---
title: "How some famous military celebrities spent their time in service"
date: "2018-03-31"
modified: "2020-10-22"
authors:
  - name: "Orvelin Valle"
    link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/orvelinvalle/"
url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/podcast/how-some-famous-military-celebrities-spent-their-time-in-service/"
categories:
  - "Entertainment"
  - "Movies and TV"
---

# How some famous military celebrities spent their time in service

![](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/assets.rbl.ms/17302007/origin.jpg>)

---

Subscribe: [Apple Podcasts](<https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/we-are-the-mighty-podcast/id1097347489?mt=2ls=1>) | [Google Play](<https://play.google.com/music/m/Ik74jtwxcqatfrhejduirp5dk7y?t=Podcast__We_Are_The_Mighty>) | [Stitcher](<https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/we-are-the-mighty-podcast>) | [Spotify](<https://open.spotify.com/show/04iDsWhqVtpV2DwVRYli76>)

Before they were big-name celebrities, the veterans on this episode of the WATM podcast were everyday Joes in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps. Some — like Montel Williams — were among the those who made full careers out of their time in service. Others were not cut out for the military and were eventually kicked out.

Regardless of their experience, one thing's for sure — their military careers didn't determine how famous they'd become after the service.

**Related: [This is how 'Got Your Six' works with movie makers to get it right](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-trending/this-is-how-got-your-six-works-with-movie-makers-to-get-it-right/>)**

**Hosted by:**

- [Logan Nye](<https://www.facebook.com/Logan.Nye.writes/>): Army veteran and Associate Editor
- [Blake Stilwell](<https://www.facebook.com/StilwellAngel/>): Air Force veteran and Managing Editor
- [Tracy Woodward](<https://twitter.com/tbonewoodward>): Benevolent smartass and Social Media coordinator
- [Orvelin Valle (AKA O.V.)](<https://twitter.com/orvelinvalle>): Navy veteran and Podcast Producer

### Selected links and show notes from the episode:

- [27 photos of America's biggest celebrities when they were in the military](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/articles/celebrities-military-uniform/>)
- 11 obscure stories about Marines who became celebrities
- 9 celebrities who were military flyboys first
- [7 celebrities who didn't last at West Point](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/articles/west-point-celebrities/>)
- \[02:285\] Mel Brooks
- \[02:44\] Chuck Norris
- \[04:50\] Gene Hackman
- \[05:30\] Drew Carey
- \[06:50\] Johnny Cash
- \[09:25\]Bea Arthur (Bernice Frankel)
- \[15:00\] Shaggy (Orville Burrell)
- \[15:22\] Song: Boombastic, Shaggy
- \[15:47\] Morgan Freeman
- \[19:58\] Clint Eastwood
- \[20:55\] Jimi Hendrix
- \[22:02\] George Carlin
- \[26:30\] Edgar Allan Poe
- \[27:30\] Mr. T (Lawrence Tureaud)
- \[28:52\] Montel Williams
- \[29:49\] Marvin Gaye
- \[30:10\] Rob Riggle

### Music licensed by Jingle Punks:

- Skynet-JP
- Goal Line
- Slick It Instrumental

## Author
OV is a Navy veteran and an expert in social media and entertainment marketing. Previously, with music electronics company Roland, he created social media outreach and growth strategies that became Roland's worldwide corporate standard. OV also managed social media and promotions for Madison Square Garden and Clear Channel Radio.