Hollywood Stars - Veteran Patriots

Dolly Howard | November 11, 2005 | DollyCali

[DollyCali]

With "JAG," "Navy CIS," "MASH," and other military television shows being quite popular, one might consider with how military service has enhanced the fame of veteran actors in Hollywood or vice versa.

During our distinguished history, some Hollywood actors have taken a break from their careers while they defended our country oftentimes to battle in war.

These hereos include Charles Bronson, Gary Cooper, Glenn Ford, Henry Fonda, Clarke Gable, Lee Marvin, Elvis Presley, and Jimmy Stewart.

More recent editions of entertainment veterans include "Limp Bizkit" lead singer Fred Durst who did service with the United States Navy.

Up until just recently, we could find James Reynolds on NBC's afternoon soap opera "Days of Our Lives." He starred as "Abe Carver" on the show from October, 1982 through September, 2003. Reynolds served for the U.S. Marine Corps and was wounded while in the Vietnam War ending his military career. Upon returning from the war and enrolling in Topeka's Washburn University, he was advised that the theatre department was the best place on campus to meet girls. Many of you might agree that this inducement is still true today. Reynolds listened and his career was off and running.

Dennis Franz, who portrayed detective "Andy Sipowicz" on "NYPD Blue," served in the Vietnam War with the U.S. Army's 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions. Says Franz of his tormenting 11 months over in Vietnam, "it was one of those experiences that you never want to experience again, but it was life altering. It was a very maturing time for me. I came back a much different person than when I left, maybe much more serious. I was very frivilous before I left. I left my youth over there. I left it behind." Remembering the friends that he made over there, he said, "I had seen many friends get wounded or lose their lives." He added that in this environment, "they become all important to you. So when something happens to them, it really hurts."

Chuck Norris performed as the lead character "Walker" for many years on "Walker, Texas Ranger." Norris served in the U.S. Air Force as a military policeman. He said that, "my years in the military changed my life. It helped me to get my focus." While in the service, he also took up Judo.

Don Bellisario, producer of "JAG," "Navy CIS," and "Magnum P.I," is himself formerly of the U.S. Marine Corps.

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has military experience as well. He served his native country in the Austrian Army working with armored tanks. This well known action hero and body builder explains that he joined up to receive fresh meat for his rigorous training appetite.

A further review will find additional celebrity actors who have donned the uniform of the U.S. armed forces. Briefly naming a few, Charleton Heston was a Sergeant with the Army Air Corps during World War II. JesseVentura saw action in the Vietnam War as a Navy SEAL. Clint Eastwood served in the U.S. Army while being stationed at Ft. Ord, CA. Montel Williams first enlisted into the Marine Corps and later attended the U.S. Naval Academy. He consequently earned a commission and became a Navy Intelligence Officer. Alan Alda was a combat officer with the Army while fighting in the Korean War. Jay North from "Dennis The Menace" served in the Navy. Drew Carey was with the Marine Corps for 5 years.

Women are now getting into the act more and more. Robin Quivers, longtime a sidekick of Howard Stern, was a Captain and nurse in the military. T.J. Myers served in Operation Desert Storm with the Army. Darva Conger, who was briefly married to Rick Rockwell after "earning the opportunity" on the reality TV show "Who Wants To Marry A Millionaire," was a nurse Staff Sergeant with the Air Force. Former Navy petty officer Sherry Lynne White's career includes appearing on several episodes of "Baywatch Hawaii." Coincidentially, both Conger and White have posed for Playboy." Speaking of Playboy, Editor-in-Chief Hugh Hefner was in the Army as an infantry clerk from 1944 - 1946.

J. Scott Davis, enlisted into the Navy, held the Gunner's Mate- Guns petty officer rating, specialty of Surface Rescue Swimmer, and served in the Persian Gulf War aboard a naval destroyer.He has built a very interesting web page listing those famous Hollywood celebrities who are veterans of the military. Please take a moment to view it enclosed below:

http://www.geocities.com/entertainmentveterans/chiseled.html

Remember to never take for granted your freedom.
Always appreciate the contribution those provide you
in the armed forces year around 24 hours per day.

[Jet Jaguar]

Sinbad, the comedian, did a brief stint in the AF.

I have heard, but cannot confirm, he was accepted into Tops in Blue.

Tops in Blue is the AF entertainment liaison group. They are all active duty Airmen that do a one year tour entertaining the troops and the public.

[Casloy]

If you watch AFN in Iraq or Europe you see a lot of public service announcements by celebrities praising the troops. Funny thing, the only celebrities you see are Country music artists. You never see a rock star or a movie star.

[DollyCali]

I have never been particularly drawn to Alda.. Some of his work was good. I am more drawn to the Mel, Harrison types. and re: Jane, suppose you are right. I like to give her the benefit of the doubt. I have some very strong conservative friends who were caught up in the peace/love/etc movement during Vietnam & they will admit to being Naive & feeling they were protesting in the best interest of the country. In retrospect they have some embarrassment etc. Jane never did. It was prolly a career boost for her & she married one of the biggies in the LEFT movement at the time (Hayden)

[eleni121]

Alda never impressed me with his acting ability. His father may be "distinguished" but that description doesn't fit the son.

[Jet Jaguar]

I will disagree with you there, sorta.

We had Everclear come play for us last month.

They were good. Thanked those who served and kept politics out of it. (at least that night)

But, your statement stands. It was not an AFN PSA.

[New Perspective]

What an excellent post. Thank you for taking the effort.

I am going to download the entire picture and present it on my local tv access show that I do for veterans. That is if you give me permission. The lefties HATE the show. I always put in a little segment called "Liberal Ignorance On Parade" to highlight the stupidest liberal of the week. This is always a show favorite amongst the conservatives.

[Casloy]

Agreed, and even Robin Williams came through Iraq not too long ago. But, they sure do try and keep it under the radar.

[Jet Jaguar]

Yep.

[DollyCali]

please help yourself! Hope your group enjoys it! I had fun doing this. Was originally going to be a "simple" post for the weekend Finest, but became quite large/involved. like so many things in life. lol

[DollyCali]

the country stars seem to sing of the values of conservatism & most of them live those same values..

[DollyCali]

so VERY true

[eleni121]

A happy Veteran's Day to you too hero--Aloha Ronnie.

[Jack Deth]

For more than three decades Hollywood's had its head in the sand
It started during our little debacle in Vietnam
I believe it was an episode of "Hawaii Five-0"
Where a young Yaphett Kotto played a Marine Psycho
Talked down by Steve and Dan-O
And that vignette soon became the norm across the land

Returning soldiers were no longer to be admired
Filling whatever Nemesis roles required
To sell Muscle Cars during the hours of Prime Time
The "Troubled Vietnam Vet" became part of our culture
Whoever went was stupid and deserved to be slimed
And it didn't cost the studios vultures one thin dime!

The Seventies gave us Conrad's "Heart Of Darkness"
Jazzed up with great lines not lacking tartness
And a Heavy as a West Pointer who suddenly broke the rules
By "Going Native" while crushing the NVA's Family Jewels
So, they sent Martin Sheen to murder Brando
A mission cooked up by LBJ's political sycophants and fools!

If "Apocalypse Now!" was bad, "Platoon" was much worse
Setting the tone for GIs as murdering rapists
With a My Lai thrown in, Chapter and Verse
The soldiers and gear looked right
Yet soon ground down the plight
Of soldiers through entertainment surreal and escapist

'Tis a sad state of affairs when actors of this generation
Need a taste of Basic and Warfare's strict regimentation
To move with a ruck, carry a rifle and know how to use it
Under the strict eye of Technical Advising Vietnam Vets
Foremost, Marines R. Lee Ermey and Dale A. Dye
While Hollywood continues to give warriors a black eye!

Jack Deth~ 11/12/05.

[luvie]

Very powerful, Jack. Thanks for sharing your deep emotions with us!

[StarCMC]

Well put Jack. I went to see "Platoon" on a Valentine's day date of all things. We walked out. What a steaming load of BS that was.

[trussell]

Thank you for sharing Jack...and for the ping.

[GretchenM]

What a great idea for a thread, Dolly.

Reading what these men did, I can't help but wonder about those we lost, and what they would have been able to do with their lives.

God bless the veterans, and the memories of them.

[GodBlessUSA]

Thank You for the ping. Fabulous post. It is a sad state of affairs:)

A few more. ;) When hollywood Men were really MEN not just actors trying to pretend to be. ;)

There were so many more. :)

My favorite is this man. He brought moral into the Hollywood actors guild too. :) The Hero for all times and all things to me and so many. :)

[EsmeraldaA]

Thank you Jack.
That was powerful emotional and great.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Well done. Thanks.