Tom Selleck Perhaps Tom Selleck's keen ability to portray former Navy SEAL Thomas Magnum in Magnum P.I. stemmed from his own time in the military. He served as a soldier in the California Army National Guard from 1967 to 1973.
Before his hit TV show MAGNUM P.I. made him a household name, Tom Selleck served in the National Guard as a sergeant in the U.S. Army infantry. Before his time in the Army, Selleck started as a business major at the University of Southern California, then pursued acting at the encouragement of a drama coach.
In 1957, Elvis Presley was drafted into the U.S. Army amid his rising fame as a singer. He served as a soldier in Frankfurt, Germany and was promoted to Sergeant before his honorable discharge in 1959. Bob Barker is famous for his game show career, specifically for hosting The Price Is Right.
After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Adam Driver and all of his friends declared they would join the military as soon as they could. Driver was the only one who followed through, joining the Marine Corps. It "was one of the things I'm most proud of having done in my life," he said during a 2015 TED Talk.
During the Vietnam War, Selleck was issued draft orders. To take some measure of control over the situation, he joined the California National Guard in the 160th Infantry Regiment. He served from 1967-73. He later appeared on California National Guard recruiting posters.
Former National Guard member, Tom Selleck, shares Guard facts in this 1989 commercial
Did Tom Selleck serve in combat?
No, Tom Selleck did NOT serve in Vietnam, and upon receiving his draft notice in 1967, Selleck joined the California National Guard and served in the 160th Infantry Regiment of the California Army National Guard from 1967 to 1973. He also served six months active duty status in the United States.
In 1951 Eastwood was drafted into the Army during the Korean War. He was a swimming instructor at Fort Ord, California. Clint Eastwood in his Army uniform during the Korean War.
After graduating from high school in 1955, he turned down a drama scholarship from Jackson State University, opting instead to enlist in the Air Force, where he was trained to be an automatic tracking radar repairman. Morgan Freeman in his Air Force uniform sometime in the mid-to-late 1950s.
Eastwood became a swimming instructor at Fort Ord after graduating from basic training in 1950. He spent his evenings and weekends moonlighting as a bouncer at bars and clubs off base. His looks, height and stature made him an imposing figure, enough to scare off the drunks while impressing Hollywood executives.
In 1957, Nicholson joined the California Air National Guard, a move he sometimes characterized as an effort to "dodge the draft"; the Korean War era's Military Selective Service Act was still in force, and draftees were required to perform up to two years of active duty.
Who was the highest ranking actor in military history?
He's had 18 hours as first pilot of a B-52." On July 23, 1959, Stewart was promoted to brigadier general, becoming the highest-ranking actor in American military history. During the Vietnam War, he flew as a non-duty observer in a B-52 on an Arc Light bombing mission in February 1966.
Fonda served for three years, initially as a Quartermaster 3rd Class on the destroyer USS Satterlee. He was later commissioned as a Lieutenant Junior Grade in Air Combat Intelligence in the Central Pacific and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Navy Presidential Unit Citation.
One of Tom Selleck's most celebrated roles came as the Hawaii-based private investigator Thomas Magnum. This Colt 1911 pistol was used by Selleck on-screen as a trusty sidearm. The actual gun is surprisingly not a . 45 but a 9mm that has been adapted to fire blanks.
Although he didn't serve himself, famed actor Denzel Washington has done a lot to show his appreciation for the U.S. Military, mainly through his work with the Fisher House Foundation.
The cold reality is that he studiously avoided military service. He decided that his career was a higher priority. It was a decision that would haunt him the rest of his life and would damage his relationships with some of his friends, most notably his principal mentor, film director John Ford.
Hackman lived briefly in Storm Lake, Iowa, and spent his sophomore year at Storm Lake High School. He left home at age 16 and lied about his age to enlist in the United States Marine Corps. He served four and a half years as a field radio operator. He was stationed in China (Qingdao and later in Shanghai).
Norris was discharged from the U.S. Air Force in August 1962 with the rank of Airman first class. Following his military service, Norris applied to be a police officer in Torrance, California. While on the waiting list, Norris opened a martial arts studio.
In the late 1960s, Elliott relocated to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting. Elliott served in the California Air National Guard's 146th Airlift Wing (the Hollywood Guard) at Van Nuys Airport before the unit moved to Channel Islands Air National Guard Station.
Dennis Franz-Army-served 11 months with 82nd Airborne Division in Vietnam (Actor) R. Lee Ermey spent 11 years in the Marines-Vietnam in 1968 for 14 months-staff Sergeant and medically retired for injuries received. The first Marine to ever be promoted after retirement. He is an actor and advisor on many movies.
Though Selleck eventually returned to acting and has been starring as police chief Frank Reagan on CBS' Blue Bloods since 2010, work-life balance has continued to be his main priority. "I'm a fairly private person. And I've always treasured the balance between work and time with my family.
