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.

[DollyCali]

There you go.. I just came in .. go to my pings & you make me cry!!!1

Thanks Jack... you seem to so easily have thoughts emit from your soul & so freely share with use. I join the others in expressing appreciation for the time & labor of love that your talent is.

God Bless!

[Coleus]

nice thread

[Kathy in Alaska]

Powerful words, Jack, and oh so true.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thank you so very much for your poem! Kudos!

[DollyCali]

Thank you Coleus.. thanks for visiting (nice screenname!..love the annual flower, if that is where it is from)

[Jhensy]

Others who served, to various degrees:

Don Adams
James Arness
Gene Autry
Tony Bennett
MacDonald Carey
Art Carney
Johnny Carson
James Carville (ugh)
Johnny Cash
Mike Connors
Ossie Davis (WWII vet, ugh)
Mike Farrell (ugh)
Henry Fonda
Glenn Ford
Gene Hackman
George Jones
James Earl Jones
Harvey Keitel
Kris Kristofferson
John Laroquette
Gary Lewis
G. Gordon Liddy
Ed McMahon
Jay North
Hugh O'Brian
Clarence Page
George Peppard
Elvis Presley (how could we forget!)
Pernell Roberts
Will Rogers
Pat Sajak
Gene Siskel (!)
McLean Stevenson
Oliver Stone (ugh)
Dave Thomas
Adam West
Montel Williams

Speaking of Siskel, current NY Post film critic Kyle Smith was a lieutenant in the Gulf War. He absolutely tore "Jarhead" a new one in his review.

[Redleg Duke]

Not to my knowledge about the reunions. He just said that he met him on Guam, but that was all.

[DollyCali]

Is your dad still living? I have a million/zillion questions I would ask mine if he were still living.. so what do I do? Ignore asking impt/pertinent questions of my mom WHO IS STILL LIVING... sigh.. hope your weekend was good RLD.. and all is going well with the Mrs. & your great son! Overwhelmed here as usual.

[DollyCali]

great list . Thank you. I have been busy in photo editing & lost tract of time, pings, my mother (invalid I caregive), eating... such is life. appreciate your contributions!

[DollyCali]

HAPPY
BIRTHDAY
PHIL POTTER

Born, March 28, 1941

With wife and BESTEST Friend Karen

With Karen & DollyCali

Dear Phil,

You look 20 years younger

You ACT 50 years younger
NO, make that 60 years younger!

You are loved by SOOOOOOOOOO many

And Respected by SOOOOOOOOOO many more.

Have a great day & wonderful year Friend

Much love,
Dolly

[luvie]

PARTY HEARTY
PHIL POTTER

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! May it be the best one ever

[Badray]

Happy Birthday, Phil.

My son's birthday is today also.

[RockinRight]

Happy Birthday Phil!

[tuliptree76]

Happy Birthday, Phil!

[91B]

James "Scotty" Doohan was in the Canadian Army during WWII.

[DollyCali]

I didn't know that! AT least he was on the RIGHT side!

[tuliptree76]

[DollyCali]

Hey there Ray.. happy birthday to your son! If he turns out half as smart, nice & handsome as Phil, you will be one proud dad (and I am sure you are very proud already)

[Mrs.Nooseman]

Wishing you a very........

Phil Potter!!!!

May all your wishes come true.

[Jonah Hex]

Don't forget Jackie Coogan, who served as a glider pilot (a very dangerous job) in WWII! (Co-starred with Charlie Chaplain in The Kid as a child star, then created Uncle Festus in The Addams Family.)

From Wikipedia:

Coogan enlisted in the US Army March 1941. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, he requested a transfer to US Army Air Corps as a glider pilot because of his civilian flying experience. After graduating from glider school, he was made a Flight Officer and he volunteered for hazardous duty with the 1st Air Commando Group. In December 1943, the unit was sent to India. He flew British troops, the Chindits, under General Orde Wingate on 5 March 1944, landing them at night in a small jungle clearing 100 miles behind Japanese lines in the Burma campaign.

There's an exhibit in the Air Force Museum about Coogan with a few pictures of him in Rangoon.