Ha! Madeline Kahn. Rest in peace  also

It was my understanding that there was a bounty placed on Clark Gable's head by Hitler (or at least by his henchmen).

Also, for the life of me, I can't picture Mel Brooks serving in combat during the Battle of the Bulge.  Apparently, however, it's twue!  It's twue!.

Eric

Adolf must have been steaming over the 3 Stooges 1943 short called Back from the Front where they play Hitler, Goering and Gobbels. The Horwitz boys and Louis Feinberg had a blast playing the part.

BlackSheepTwoOneFour

I agree, If I'm not mistaken, wasn't Hitler obsessed over getting Clark Gable kidnapped at one point during the war?

I also heard a rumor that Charlie Chaplain was also a target by Hitler.  When Hitler saw Chaplains movie "The Great Dictator" (which was panned in it's time but has become a classic!) he became so enraged he supposedly wanted him kidnapped or killed.

Brian

I agree, If I'm not mistaken, wasn't Hitler obsessed over getting Clark Gable kidnapped at one point during the war?

plasticjunkie

 Even Werner Klemperer served in the US Army in WWII. See more here: www.wonderfulworldofimages.com/.../wwii-movie-stars.html

I read Robert Clary's autobiography and was amazed to learn that so many of the actors who played Germans on Hogans Heroes were actually holocaust survivors.  Klemperer was one of the lucky ones because his parents had enough money to get the whole family out of Germany before the really bad stuff started to happen to the Jews.  When they first approached Klemperer to play the Klink character he said he would under the condition that the writers would always make the Germans look goofy or always getting the short end of the stick.  It was a pretty interesting book about the whole situation and the show!

Brian

Yes there are a few omissions in there

I'm very surprised that Desi Arnaz was not listed on the site I posted. He enlisted in the US Army but did not see combat. None the less, he did his patriotic part. Also Cesar Romero was not listed. He served in the US coast Guard and saw action at Tinian and Saipan.

Yes, that link was full of good info of Mickey's compatriots and thier service related to WWII. Some that I was aware of, some that was new to me. They too are passing rapidly into history that many of them took part in.

Thanks for posting this SP, always liked Rooney but unfortunately haven't seen many of his films- I'm going to have to remedy that!

Good collection of actors, actresses, and others who were vets- if I may drop in two more?

Jack Palace got his unique look after he was pulled out of a medium bomber (I forget if it was B-25 or B-26) with severe burns and had to have plastic surgery on his face.

In the commentary track to the 'Lord of the Rings' movies (been awhile so I hope I got my facts straight here) Peter Jackson talks about a cut scene where Christopher Lee's character of Saruman gets stabbed in the back. Apparently Lee took Jackson aside before the filming and gave him advice on the scene- that as a member of the British special forces in the Second World War I know exactly what a man does when you stab him in the back...    

plasticjunkie

just about all the movie stars and future stars served in WWII.  Brian Keith was a US  Marine air gunner. Deforest Kelley was in the Air Corps in WWII. Gene Kelly was in the Navy, so was Ernest Borgnine who was a Gunner's mate. George Kennedy was in the US Army and served under Patton. Even Werner Klemperer served in the US Army in WWII. See more here: www.wonderfulworldofimages.com/.../wwii-movie-stars.html

GMorrison

stikpusher

Thats right, Doohan actually was in the assault landing on June 6th. I want to say at Juno Beach. He based his Mr Scott accent off of somebody that he served with.

Mr. Doohan was missing part of a finger after D-Day.................a German MG put a bullet in his leg and shot off the finger, IIRC

Yup, a whole different breed today. I can only think of a handful of postwar entertainers who served in any capacity, and only one who has been to war. And AFIK, he has not done any on screen work in years.

Remember though- the entertainment industry has shifted its market to kids, funded by their parents.

More to the point though, there's so darn much money coming to those who succeed that they dont seem to be able to see beyond the ends of their noses.

Where you do get more veterans is in the community service organizations, including interestingly the priesthood, from where I  interact with them in my own social efforts like Saint V de P.

All that really matters is service, not fame.

Frankly someone like Lohan or Beiber could use a little structure.

And...thank the Lord we generally live in a time of peace.

Interesting point CC.

And how many of TODAY'S popular entertainers have served in any capacity at all in defending our country?  I can't think of any one.  (A pro football player, who left the NFL and gave his life, comes to mind, but that's all.)

just about all the movie stars and future stars served in WWII.  Brian Keith was a US  Marine air gunner. Deforest Kelley was in the Air Corps in WWII. Gene Kelly was in the Navy, so was Ernest Borgnine who was a Gunner's mate. George Kennedy was in the US Army and served under Patton. Even Werner Klemperer served in the US Army in WWII. See more here: www.wonderfulworldofimages.com/.../wwii-movie-stars.html

Oh yes, Aldo Ray was a UDT Frogman who was at Okinawa or Iwo Jima. Talk about a real life tough guy.

stikpusher

Thats right, Doohan actually was in the assault landing on June 6th. I want to say at Juno Beach. He based his Mr Scott accent off of somebody that he served with.

Sadly, Mickey's personal life was a bit messed up.  He had eight wives and divorces, one of them was Ava Gardner.  But he was a heck of an actor whom I always enjoyed watching.

GMorrison

Indeed no disrespect intended.

Not at all my friend. I love his music. And I know that there is a back story there as well.

Tony Bennett

Didn't see combat but who can forget Bob Hope and Glenn Miller

Indeed no disrespect intended.

Long enough to get his wings ;-)

Jimi Hendrix was in the 101st...

for about ten minutes.

Thats right, Doohan actually was in the assault landing on June 6th. I want to say at Juno Beach. He based his Mr Scott accent off of somebody that he served with.

Charles Durning was another WWII vet, who fought in the Bulge.

Don Adams was a Marine who fought on Guadalcanal, was wounded, contracted blackwater fever and almost died in the hospital.

James Doohan was wounded at Normandy- lost a finger on his hand which was always out of the shot in Star Trek. Future people are perfect after all.

Gene Roddenberry was a pilot.

What floored me was when I found out just a couple of days ago that Normal Fell was a tail gunner in the Pacific.  I grew up watching him as "Mr'. Roper" from "Three's Company".

I'd love to see a picture of him and Charles Bronson in their gear standing next to their respective bombers.  I know Bronson was in B-29s and I think Fell was in B-25s.

Eric