Celebrities Who You Didn’t Know Were in the Military

While serving in the military, some of these stars learned discipline, hard work and determination. Other stars realized that they wanted to lead different paths in life. Who went on to become an incredible painter? Who was required by law to serve? Find out these and more incredible stories…

Adam Driver

Adam Driver joined the military in 2001 after a time where he described, “September 11 happened and all my friends were like ‘Let’s join the military!’ and I was the only one who actually did.”

His time serving gave him a new perspective on civilian life and this lead him to pursue acting. He served for two years before he was medically discharged.

Morgan Freeman

Not only did Morgan Freeman serve, but he turned down a drama scholarship to do so. Three of Morgan’s four brothers served in the military as well. Freeman spent three years in the Air Force. He says of his time, “I did three years, eight months, and ten days in all, but it took me a year and a half to get disabused of my romantic notions about it.”

Jimi Hendrix

Jimi Hendrix isn’t the first person you think of when you think of rule-followers in structured environments. What’s less surprising is how he got there. In 1961, Hendrix was caught driving a stolen car. He was given the choice of prison or the Army and this is what he chose.

Bob Ross

Not only did Bob Ross serve, but he did so for a long time. Bob Ross spent twenty years in the Air Force. It’s actually where he started painting. Bob Ross climbed the ranks all the way up to Master Sergeant.