When you think of celebrities who have also served in the U.S. military, your mind probably goes to folks like Elvis Presley and Jackie Robinson. But you’d be shocked to know just how many of our beloved Black celebrities lived a past life of service. In celebration of Veterans Day, here’s 13 celebrities you more than likely had no clue were veterans… And their military journey might just surprise you big time.
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Sinbad
It was during Sinbad’s time in the Air Force that he discovered his passion for making people laugh. He enrolled in 1979, according to Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs. He also worked as a comic for “Tops in Blue,” a touring performance ensemble of active-duty men. Sinbad eventually won the “Star Search” competition, and with that, his military career came to a close.
Sherman Hemsley
Sherman Hemsley served in the Air Force for four years after he dropped out of high school. He was stationed in Japan and Korea before returning to the States, where he started acting classes at night, Air Force records show. Eventually, he landed the iconic role as George Jefferson in the sitcom, “The Jeffersons.” Hemsley was buried with military honors in El Paso, Texas
MC Hammer
After dropping out of college, MC Hammer enrolled in the Navy, according to military.com. He spent a total of three years as an aviation storekeeper third class. At the end of his service Hammer went on to change the hip-hop world.
Jimi Hendrix
After another run-in with the law, a young James Marshall Hendrix was given a choice: serve two years in prison or join the Army. On May 31, 1961, Hendrix enlisted, being assigned to the 101st Airborne Division in Fort Campbell, Ky., according to military.com. He only served one year, but during this time, he honed in on his guitar skills, preparing him to become one of the greatest musicians of all time.
Mr. T
Mr. T joined the National Guard right after the Vietnam War, military.com reported. He quickly made a name for himself as Pvt. Mr. T, earning a letter of recommendation from his drill sergeant and joining the Military Police corps as a squad leader. Legend has it, a platoon sergeant once ordered Mr. T to chop down trees as punishment, but he never said how many. Mr. T allegedly chopped down 70 trees in 3.5 hours before he was ordered to stop.
Montel Williams
Montel Williams enlisted in the Marines right after he graduated from high school in 1974, military.com reported. He was eventually recommended for and accepted into the Naval Academy. After being honorably discharged from the Marines, Williams enlisted in the Navy. That’s when he would first start shaving his head. In 1980, he became the first Black Marine to complete and graduate the Academy Prep School and Annapolis.
Sidney Poitier
Sidney Poitier struggled to find work as a young boy living in New York, so he lied about his age and enlisted in the Army. He served as a medical attendant at a mental hospital in New York. After less than a year of service, Poitier put his acting skills to the test in order to get out of the military.
Harry Belafonte
Harry Belafonte joined the Navy in 1944, hoping to serve in World War II. He ended up not going overseas, but his benefits allowed him to continue his education at The New School. From there he started studying acting and performing with the American Negro Theater. Belafonte was honorably discharged in Dec. 1945, just months after the war ended in September, according to Veteran Tributes.
Berry Gordy Jr.
After dropping out of high school and failing to make it as a professional boxer, Berry Gordy Jr. decided to join the Army. At the time, the country was entangled in the Korean War (Jun 1950 to Jul 1953). Gordy served in Korea until he was discharged in 1953, according to the Detroit Historical Society.
Richard Pryor
When comedian Richard Pryor joined the Army in 1959, he couldn’t have imagined he wouldn’t last a year. But according to military.com, Pryor’s repeated behavior issues wouldn’t allow him to stay.
Marvin Gaye
In 1956, Marvin Gaye dropped out of high school at age 17 and enlisted in the Air Force. His superiors reported that Gaye was “uncooperative and lackadaisical,” according to his bio in Medic in the Green Time. A military chaplain stated he “has no future value to the Air Force.” Gaye eventually faked a mental illness and was given a general discharge in 1957.
Sheryl Underwood
Sheryl Underwood graduated from high school and enlisted in the Air Force as a field medic in 1981. She spent time in Germany and South Korea, according to the Department of War.
James Earl Jones
In 1953, James Earl Jones was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army, the Department of War reported. He was assigned to Headquarters Company, where his first and only assignment was to help form training services in Colorado. After that, Jones received an honorable discharge as a first lieutenant and moved to New York City.
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