Here is a selection of famous actors who have served in the Marine Corps and were Marines or served in the Navy in the submarine, surface and coastal defense forces. Most of them in the photos from the service look the same as the heroes they played. The list includes not only domestic celebrities of the Soviet and Russian cinema, but also Hollywood stars. Most of them served in the United States Marine Corps in the postwar years.
Alexey Kravchenko
- "9th company", "Lord Golovlevs", "Painted bird"
After graduating from vocational school, Alexey was drafted into military service and assigned to a diving school. Then he served in the Navy in Vladivostok for three years. During demobilization he had the rank of chief ship sergeant. He entered acting courses and later was admitted to the E. Vakhtangov Theater. Since 2007 he has been working at the Moscow Art Theater on a permanent basis. In 2020 he was awarded the title of People's Artist of the Russian Federation.
Vladimir Vdovichenkov
- "Boomer", "Time to collect stones", "Once in Rostov"
During his school years, the actor entered the Tallinn Maritime School, but did not pass the exams. After graduation, he went to Kronstadt, where he entered a nautical school, specializing in boiler room driver. On distribution, he got to serve in Murmansk in the auxiliary fleet of the Navy. Fed up with sea romance, after 4 years he retired from the fleet and took up acting. In 2012 he received the title of "Honored Artist of Russia".
Nikita Mikhalkov
- "Burnt by the Sun", "At home among strangers, a stranger among friends", "The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson: The Hound of the Baskervilles"
The Russian director and actor, at the age of 27, volunteered for military service. Refusing the available armor for service in a unit near Moscow, he asked to go to the Far East. He served in Kamchatka aboard the Pacific Fleet cruiser Mikhail Kutuzov. He took an active part in amateur performances. At the end of the service he returned to the cinema as an actor and director. In 1984 he was awarded the title of People's Artist of the RSFSR.
Vasily Shukshin
- "Two Fedora", "Kalina red", "Stove-benches"
In 1949, the future famous Soviet director went to serve as a sailor in the Baltic Fleet. Later he was transferred to the Black Sea Fleet as a radio operator. In 1953 he was discharged from service and entered the directing department of VGIK. Three years later he got his first role in a movie - he played an unnamed sailor in the film "Quiet Don". In his first leading role, Shukshin starred in the film "Two Fyodors". In 1969 he was awarded the title of "Honored Artist of the RSFSR".
Vladimir Goryansky
- "Evenings on a Farm near Dikanka", "Birthday of the Bourgeois", "Hunting for a Werewolf"
Vladimir is actively involved in Russian and Ukrainian cinema. He gained fame after the release of the series "Birthday of the Bourgeois". In his youth, he served in Sevastopol in the theater of the Black Sea Fleet, where he was drafted after graduation from the Dnepropetrovsk theater school. From 1989 to the present time he is a member of the staff of the Kiev Drama and Comedy Theater on the left bank of the Dnieper. Awarded the title "People's Artist of Ukraine" in 2008.
Evgeny Grishkovets
- "Azazel", "Not by bread alone", "An ordinary woman"
Russian film actor and theater director in 1984 entered the Faculty of Philology of Kemerovo State University. He was drafted into military service from the second year. In the rank of a sailor he served in the Pacific Fleet. After the service he devoted himself to theatrical activities. For the solo performance "How I ate a dog" he was awarded the military rank "Sergeant Major of the 2nd article" with the wording "for the propaganda of the Russian fleet."
Igor Lifanov
- “Streets of Broken Lanterns”, “Gangster Petersburg. Baron "," Russian special forces "
After leaving school in Nikolaev, he was drafted into the army. Served in the Navy in the Far East. After demobilization, he entered the Leningrad State Institute of Theater, Music and Cinematography. For a long time he was on the staff of the G. A. Tovstonogov Theater. He starred in almost 100 films. Most of his heroes are officers, special forces, employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations and investigators.
Alexander Dyachenko
- Ashes, Demons, Brother 2
Many fans of Russian cinema will remember Alexander for his role in the film "Brother 2", where he played the twin brothers - hockey player Gromov and his brother. He got his role thanks to his passion for hockey, which he has been doing since childhood. After school he entered the Leningrad Electrotechnical Institute at the faculty of ship electrical and radio engineering and automation. Having defended his diploma, he was drafted into the army, served in the Baltic Fleet.
Alexander Dedyushko
- "Operational pseudonym", "Driver for Vera", "Brigade"
Alexander is well known to many fans of gangster TV series about the life of the 90s. After school he was drafted into the army and served in the Baltic Fleet for three years. He served on the cable-laying machine "Donetsk". After demobilization, he entered the Nizhny Novgorod Theater School. Upon graduation, he was admitted to the Vladimir Drama Theater. In 1995 he moved to Moscow and began to receive his first film roles.
Ivan Krasko
- "Baltic Sky", "Anchor Square", "The End of the Taiga Emperor"
The famous Soviet and Russian actor graduated with honors from the 1st Baltic Higher Naval School in 1953. By assignment, he entered the service in the Danube River Flotilla. He rose to the rank of commander of a landing ship. Having entered civilian life, he graduated from the Leningrad Theater Institute named after A.N. Ostrovsky and began work at the Bolshoi Drama Theater. In 1992 he was awarded the title of People's Artist of the Russian Federation.
Semyon Farada
- "Formula of Love", "Sorcerers", "The Man from Boulevard des Capuchins"
In his youth, Semyon was engaged in the school drama club. After leaving school, he entered the Bauman Institute. In the fourth year he was called up for military service, served 4 years in the Baltic Fleet. Having tried many professions, he appeared on television in the "ABVGDeyka" program, where he played the sad clown Senya. This made him popular. Later he was recruited to the Moscow Drama and Comedy Theater on Taganka, where he worked for 30 years.
Adam Driver
- Star Wars: Skywalker. Sunrise "," Black Klansman "," Marriage Story "
Adam opens a selection of Hollywood actors who have served in the Marine Corps and have been Marines. Looking at his photo, you immediately recognize Ben Solo - one of the main characters in the Star Wars saga. Included on our list for service in the US Marine Corps (about 2.5 years). The motive that prompted Adam to enlist in the army was the terrorist act of September 11, 2001.
Gene Hackman
- French Messenger, Mississippi on Fire, The Quick and the Dead
The Hollywood star, two-time Oscar winner, left home at the age of 16. After crediting himself with a couple of years, Gene enrolled in the United States Marine Corps. The duty station took place in China and Japan. After 4 years, he was demobilized and used the right to get a higher education free of charge. In parallel with his studies, he began to take part in Broadway plays. And in 1964 he got his first small film role. In 1992 he received his first Oscar for the lead role in the film "The French Messenger".
Rob Riggle
- Dumb Dumber 2, Bachelor Party in Vegas, Macho and Nerd
Rob is a famous foreign actor and comedian. In 1990 he joined the United States Marine Corps. For 9 years of service, he visited several hot spots of the planet. After demobilization with the rank of lieutenant colonel, he decided to start an acting career. Graduated from the University of Kansas with a BA in Theater and Film. He has starred in over 100 films in a variety of roles.
Steve McQueen
- The Thomas Crown Affair, The Magnificent Seven, Wanted Dead or Alive
American film actor, auto and motorcycle racer entered the United States Marine Corps in 1947. In the rank of private first class, he was assigned to service on a warship. During exercises in the Arctic, he saved 5 comrades who were trapped in ice. Subsequently, he was appointed an honorary guard on Harry Truman's presidential yacht. After demobilization, McQueen became interested in acting and starred in more than 40 Hollywood films.
Beatrice Arthur
- "Such a Woman", "Mod", "Golden Girls"
The only actress in our selection to serve in the U.S. Marine Corps Women's Reserve from 1943 to 1945. Beatrice's acting career began with participation in productions of the Broadway theater troupe. In the early 1970s, she got on television and got a role in the television series "Mod". For her role played, Beatrice has been nominated for an Emmy many times. After 7 years from the start of the show, she became its owner.
Kirk Douglas
- "Cactus Jack", "Tough Guys", "Tales from the Crypt"
Kirk Douglas is the father of the equally famous Michael Douglas. The future actor was born in 1910 into a family of Russian emigrants. With the outbreak of World War II, Kirk Douglas volunteered to serve in one of the communications units of the US Pacific Fleet. In November 1943, after being wounded, he was discharged and returned to the United States. After moving to New York, he actively took up an acting career. He became the owner of the Oscar statuette in 1996.
Drew Carey
- "Marine Police: Special Department", "Family Guy", "Grace on Fire"
The famous American comedian served in the Marine Corps Reserve from 1980 to 1986. During the service, he began performing in stand-up comedies, which eventually led him to minor television roles. Finally, he was given the lead role in his own sitcom The Drew Carey Show (1995-2004). Drew played the role of a manager at a department store. In total, he starred in more than 36 full-length films.
George C. Scot
- Jen Eyre, Billiard Player, Patton
The first American actor to refuse an Academy Award and return the statuette to the organizers of the ceremony in 1971. He was awarded her for Best Actor. George S. Scott served in the Marine Corps from 1945 to 1949. Viewers will remember the role of General Patton in the film of the same name. He also starred in Doctor Strangelove or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Atomic Bomb.
Jim Beaver
- "Deadwood", "Supernatural", "Justice"
American actor Jim Beaver served in the Marine Corps as a radio relay technician. He joined the Marine Corps in 1968 and remained in military service until 1971. First he served at Camp Pendleton, then in South Vietnam. Resigned as a corporal. During his acting career, he was shortlisted for an Emmy in 2013. But later the nomination was canceled.
Harvey Keitel
- "Pulp Fiction", "Reservoir Dogs", "From Dusk Till Dawn"
Closing the selection of American actors who served in the Marine Corps and were Marines, the famous actor and producer Harvey Keitel. Viewers will recognize him from his photo as Mr. White from Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs. Included on our list for service in the Marines in Lebanon from 1956 to 1959. During this period, he was encouraged several times and was awarded the Expeditionary Armed Forces medal.