Hollywood at War: The Actors Who Served

Many moviegoers know that during World War II, many people were called to war, and those working in Hollywood were no exception. Some of the more famous names to appear include the 38th President of the United States, Ronald Reagan, who enlisted in the Army Air Corps but was limited in his duties due to nearsightedness. However, he was recruited to appear in training videos for the AAC, including a documentary about a tail gunner of a B-17 bomber. While Reagan is probably the most well-known actor to have served in the war, there are many others who either started in Hollywood before the war or would go on to become notable actors, and actresses, themselves.



Jimmy Stewart



There are two categories to this tale: one being people who had careers in Hollywood before the war and were either drafted or enlisted voluntarily, and the other being those who would later become famous in Hollywood after their service was completed. There are some big names in the first category, one of the more famous being Jimmy Stewart. Stewart made many films before and after the war; many people will remember "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington", but many more remember him for the Christmas classic "It's a Wonderful Life". After the former and before the latter films, James Stewart's military career almost didn't happen. While he was initially drafted into the US Army, he was too short and too light to qualify. After this, he enlisted the aid of a famous trainer from MGM to help him gain weight so he could get into the Army Air Corps, which eventually succeeded.

From early 1942 to the end of the war, Stewart was moved back and forth from the front to stateside a few times, making a training video here and there. He also worked his way up the ranks, and from starting as a private, Stewart was one of only a handful of Americans to rise to Colonel in only 4 years. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross twice as commander of the 453rd Bombardment Group, ending his wartime career as Chief of Staff of the 2nd Combat Bombardment Wing of the Eighth Air Force. In fact, after the war he stayed in the Air Force Reserve well into the 1960s, eventually gaining the rank of Brigadier General, although this did not hamper his film career.



Clark Gable



 Other notable names in this first category include Clark Gable of "Gone with the Wind" fame. While he was too old to be drafted at wars start, he did enlist into the AAC. He was trained as a rear gunner and in 1943 was requested to film a training film about rear gunners. Although not required, he flew combat missions in order to get the footage he felt was necessary. He was relieved from active duty in 1944 at his own request with the rank of major. Another name of note is Henry Fonda, whose prewar career was limited, but went on after the war to do other great films. His best known prewar film is probably "The Grapes of Wrath", for which he was nominated for Best Actor 1940, but lost to Jimmy Stewart for "The Philadelphia Story".  During the war, Fonda served in the US Navy, earning the Bronze Star for Valor. After the war, Fonda went on to star alongside such names as John Wayne, Audrey Hepburn, and Shirley Temple.



Carroll O'Connor



Besides these characters, there are some notable names in the second category, those whose film careers picked up after the war. Notables in this category include Tony Curtis, who joined the US Navy in 1943 at 17, and witnessed the signing of the Japanese surrender aboard the USS Missouri. Father of Jamie Lee Curtis, he also starred in many films during the so-called Golden Age of film of the 1950s and 60s, including "Some Like It Hot" opposite Marilyn Monroe. Another such name is Burgess Merideth, who joined the USAAC, and is best known for his role as Rocky's trainer in the first three films of the franchise. Also, Carrol O'Connor served in the Merchant Marine in 1942, and went on to star in many films related to World War II after the war, such as "Kelly's Heroes", but he is best known for his role as Archie Bunker from the 1970s TV show "All in the Family".



Don Rickles beside Clint Eastwood
in "Kelly's Heroes"



There are many more famous names who served in the war. Charles Schultz, cartoonist of "Peanuts" since before the war, served in the Army as a staff sergeant and head of a machine gun squad. Rod Serling, host of "the Twilight Zone" among other things, served as an Army paratrooper. Don Rickles, noted comedian and actor, served in the US Navy on a destroyer. Lee Marvin, later starred in "The Dirty Dozen", served as a US Marine and was wounded in the Battle of Saipan. Julia Child served with the OSS in china, the precursor to the modern CIA. Audrey Hepburn, as a child, served as a courier for the Dutch Resistance. Even Mel Brooks served as a combat engineer during the war, clearing away land mines after the Battle of the Bulge.

While there are many more people that fit this bill, they can't all be named in this one article because whole books have been written on the subject of actors and actresses serving in wartime. I believe it just goes to show that wartime is a time which requires everyone to do their part, and these people recognized that. Until next time, take care, and thank you for reading.