Pacific theater in a segregated unit
> Best known for: “Odds Against Tomorrow,” “Kansas City,” “Bobby”

Source: Courtesy of Warner Bros.

Mel Brooks
> Enlisted in: 1944 (Army)
> Military experience: Served as a combat engineer deactivating land mines and booby traps; after WWII toured army bases as an entertainer
> Best known for: “Spaceballs,” “The Producers,” and “Blazing Saddles”

Source: Courtesy of United Artists

Sidney Poitier
> Enlisted in: 1945 (Army)
> Military experience: Lied about his age to enlist; worked with psychiatric patients at a VA hospital
> Best known for: “In the Heat of the Night,” “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner,” “Lilies of the Field”

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