8 Celebrities You May Have Forgotten Were Veterans

Author Erica Banas // Rock Music Reporter

November 11th, 2021 12:01 AM

There are a number of notable rockers and other celebrities that served in the military, but there are also a number of entertainers you may not remember also enlisted.

This Veterans Day, we take a look at some public figures you may have forgotten were also veterans.

• Bob Ross

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  The first two words you think of when talking about Bob Ross is likely “Happy Trees” and not “Master Sergeant,” but that’s the highest rank the host of “The Joy Of Painting” held in his 20 years with the Air Force.

• Bea Arthur

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  Bea Arthur was one of the first members of the United States Marine Corps Women's Reserve. Arthur joined in 1943 and was honorably discharged in 1945 having achieved the rank of staff sergeant.

• James Doohan

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  Before he was Montgomery “Scotty” Scott on 'Star Trek,' Doohan served in the Canadian Army and fought at Normandy on D-Day where he was shot a number of times, including a shot to the chest that was stopped by a cigarette case.
• Leonard Nimoy

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  'Star Trek’s' Mr. Spock joined the United States Army Reserves and earned the rank of sergeant before being discharged in 1955.

• Maynard James Keenan

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  The Tool frontman joined the United States Army in 1981 and studied at West Point from 1983-1984.

• Jimi Hendrix

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  Hendrix enlisted in the United States Army in May 1961 as an ultimatum following getting busted for stealing cars. (It was either the Army or prison.) He was honorably discharged in June 1962 following a report filed by his platoon sergeant stating, "He has no interest whatsoever in the Army ... It is my opinion that Private Hendrix will never come up to the standards required of a soldier. I feel that the military service will benefit if he is discharged as soon as possible."
• Mel Brooks

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  The famous filmmaker was drafted into the Army during World War II where he diffused land mines as a combat engineer.

• Mr. T

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  Before he stepped in the ring with Rocky or joined The A-Team, Mr. T joined the Army and served in the Military Police Corps.

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Author Erica Banas // Rock Music Reporter

Category:

• Celebs
• Q Entertainment Headlines
• Q105

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Veterans Day