--- title: "16 celebs who grew up as military brats" description: "April is Month of the Military Child, so here are 16 celebrities who grew up in military families. Which one of these military brats surprises you the most?" date: "2021-04-07" modified: "2021-04-07" authors: - name: "Blake Stilwell" job_title: "Editor-In-Chief, Air Force Veteran" link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/blake/" url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/lists/16-celebs-who-grew-up-as-military-brats/" categories: - "Entertainment" - "Family" - "Mighty MilSpouse" - "Movies and TV" --- # 16 celebs who grew up as military brats ![]() *April is Month of the Military Child, so here are 16 celebrities who grew up in military families. Which one of these military brats surprises you the most?* --- **1. Amy Adams** was born in Italy while her Army father was stationed at Caserma Ederle. He moved the family around for eight years before settling in Colorado. **2. Julianne Moore** was also raised in an Army home (and was born on Fort Bragg). **3. LeVar Burton** was born into an Army family at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. He would grow up to be the chief engineer of the USS Enterprise under Captain Jean-Luc Picard. **4.** Luke Skywalker (actor **Mark Hamill**) was from a Navy family and even graduated from high school on Yokosuka Naval Base in Japan. Strangely, Luke fights best on the Dune Sea. There must be a SeaBee in the family somewhere. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsYbVy15jII **5. Robert Duvall** was born into a Navy family. His father started at the Naval Academy at 16, made Captain at 39, and retired a rear admiral. His family is descended from the family of Confederate General Robert E. Lee. Duvall served in the Army during the Korean War, but "barely qualified on the M-1 rifle in basic." Still plays a badass Air Cav Commander, though. **6.** Author and Church of Scientology Founder **L. Ron Hubbard** was born into a Navy family. Much of Hubbard's travel throughout the Pacific is due to his father's Navy career. He later served as a Naval officer himself, although his record [has major discrepancies.]() **7.** Author of the novel *Push* Ramona Lofton (best known by her pen name **Sapphire**) was raised in an Army household. **8.** The Heartbreak Kid **Shawn Michaels** (born Michael Shawn Hickenbottom) was raised in Arizona, England, and San Antonio, following his father's Air Force career. He was a linebacker on Randolph Air Force Base's high school football team. **9. Annie Leibovitz** took her first photos when living with her father, an Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, while he was stationed in the Philippines. She moved frequently with him. **10.** Comedian **Patton Oswalt** was born to Larry Oswalt, a career Marine Corps officer – and was named for General George S. Patton. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfan5MacmsI **11. Stephen Stills'** military childhood in places like Florida, Louisiana, Costa Rica, Panama, and El Salvador was an influence on his musical style. Crosby, Nash, and Young had equally interesting childhoods, though outside of the military. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-azgwfnZu7c **12. Bruce Willis'** dad was a soldier who married a German woman while stationed there. Two years later, he moved the Willis family back to New Jersey. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pEOVNmSR7_c **13. James Woods'** father was an Army intelligence officer. **14. Tiger Woods** was born to Lieutenant Colonel Earl Woods, an Army officer and Vietnam veteran. **15.** Former MLB player **Johnny Damon** was born at Fort Riley, Kansas to Army Staff Sergeant Jimmy Damon. **16.** Legendary Doors frontman **Jim Morrison**'s dad was a Navy admiral, the youngest to attain flag rank at the time. ## Author Blake Stilwell is We Are The Mighty's Editor-in-Chief, covering military news, entertainment, and history, along with veteran education, employment and entrepreneurship. He is a former U.S. Air Force combat cameraman with degrees in Graphic Design, Television and Film, International Relations, Public Relations, Business Management and Middle Eastern Affairs. After leaving the military, he began working in film and television production in New York and Los Angeles, work that included ABC News, NBC Olympics, and HBO Sports. He then spent two years in Washington with White House Communications, before joining the Near East Foundation. At NEF he served as an International Development Fellow, then Communications Officer, and finally, Media Officer for the Middle East and Africa. Based in the Palestinian Territory, he coordinated strategic communications between eight country offices, international media, and government and NGO partners. He began a career focused on writing and editing in 2015 with We Are The Mighty. He left in 2019 for Military.com, but returned as Editor-in-Chief in 2025. Blake’s work has been seen on CBS News, Fox News, CBC, The Chicago Tribune, Task & Purpose, Military Times, Recoil, Skillset, American History, and was shockingly even used in a Supreme Court argument. He is an avid traveler and small business owner in Ohio, where he spends most of his energy fixing up a very old house. ### Author social links [Facebook]() [Twitter]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()