Frequently, actors are perceived as individuals residing in a distinct and exclusive realm, detached from the experiences of ordinary people. Nevertheless, significant events and calamities have the ability to ground them back to reality, and few events carry more significance than a war. Hence, today we delve into the lives of ten actors who actively participated in World War II.
Desmond Llewelyn
The name Desmond Llewelyn might only be recognizable to James Bond fans who will know him as the iconic Q, the head of the research and development team that always provided Bond with the cool toys and gadgets he used on every mission. Llewelyn played the role for almost 40 years, appearing in 17 Bond movies, more than any other actor in the franchise. And yet, his acting career was almost snuffed out in its infancy thanks to World War II.
James Arness
The name James Arness may not instantly ring a bell for many, fans of Westerns will undoubtedly recall his portrayal of Marshal Matt Dillon in the long-running series Gunsmoke. Arness impeccably embodied the character for an impressive two decades, spanning over 600 episodes. However, prior to his acting success, James Arness demonstrated exceptional valour as a soldier, earning him prestigious accolades such as the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, and several others for his courageous contributions during the Battle of Anzio
Lenny Bruce
Before the stand-up comedian was ushering in the counterculture era and taking part in landmark obscenity laws, he was a seaman aboard the USS Brooklyn warship during World War II. Lenny Bruce joined the US Navy when he was only 16 and saw action in Northern Africa and Italy, taking part in four overseas invasions. Then, in 1945, Bruce decided that he’d had enough of the Navy, so he pretended to be gay to receive a discharge.
Charles Bronson
Charles Bronson became famous for his roles portraying a no-nonsense quiet tough guy, and it seems that this was simply a case of art imitating life. Growing up dirt poor in Pennsylvania in a large family of Lithuanian immigrants, Bronson had to work in the coal mines as a teenager to help support his family after his father’s death.
Don Adams
Donald James Yarmy became better known professionally as Don Adams, a TV actor with a 50-year career which included his most famous role, that of bumbling secret agent Maxwell Smart in the sitcom Get Smart. But before all of that, Adams had a very close call with death while serving in World War II. When the war broke out, Adams was still in high school, so he dropped out and joined the Marines.
