Ben Johnson Pro Celebrity : . After graduating from high school, Avery joined the Navy and served in Vietnam during the height of the war from 1968 to 1969. The first-generation American enlisted in the Army Air Force in 1943 and served as an aircraft gunner and Superfortress crewman. (1980).Selleck was born in Detroit, Michigan, to Martha (Jagger), a homemaker, and Robert Dean Selleck, a Of Greek descent on both sides, the son of immigrants, Savalas was a soldier during World War II, although most of his enlistment records were destroyed in a fire at the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1973. At the start of World War II, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Marines and transferred to the CIA's precursor agency, the Office of Strategic Services, eventually earning the Silver Star for valor. His first credited role was in Ford's 3 Godfathers; the film is notable for the riding skills demonstrated by both Johnson and star Pedro Armendriz. Expelled from high school for fighting, Warden worked as both a boxer and a bouncer in his youth. After joining the Army in 1939, however, Brand caught the acting bug while making training films for the government. So As a film character actor, Klugman was the epitome of the everyman. as well as image rights, data visualizations, forward planning tools, Robert Mitchum was one of the 20th century's most renowned on-screen tough guys, although he fit the bill in real life, as well. For the last 20 or so years, Clark has been doing stand-up comedy on the club circuit, on "The Tonight Show", on HBO comedy specials, on [error] and Late Night with Conan O'Brien (1993). William served two years in the US Army. Known for his roles in "Cocoon" and "First Blood," Brian Dennehy continues to rack up credits more than 40 years after his debut in an episode of "Kojak" in 1977. Following his military service he attended Southern Methodist . In 1953, he took a break from well-paid film work to compete in the Rodeo Cowboys Association (RCA), becoming the Team Roping World Champion; although he only broke even financially that year. His parents were Anna (Boselli), who had emigrated from Carpi (MO), Italy, and Camillo Borgnino, who had emigrated from Ottiglio (AL), Italy. He served as a four time US Olympic wrestling team alternate as a soldier in the U.S. Army, and is also a 6 time world heavyweight and light heavyweight UFC champion and Hall of Famer. The young Freeman Air Force - Joined in 1955 and served as a radar technician. Father died in 1925. buckle to him. He portrayed the role of James "Sonny" Crockett in the 1980s TV series ' Miami Vice '. Although the Army - WWII. Don Johnson is a Golden Globe-winning American actor, director, producer, singer, and songwriter. He later studied psychology at Columbia University under the Mr. T was born Laurence Tureaud on 21 May 1952, in the rough south side ghetto of Chicago. Ben Johnson, an acclaimed actor, has played the character of Travis in three consecutive movies: She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, Wagon Master, and Rio Grande. Like so many young people of his generation, Driver was swept up in patriotic fervor in the wake of 9/11. He entered the Marines in the 1950s for two years. The longtime leading man was also a World War II veteran who flew several dangerous missions in the Eastern Front as part of the 77th Bombardment Squadron of the Eleventh Air Force. He did stunt-double work for several years before breaking into acting with the help of John Ford. Widely regarded as the one of greatest stage and screen actors both in his native USA and internationally, James Earl Jones was born on January 17, 1931 in Arkabutla, Mississippi. Among those DJs was longtime "Wheel of Fortune" host Pat Sajak, who joined the Army as a clerk typist with the rank of Spc. Fred Willard radiated a unique charm that established him as one of the industry's most gifted comic actors, first coming to prominence as ambitious but dimwitted sidekick Jerry Hubbard to Martin Mull's smarmy talk-show host Barth Gimble in the devastating satirical series Fernwood Tonight (1977). Ben Johnson (Q349166) American film actor (1918-1996) Ben Johnson, Jr. Francis Benjamin Johnson edit Statements instance of human 2 references image Ben Johnson The Wild Bunch publicity photo.JPG 331 500; 94 KB 1 reference sex or gender male 5 references country of citizenship United States of America 0 references name in native language He was an actor, known for Shaft (1971), Rollerball (1975) and Heartbreak Ridge (1986). He graduated from Southern Illinois University and was Mel Brooks was born Melvin Kaminsky on June 28, 1926 in Brooklyn, New York. During World War II, he saw combat on a Navy destroyer in the Pacific. You may also like: The 100 best TV shows of all time, Gene Hackman dropped out of high school and lied about his age to join the Marines at the age of 16 and in 1947, he was sent to serve as a radio operator in China. This remarkable, soft-spoken American began in films as a diffident juvenile. Rock Hudson was born Roy Harold Scherer, Jr. in Winnetka, Illinois, to Katherine (Wood), a telephone operator, and Roy Harold Scherer, an auto mechanic. Stacker distribution partners receive a license to all Stacker stories, Rat Pack icon Sammy Davis Jr. starred in films like "Sergeants 3" and "Oceans 11" as part of a legendary show business career that spanned genres and generations. Richard Harris and Sally Kellerman presenting Ben Johnson with the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in "Last Picture Show" at the 44th Ac. Rather than shining a light on the hundreds of films depicting the military or war, today we're recognizing movie stars who served their country in real life. Colonel Kirby Yorke's devotion to military duty led him to destroy the plantation home of his southern-born wife during the Civil War. After being served draft papers during the Vietnam War, "Magnum P.I." Murphy joined the Army a few days after his 18th birthday and would emerge from World War II three years later as the most decorated soldier of the entire conflict. While in the service, he was tasked with making training films, writing scripts, and even touring with famed entertainer Red Skelton. He was born in Foraker, Oklahoma on 1918-06-13. Grew up in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Washington D.C., and Maine. He entered the marines in the 1950's for two years. He failed to obtain parts in school Navy - served in the Philippines as an aircraft mechanic during World War II. Although he was best known as the crotchety father in "Everybody Loves Raymond," Peter Boyle amassed nearly 100 acting credits dating back to the mid-1960s. He served in Normandy, was badly injured by a mortar round, and walked with a limp for the rest of his life. In each of these films, Johnson portrayed the role of Sergeant Travis Tyree in She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, Travis Blue in Wagon Master, and Trooper Travis Tyree in Rio Grande. Among the actors was an actual Korean War veteran, Jamie Farr, who received valuable training for his future Hollywood career while on duty. You may also like: Stars who joined and entertained during wartime. Francis Benjamin Johnson Jr. (June 13, 1918 - April 8, 1996) was an American film and television actor, stuntman, and world-champion rodeo cowboy. Winters parlayed his talent into a long television career, which included a run on his own show, "The Jonathan Winters Show." Satirical comedic actor Bob Newhart appeared in movies like "Elf," "Horrible Bosses," and "Legally Blonde 2," but his name is on his most famous works, which were all on television. Robert Montgomery's resume includes 64 acting credits, but he also directed six movies and produced three others. Handsome heartthrob Rock Hudson's resume includes "Giant" with Elizabeth Taylor and "Pillow Talk" with Doris Day. "Straight Shooting" -- whether skeet shooting, or portraying Eliot Ness -- Robert Stack always told it like it was, and shot straight. William served two years in the US Army. Tall and laconic, Johnson brought authenticity to many roles in Westerns with his droll manner and expert horsemanship.The son of a rancher, Johnson arrived in Hollywood to deliver a consignment of horses for a film. He served in Hawaii as part of the 25th Infantry Division. [6] Instead, he received a seven-year acting contract from Ford. From small-town Oklahoma native to internationally acclaimed actor and musician, Wes Studi credits his passion and multi-faceted background for his powerful character portrayals that forever changed a Hollywood stereotype. Academy Award-winner and longtime leading man Ernest Borgnine made his Broadway debut in 1949 before heading to Hollywood. He served in World War I after joining the Navy, earning an honorable dischargeand a scar he carried for the rest of his life. Tall and laconic, Johnson brought authenticity to many roles in Westerns with his droll manner and expert horsemanship. You may also like: 100 best John Wayne movies. Two-time Oscar winner Michael Caine starred in the "Batman" franchise, as well as comedies like "Dirty, Rotten Scoundrels" and dramas like "The Cider House Rules" and "Hannah and her Sisters." your CMS. Imposing, barrel-chested and often silver-haired Brian Dennehy was a prolific US actor, well respected on both screen and stage over many decades. -- Tom Selleck's sophisticated majordomo in Magnum, P.I. To that end, most Stacker stories are freely available to Sidney had little formal Tucker Smallwood, the eldest son of an educator and diplomat, was a NBC television director before being drafted into the US Army in 1967. Some celebrities, such as Elvis Presley and Clint Eastwood, are well-known as having served in the military; others, like Adam Driver and Ice-T, are not as widely known for their service. Loggia also Bob Newhart is an American actor and stand-up comedian. Wounded in action on Guadalcanal. Over 40 years after his untimely death from mesothelioma in 1980, Steve McQueen is still considered hip and cool, and he endures as an icon of popular Marines Since Leonard Nimoy's service records were destroyed in a fire, no one knows for sure exactly when he entered the service. He's also a veteran of the military. From the late 1950s he was a familiar face on TV, usually as authoritative figures. Hollywood icon Jack Lemmon has Hollywood credits dating from the 1940s to 2000. One of the most distinguished talents in movie history, British actor Laurence Olivier was known for dazzling theater audiences in several of Shakespeare's plays before earning a spot on Hollywood's A-List with big-screen roles in movies like "Wuthering Heights" and "Marathon Man." I knew if a cow weighed 1,000 pounds and bought $10 a hundred, I knew how much that was. for, [speaking about how his life was affected by winning the Oscar for. Pastore, who served in the Navy from 1964'67, was cast as Salvatore Bonpensiero, a reluctant mob rat in HBO's "The Sopranos.". Decorated Korean War combat veteran James Garner received two Purple Hearts after being discharged in 1952. Upon Harry Carey, Jr., had been reliable character actor for decades, mostly in Westerns, before he retired. Others, not so much. He had a twin brother who was stillborn. joined in 1947, honorably discharged in 1950. He did stunt double work for several years before breaking into acting through the good offices of John Ford. Blustery, stocky, loud although often genial character actor who has created a niche for himself playing often frustrated and fast talking Southern characters most noticeably as Sheriff J.W. The world knows Charles Bronson as an unshakeable vigilante from the "Death Wish" series. Originally, he planned on a career as a military man. and more. They lived in Mesa, Ariz. One of the most important pioneering actors in early Hollywood, Buster Keaton's career spanned nearly half a century with credits dating from 1917 to 1966. Stanton was born in West Irvine, Kentucky, to Ersel (Moberly), a cook, and Sheridan Harry Stanton, a barber and tobacco farmer. With the possible exception of James Earl Jones, Morgan Freeman arguably has the most famous voice in Hollywood. [1][dubious discuss], Johnson was born in Foraker, Oklahoma, on the Osage Indian Reservation, of Irish and Cherokee ancestry,[2][3] the son of Ollie Susan Johnson (ne Workmon) and Ben Johnson Sr.[4] His father was a rancher and rodeo champion in Osage County. In 1940, Olivier worked as a British agent in America trying to drum up support from the then-neutral United States before returning to Britain to join the Fleet Air Arm. For his service, he earned a Presidential Citation Award and a Bronze Star. The South London native was a member of the Queen's Royal Regiment and the Royal Fusiliers, spending time during his military years in Germany and Korea. His mother was an elementary school teacher and his father was a landscape designer. Johnson also appeared in four films of Sam Peckinpah and had a good relationship with the tempestuous director. Union, near Scottsville, Allen County, Kentucky, to Linus Pitts Napier, a tobacco farmer and postman, and his wife, Sara, on April 12, 1936. He has been married to Teresa Modnick since January 30, 2011. Although he said he had succeeded by sticking to what he knew, shrewd real estate investments made Johnson worth an estimated $100 million by his later years. From comedians and action stars to dramatic actors and television icons, Stacker compiled a look at the stars who moved on from careers as servicemen to lives of fame. At age 40 he became the youngest actor ever to be knighted when King George honored him with the title, and is one of the only actors to be buried in Westminster Abbey's vaunted Poet's Corner. He joined the Navy in 1938, serving for three years on the Yangtze River Patrol before joining the Merchant Marine in 1941. Born on June 13, 1918 in U.S, Ben Johnson (actor) started his career as film actor (1918-1996) . Like so many men of his generation, "It's a Mad, Mad World" actor Buddy Hackett joined the service right out of high school to fight in World War II. Although known for avoiding drama, he had definite boundaries; during the making of Rio Grande he defied Ford, who was notorious for browbeating his actors, and reportedly told him to go to hell. He served in the Army during World War II and was among the first soldiers to make it ashore on Omaha Beach in Normandy on D-Day. Mel Brooks is known worldwide for groundbreaking, irreverent, racially charged, and enduring comedies like "Spaceballs" and "Blazing Saddles," but his comedy career was preceded by combat service. That career was interrupted, however, in 1943 when he was drafted into the Army during World War II. He was a disc jockey for an Army radio station. He played the role of the iconic sitcom character George Jefferson, who appeared not just on "The Jeffersons," but also on "ER," "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," "House of Payne," and "All in the Family.". The mind behind "The Benny Hill Show" served in the British Army as a driver-mechanic before his talent earned him a role as a military entertainer. Both roles showcased Johnson's riding ability. The phrase "Good morning, Vietnam!" He flew dozens of missions and earned a Purple Heart after being wounded in action. In 1964, he worked with Ford again in Cheyenne Autumn. Kline was struck by lightning while serving in Vietnam. In addition, he was also decorated for bravery by the governments of France and Belgium, and Army - WWII. The first-generation American enlisted in the Army Air Force in 1943 and served as an aircraft gunner and Superfortress crewman. Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb. Johnson liked to say later that he got to Hollywood in a carload of horses. Nickname Son Height 6 2 (1.88 m) Mini Bio Born in Oklahoma, Ben Johnson was a ranch hand and rodeo performer when, in 1940, Howard Hughes hired him to take a load of horses to California. His favorites were jazz and big band. He has been married to Brent Power since March 27, 1975. His father, known Marines - WWII. Although he was drafted at the age of 18 in 1945 to serve in Italy during World War II, Daniels landed a pretty cushy gig. He went on to become one of the most enduring and prolific actors in history, with a whopping 336 credits spanning more than 90 years from 1926 to 2017. Born in 1908, Jimmy Stewart appeared in more than 80 movies over his long and storied career, but none more famous or beloved than "It's a Wonderful Life." Eastwood lucked out and was assigned to a job as a swimming instructor at a base in California during the deadly conflict. Screen legend, superstar, and the man with the most famous blue eyes in movie history, Paul Leonard Newman was born on January 26, 1925, in Cleveland, Ohio, the second son of Arthur Sigmund Newman (died 1950) and Theresa Fetsko (died 1982). BEN JOHNSON Signed photo of the Oscar-winning actor in Cavalry uniform, rifle ready Photograph signed: "Ben Johnson".B/w, 8x10. I have only found four female veterans for this list. He served as a medic at a U.S. Army hospital in the United States. Ben Johnson, rugged Western actor of about 300 films who won an Academy Award as the movie theater owner in "The Last Picture Show," died Monday He was 75. He is an actor and director, known for Dallas (1978), My Name Is Nobody (1973) and Dillinger (1973). He was discharged from the Army with the rank of technician fifth grade after serving his country in the 6817th Special Services Battalion from 1943-46. In doing so, youre agreeing to the below guidelines. George C. Scott had a 40-year show business career, the pinnacle of which was his Oscar-winning portrayal of the namesake American general in the movie "Patton." He performed on stage and in films as early as the 1920s, but halted his career in the 1940s to join the Navy during World War II. Brooks eventually started a comedy act and also worked in radio and as Master Entertainer at Grossinger's Resort before going to Clint Eastwood was born May 31, 1930 in San Francisco, the son of Clinton Eastwood Sr., a bond salesman and later manufacturing executive for Georgia-Pacific Corporation, and Ruth Wood (ne Margret Ruth Runner), a housewife turned IBM clerk. (1980) --, was of French, German and Austrian descent, raised in a small Texas town and educated at a Catholic high school. His 164 credits include "12 Angry Men," "The Replacements," "While You Were Sleeping," and "Heaven Can Wait." I ran my life a certain way. In 1973, he co-starred as Melvin Purvis in John Milius' Dillinger with Warren Oates; he also appeared in Milius' 1984 film Red Dawn. For decades, Dabney Coleman has often appeared as a smarmy, selfish, nervous person, often with money, who is mostly out for himself. A native of Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA, he joined the US Navy after graduating high school and served in Vietnam from 1968 to 1969. Although he joined the Navy's V-12 program in the hopes of becoming a pilot, his color blindness kept him out of the cockpit. He decided to stick around (the pay was good), and for some years was a stunt man, horse wrangler, and double for such stars as John Wayne, Gary Cooper and James Stewart. Richard Pryor is regarded as one of the most important and controversial stand-up comedians in history, and his talents translated to a career in Hollywood that included films like "Superman III" and "Brewster's Millions." [11] Johnson's body was later transported from Arizona to Pawhuska, Oklahoma, for burial at the Pawhuska City Cemetery. Raised in Dallas, Texas, James Hampton attended John H. Reagan Elementary, N.R. While in school he became interested in acting and Born Charles Callias in Brooklyn, NY on December 20, 1927, he served in the US Army in Germany during World War 2.Originally a drummer, he played with Tommy Dorsey, Claude Thornhill and Buddy Rich. of Great Western Performers of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage He was also a Navy veteran who served during World War II shortly after graduating from high school. Born in 1921, James Whitmore had acting credits dating from the 1940s to the late 2000s. Emmy nominee John Amos has played some of the most iconic characters ever to appear on both the big and small screens, including Kunta Kinte in "Roots," James Evans Sr. in "Good Times," and Cleo McDowell in "Coming to America." The "Ghostbusters" franchise made Ernie Hudson famous, but the Michigan native is by no means a one-trick pony. in numerous European actions. Neon . He was of German, Swiss-German, English, and Irish descent. He was the youngest of four sons in a family that had been in America since the 17th century.His first stint Steve Kanaly was born on March 14, 1946 in Burbank, California, USA. He lived in Lexington, Kentucky and graduated from Lafayette Senior High School with the class of 1944. Kisco, New York, on February 28, 1931, and raised in Pleasantville, he was the son of Margaret (Shea) and George See John Hillerman, who most famously played the impeccably urbane Englishman Jonathan Quayle Higgins III (VC !) Although he died in 2015, Oscar nominee Robert Loggia earned 235 acting credits dating from 19512019, including memorable roles in big-screen blockbusters like "Big" and "Scarface," as well as in acclaimed TV series like "The Sopranos." Morgan was born on June 1, 1937 in Memphis, Tennessee, to Mayme Edna (Revere), a teacher, and Morgan Porterfield Freeman, a barber. At an early age, he started to take dramatic lessons to calm himself down. Francis Benjamin Johnson Jr. (June 13, 1918 - April 8, 1996) was an American film and television actor, stuntman, and world-champion rodeo cowboy. Additionally, he has received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He also starred in Missing in Action (1984) and its sequels, Firewalker (1986) and Sidekicks (1992). Brooklyn-born William Daniels enjoyed a career that spanned Broadway, the big screen and television, earning two Emmys along the way for his role in "St. European theater. Farrell, who played Capt. Afterward, Navy - served during World War II on the USS Cyrene. To publish, simply grab the HTML code or text to the left and paste into You know, I'd say that aside from Mr. Ford's [, [on leaving Oklahoma for Hollywood, where he became a horse wrangler From "Star Wars" to "Field of Dreams," James Earl Jones is among the most recognizable actors in the world. Jun 12, 2018. [3] During shooting, the horses pulling a wagon with three men in it stampeded. Drew Carey had a long career as a comedian before becoming an actor in the early 1990s. He then served as a teletype operator before joining a military entertainment unit. He was previously married to Gwendolyn Mumma Landes. 0. Brooks grew up poor in New York City's Brooklyn borough and enlisted in the Army right out of high school. Also served as a drill instructor. Actor 103 Credits. The senior Johnson was also a cattleman and rancher who was inducted Heritage Museum in 1961. Born on Christmas Day in 1899, Humphrey Bogart grew up to be one of the most revered actors in history. Thomas William Selleck is an American actor and film producer, best known for his starring role as Hawaii-based private investigator "Thomas Magnum" on the 1980s television series, Magnum, P.I. Born in Oklahoma, Ben Johnson was a ranch hand and rodeo performer when, in 1940, Howard Hughes hired him to take a load of horses to California.