Celebrities who served in the Military – Hugh Hefner, Elvis and Golden Girls Betty White
The late King of Rock ‘n’ Roll Elvis Presley is just one of the major celebrities to have served in the military.
Elvis rose to the rank of sergeant after joining the army in 1957 before returning to his life of fame and fortune – and he’s not the only celebrity to have done so.
Hollywood legend Betty White put her acting career on hold to serve in the American Women’s Voluntary Services (AWVS), while Star Wars icon Adam Driver joined the Marines before landing his famous film roles.
READ MORE: Insights into Elvis Presley’s final days – drug addiction, engagement and chilling last words
On the anniversary of Elvis’ retirement from the army in 1960 (March 5), the Daily Star takes a look at other celebrities who served in the military.
elvis
Elvis served in the army from 1957 to 1960(Image: Getty Images)
After rising to fame with hits like Houndog and Jailhouse Rock, Elvis was drafted into the army in 1957, where he rose to the rank of sergeant.
The Washington Post reported that Elvis said at the time: “People expected me to screw it up, screw it up one way or another.
“They thought I couldn’t take it and whatnot, and I was determined to push myself to the limit to prove otherwise. Not just for the people who were wondering, but for myself.”
While in the military, he met Priscilla Presley (née Beaulieu), with whom he would welcome the late Lisa Marie-Presley upon their marriage.
However, he also encountered heartbreak when his beloved mother, Gladys Presley, died of a heart attack during the singer’s military service in 1958.
Elvis was discharged from the Army in 1960 before the singer directed his famous comeback special and landed roles in a string of hit films in the same decade.
Betty White
Betty White took a break from acting to serve in American Women’s Voluntary Services (AWVS).(Image: NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images)
The late Golden Girls legend, Betty White, served as a member of the American Women’s Voluntary Services (AWVS) during World War II, where she performed duties such as driving supply trucks, firefighting, aircraft observation, navigation, and aerial photography.
The Hollywood legend had started acting and modeling in the 1930s, but put her career on hold in 1941 to volunteer with the AWVS.
People Magazine reported that Betty recalled her time in the AWVS to Cleveland Magazine, saying, “It was a strange time and out of balance with everything that young people are sure going through right now. We’ll never learn. We’ll never learn.”
After her death on December 31, 2021, the star was recognized for her service in the US Army in a poignant tribute on social media.
The US Army wrote in a Twitter statement: “We are saddened by the death of Betty White.
“Not only was she a great actress, she also served as a member of the American Women’s Voluntary Services during World War II.
“A true legend on and off the screen.”
Tom Selleck
Tom Selleck served in the California Army National Guard from 1967 to 1973(Image: NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)
Friends and Magnum PI icon Tom Selleck served in the California Army National Guard between 1967 and 1973, with the actor even appearing on recruiting posters.
Speaking to Military.Com, the actor recalled his service, saying, “I’m a veteran, I’m proud of it.
“I was a sergeant in the US Army Infantry, National Guard, Vietnam era. In that sense we are all brothers and sisters.”
However, before serving in the military, Tom had already signed a deal to be part of Twentieth Century Fox’s talent program, which seemed to portend his future and fame in Hollywood.
As fate would have it, Tom’s most famous character – Thomas Magnum in Magnum PI – was a former Navy SEAL, in a bizarre twist of fate that seemed to reflect the actor’s military past.
He has also maintained his military connections outside of acting, serving as spokesperson for the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial Fund.
Morgan Freeman
Morgan Freeman served in the Air Force from 1955 to 1959(Image: Getty Images for SeriousFun)
Oscar winner Morgan Freeman joined the Air Force in 1955 after growing up fascinated by war movies.
The star wanted to learn to fly and after joining the Air Force served as a radar technician for more than four years before he got the chance to pursue his dream of auditioning for a job as a pilot.
However, as reported by Miltary.com, he admitted to AARP Magazine that once he sat in the cockpit of an airplane, his feelings about becoming a pilot changed, saying: “When I was about to be accepted for pilot training , I was allowed to board a jet plane.
“I sat there and looked at all these switches and dials, and I had a distinct feeling that I was sitting in the nose of a bomb. You’re not in love with this; you’re in love with the idea of it.”
Morgan subsequently left the company in 1959 after realizing that life in the Air Force was not for him.
However, he has since played a member of the Air Force in the 1989 film Glory.
Hugh Hefner
Hugh Hefner served in the Army for two years between 1946 and 1948(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
The late Playboy tycoon Hugh Hefner served in the Army as an infantry clerk after graduating from high school in 1944.
He completed his basic training while serving in the army, but continued his passion for journalism by providing the cartoons for the army newspapers.
After his discharge two years later in 1946, Hugh left the company and later worked at Esquire Magazine before founding his multi-million dollar Playboy empire.
Adam driver
Adam Driver joined the Marines when he was 18 years old(Image: Stephen Lovekin/REX/Shutterstock)
Adam Driver may be known for his action roles, but he served in the Marines long before he played Star Wars villain Kylo Ren.
The star signed at the age of 18, and the actor said during a TED Talk that it was “one of the things I’m most proud to have done in my life.”
He further explained, “I joined … with a feeling that most people in the country did at the time, filled with a sense of patriotism and retribution and a desire to do something.
“That coupled with the fact that I didn’t do anything.”
However, he was medically discharged from the Marines after two years of service following an injury, telling NPR’s Terry Gross, “It was pretty devastating. It took me a long time to get over it.”
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