Unveiling the Untold Stories: Surprising Military Backgrounds of Betty White, Prince Harry, and More Celebrities

Celebrities like Betty White, Morgan Freeman, and Tom Selleck not only achieved fame in the entertainment industry, but also felt an innate desire to fulfill a greater purpose by serving their country. Despite Freeman's intense passion for theater, he made the brave decision to decline a drama scholarship at Jackson State University in order to pursue his lifelong dream of joining the air force.

Content: "This is the child who enlisted in the Air Force many years ago. His passion for aviation was sparked by regularly watching movies at his neighborhood cinema," the actor from Shawshank Redemption expressed on Facebook in November 2019, accompanied by his official military picture. "I extend my admiration to all our service members for their altruistic sacrifice and unwavering commitment to our tranquility and liberty."

Meanwhile, Selleck had already embarked on his journey to stardom when he received a conscription notice for the Vietnam War.

In a 2022 interview with Military.com, Selleck, a former sergeant in the U.S. Army infantry, National Guard during the Vietnam era, reminisced about the strong bond among servicemen and women, stating, "We're all brothers and sisters in that sense." See below for a list of other military veterans turned stars, such as Freeman, Selleck, Adam Driver, and Drew Carey.

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Celebrities Who Are Military Veterans: Betty White, Prince Harry and More

Celebrity icons such as Betty White, Morgan Freeman, and Tom Selleck achieved tremendous success in the entertainment business, yet they were not content with just their fame. These individuals recognized a deeper mission to dedicate themselves to their country.

Freeman, despite his passion for theater, rejected a drama scholarship at Jackson State University to pursue his dream of joining the Air Force. In November 2019, the Shawshank Redemption actor shared his official military photo on Facebook and expressed his admiration for service members and their dedication to peace and freedom.

Selleck, on the other hand, was already on the path to becoming a true star when he received a draft notice for the Vietnam War.

"I served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army infantry during the Vietnam era, National Guard. We are all unified as brothers and sisters in that regard," Selleck reminisced in a 2022 interview with Military.com.

Keep scrolling to see Freeman, Selleck and more stars — including Adam Driver and Drew Carey — who are military veterans:

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Betty White

When the United States joined World War II in 1941, White enlisted in the American Women's Voluntary Services. During her tenure, she gathered provisions and transported them to the barracks located in the Hollywood Hills, all while attending evening dances held in honor of departing soldiers.

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Bob Barker

During World War II, the ex-host of The Price Is Right, enlisted in the United States Navy Reserve in 1943. Although he initially joined with the intention of becoming a fighter pilot, he ultimately did not serve in active duty.

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Bea Arthur

Like her future Golden Girls costar White, Arthur volunteered at the start of World War II. Joining the United States Marine Corps Women's Reserve in 1943, the All in the Family alum was among the first to enlist. After successfully completing basic training, she contributed her skills as a typist at the Marines' headquarters in Washington D.C. before being transferred to North Carolina to serve as a truck driver. Following her honorable discharge in 1945, Arthur was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant.

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Drew Carey

After withdrawing from college in 1980, the comedian made the decision to join the United States Marine Corps Reserve. In 1980, Carey embarked on a six-year journey as a field radio operator in the 25th Marine Regiment located in Ohio.

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Adam Driver

After the 9/11 attacks, Driver joined the United States Marine Corps when he was 18. However, two years into his service, the Star Wars actor suffered a fractured sternum in a mountain bike accident. This incident occurred just before his deployment to Iraq with his troop. Unfortunately, due to his deteriorating injury, Driver had to leave the military and was given the rank of lance corporal upon his discharge. In 2015, Driver spoke about the injury that ended his military career, describing it as a devastating experience. He expressed his sadness and embarrassment for not being able to serve alongside his close-knit group of fellow soldiers due to the injury.

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Tom Selleck

After receiving a draft notice for the Vietnam War, Selleck opted to join the California National Guard. From 1967 to 1973, he actively served in the 160th Infantry Regiment. Notably, his photograph was eventually selected for the recruitment posters of the California National Guard.

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Morgan Freeman

Freeman started his air force journey by fixing automated tracking radars, which were utilized to determine the position of airplanes and missiles. He served as an Airman First Class in the airfare from 1955 to 1959.

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Rob Riggle

Riggle, originally aspiring to be a naval aviator with the Marines, joined the military after acquiring his pilot's license in 1990. However, during his training to become a military pilot, Riggle made the decision to chase his comedic aspirations instead. Consequently, he chose to become a Ground Officer, as it entailed a shorter contract duration. Subsequently, Riggle completed a nine-year tenure on active duty before transitioning to the reserves.

Following the 9/11 attacks, Riggle was summoned to provide assistance at Ground Zero. Subsequently, he willingly returned to active duty and was deployed to Afghanistan. Additionally, in 2007, Riggle took on the role of a military correspondent for The Daily Show and traveled to Iraq with the purpose of entertaining troops as part of the USO. After 23 years of service, he officially retired from the Marines Reserves in 2013. Throughout his tenure with the Marines, Riggle achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and was honored with various awards, including the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, and more.

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Prince Harry

Prince Harry dedicated a decade of his life to serving in the British Army. Rising through the ranks to become a Captain, he showcased his skills as a pilot during two deployments in Afghanistan. Revealing intimate details about his military experience in his 2023 memoir, Spare, Harry shared that he was involved in six missions that resulted in the demise of 25 Taliban members. Even after leaving the army, Harry's commitment to supporting veterans persisted as he established his own non-profit organization, the Invictus Games. This remarkable event celebrates the triumphs of injured veterans through the power of sports.

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Prince William

The Prince of Wales, following in his brother's footsteps, too embarked on a military career and dedicated seven-and-a-half years to full-time service. Nevertheless, William chose a different path by undergoing training in both the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, attaining ranks of sub-lieutenant and flying officer, respectively. Due to his position in the monarchic line of succession, he made the conscious decision to refrain from serving on the frontlines.