13 Hollywood Stars Who Proudly Wore the Marine Corps Uniform

13 Hollywood Stars Who Proudly Wore the Marine Corps Uniform

Before the bright lights of Hollywood called their names, some of our favorite stars answered a different call—service in the United States Marine Corps. These celebrities traded movie scripts for military manuals and glamorous wardrobes for the distinctive dress blues. Their time in the Marines shaped not just their personal character but often the tough, disciplined personas they later brought to the screen. Here’s a look at 13 famous faces who served as proud Marines before becoming household names.

1. Lee Marvin

Machine gun fire at the Battle of Saipan left an indelible mark on Lee Marvin, earning him a Purple Heart and shaping his future tough-guy persona. After recovering from his wounds, Marvin channeled his combat experience into powerful performances that resonated with authenticity.

His military background wasn’t just a footnote in his biography—it became the backbone of his acting technique. The Oscar winner’s performances in war films like The Dirty Dozen carried the weight of someone who’d witnessed real combat.

Fellow veterans often noted how Marvin’s portrayals captured the thousand-yard stare only true combat survivors recognize.

2. Adam Driver

The terrorist attacks of 9/11 sparked something fierce in young Adam Driver. Patriotism surged through his veins as he enlisted in the Marines, joining the 1st Battalion, 1st Marines with dreams of deployment.

Fate intervened when a mountain biking accident resulted in a medical discharge before he could see combat. Yet the Marine Corps ethos remained embedded in his approach to acting—the discipline, physical commitment, and intensity visible in every role.

After trading his uniform for a spot at Juilliard, Driver brought military precision to his craft, eventually conquering galaxies far, far away as the complex villain Kylo Ren.

3. R. Lee Ermey

Few actors have embodied their military background more completely than Ronald Lee Ermey. His portrayal of Gunnery Sergeant Hartman in Full Metal Jacket wasn’t just acting—it was practically documentary footage of his own drill instructor days.

After serving 14 months in Vietnam during his 11-year Marine career, Ermey initially signed on as a technical advisor for Kubrick’s war film. His improvised insults and authentic military bearing convinced the director to cast him instead.

The role earned him a Golden Globe nomination and cemented his status as Hollywood’s go-to military tough guy until his death in 2018, with Ermey proudly serving as an unofficial Marine Corps ambassador throughout his life.

4. Gene Hackman

At just 16, Gene Hackman fudged his birth certificate and stepped into Marine Corps boots, eager to prove himself a man. His service as a field radio operator took him across the Pacific—China, Japan, and Hawaii—in the aftermath of World War II.

The discipline and determination fostered during those formative military years laid groundwork for an acting career built on grit and authenticity. After discharge, Hackman worked odd jobs while studying acting, refusing to give up despite being voted “least likely to succeed” by classmates.

Two Academy Awards and countless unforgettable roles later, the former teenage Marine proved that military perseverance translates perfectly to Hollywood staying power.

5. Steve McQueen

Before earning his “King of Cool” crown, Steve McQueen was frequently in hot water with Marine Corps leadership. His rebellious spirit clashed with military discipline, landing him in the brig multiple times for unauthorized absences and insubordination.

Yet beneath the troublemaker exterior beat the heart of a hero. During Arctic training exercises, McQueen saved five Marines from drowning when their tank crashed through ice into frigid waters.

After honorable discharge in 1950, McQueen channeled his natural defiance into iconic roles in The Great Escape and Bullitt. His time as a Marine maverick perfectly prepared him for Hollywood’s quintessential anti-authority figures—characters that seemed less like acting and more like McQueen simply being himself.

6. Rob Riggle

Behind Rob Riggle’s comedic exterior lies one of Hollywood’s most distinguished military careers. While making audiences laugh on The Daily Show and in films like Step Brothers, Riggle simultaneously served 23 years in the Marine Corps Reserve, rising to lieutenant colonel.

His deployments weren’t to movie sets but to real conflict zones—Liberia, Kosovo, and Afghanistan. Riggle often juggled comedy tours with combat tours, sometimes leaving Hollywood gigs to fulfill his military obligations.

Unlike actors who briefly served before fame, Riggle maintained his commitment until 2013, earning nearly two dozen medals and awards. His comedy often draws from military experiences, bringing authentic warrior perspective to his humor.

7. Bea Arthur

Long before trading barbs as Dorothy Zbornak on The Golden Girls, Bernice Frankel—later known as Bea Arthur—was breaking barriers in the United States Marine Corps Women’s Reserve. Enlisting in 1943 during World War II, she became one of the first women to serve in the Marines.

Military records reveal Arthur worked as both a typist and truck driver, earning promotions for her “industrious” character and “meticulous” attention to detail. These same qualities would later define her comedic timing and delivery.

Arthur kept her military service relatively private throughout her entertainment career. When her service records surfaced after her death, fans discovered a new dimension to the actress who had always portrayed strong, trailblazing women—because she truly was one.

8. Drew Carey

The trademark crew cut and glasses weren’t just a comedic choice—they’re remnants of Drew Carey’s six years in the Marine Corps Reserve. Before asking contestants to “come on down,” Carey marched to military cadence, building the discipline that would later support his entertainment career.

His transition from serviceman to funnyman wasn’t accidental. Carey credits the Marines for instilling the confidence that propelled him onto comedy club stages when civilian life initially proved challenging.

The physical transformation from his Marine days to television stardom didn’t erase his military bearing. Watch closely during The Price Is Right, and you’ll catch glimpses of military precision in his movements—a testament to how deeply Marine Corps training shapes its members.

9. Harvey Keitel

At just 16, Harvey Keitel escaped his Brooklyn neighborhood by joining the Marine Corps, finding himself stationed in Lebanon during the volatile 1958 crisis. The intensity of real-world conflict gave Keitel firsthand experience with the high-stakes emotions he would later channel into unforgettable performances.

After his discharge, Keitel studied under legendary acting teacher Stella Adler, bringing military discipline to his artistic pursuit. This combination proved powerful when he connected with directors like Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino.

The unflinching authenticity in films like Taxi Driver and Reservoir Dogs owes much to Keitel’s Marine background—his characters carry the weight of someone who’s witnessed real-world consequences beyond Hollywood sets.

10. Wilford Brimley

Before becoming the grandfatherly face of Quaker Oats and diabetes testing supplies, Wilford Brimley endured the harsh conditions of the Aleutian Islands as a Marine. The remote Alaskan archipelago taught young Brimley resilience that would later define his acting career.

After military service, Brimley worked as a ranch hand and blacksmith before stumbling into Hollywood as a horseman and wrangler for Western films. His authentic frontier skills and no-nonsense demeanor—honed during Marine service—made him perfect for weathered character roles.

In films like Cocoon and The Natural, Brimley brought lived experience to every line, his Marine-trained grit showing through in characters who embodied old-school values and unwavering integrity.

11. Ernie Hudson

Before strapping on a proton pack to battle supernatural threats, Ernie Hudson built his real-world foundation in the Marine Corps Reserve. Though his service was brief compared to his decades-long acting career, the military discipline provided crucial structure during his formative years.

Hudson’s post-Marine journey wasn’t easy—he worked as a janitor while attending Yale School of Drama, bringing military perseverance to his artistic pursuits. The patience and determination cultivated in uniform helped Hudson weather Hollywood’s ups and downs.

When fans see Winston Zeddemore’s practical, level-headed approach amid the eccentric scientists in Ghostbusters, they’re witnessing Hudson’s Marine-influenced steadiness—a quality that made him the relatable anchor in a team of paranormal experts.

12. Tim Matheson

While portraying the smooth-talking ladies’ man Otter in Animal House, Tim Matheson was simultaneously fulfilling his commitments as a Marine Corps Reservist. This dual life required exceptional discipline—balancing Hollywood’s late nights with military obligations.

Matheson’s acting career began as a child, but his decision to join the Reserves revealed a depth beyond his on-screen charm. Throughout his rise to fame, he maintained his military connection, bringing that structured approach to his later work as a director and producer.

His portrayal of Vice President John Hoynes in The West Wing showcased the commanding presence developed during his service years—authoritative yet accessible, with the bearing of someone familiar with real-world hierarchy and protocol.

13. Burt Young

Burt Young’s iconic turn as Paulie in the Rocky films carried the grit of real experience—he’d thrown punches as a Marine Corps boxer from 1957 to 1959. No wonder his famous line, “You’re gonna eat lightnin’ and crap thunder!” landed with such authenticity.

Young’s military service included time in the ring, where he developed both the physical toughness and psychological insight into fighters that made his portrayal of Rocky Balboa’s gruff brother-in-law so compelling. After discharge, he studied acting under legendary teacher Lee Strasberg.

The gritty, working-class realism Young brought to his roles wasn’t manufactured in acting school—it came from lived experience, including his Marine years. His Academy Award nomination for Rocky validated his authentic approach to character development.