Gay Actors With Military Backgrounds

Many beloved entertainers from the Golden Age of Hollywood and beyond served their countries with distinction before finding fame on the screen. This list highlights talented men who navigated the strict social and military structures of their times while often keeping their personal lives private. These actors traded stage lights for uniforms during major global conflicts like World War I and World War II. Their service records include roles ranging from aircraft mechanics to intelligence officers and frontline combatants. Exploring their military history adds a layer of depth to the performances they later delivered to audiences worldwide.

Rock Hudson

Roy Harold Scherer Jr. adopted the stage name Rock Hudson before becoming one of the biggest movie stars of the 1950s. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1944 during the height of World War II. Hudson served as an aircraft mechanic in the Philippines and achieved the rank of Petty Officer Third Class. He received an honorable discharge in 1946 before moving to Los Angeles to pursue acting. The heartthrob kept his homosexuality a secret throughout his career to maintain his leading man status in films like ‘Giant’ and ‘Pillow Talk’.

Alec Guinness

Sir Alec Guinness is best known to modern audiences for playing Obi-Wan Kenobi in ‘Star Wars’, but he was a Royal Navy officer long before he wielded a lightsaber. He joined the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve in 1941 during the Second World War. Guinness commanded a landing craft during the Allied invasion of Sicily and later ferried supplies to Yugoslav partisans. He survived a shipwreck during a hurricane in the Adriatic Sea. His wartime experiences likely contributed to the gravitas he brought to his later military roles in films such as ‘The Bridge on the River Kwai’.

Dirk Bogarde

This celebrated British actor served in the Queen’s Royal Regiment during World War II. Bogarde worked as an intelligence officer and reached the rank of captain while serving in the European and Pacific theaters. He was one of the first Allied officers to enter the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp after its liberation. The horrors he witnessed there profoundly affected him and influenced his dramatic range in later films. Bogarde eventually became a matinee idol before taking on complex roles in movies like ‘Death in Venice’.

Sherman Hemsley

Sherman Hemsley is iconic for his portrayal of the brash George Jefferson in the sitcom ‘The Jeffersons’. Before his television success, he served in the United States Air Force for four years. Hemsley enlisted after dropping out of high school and served in Japan and South Korea. He worked in administrative duties during his service before returning to civilian life to work for the post office. He studied acting in the evenings while working his day job and eventually broke into theater and television.

John Mahoney

John Mahoney is beloved for playing the gruff but loving father Martin Crane in the sitcom ‘Frasier’. Born in England, he moved to the United States and joined the United States Army to speed up his citizenship process. He served for three years and lost his British accent during his time in the service. Mahoney worked various civilian jobs after his discharge before starting his acting career in his late thirties. He remained a private man throughout his life and left a legacy of incredible character work.

Tab Hunter

Tab Hunter was a premier teen idol of the 1950s known for his blond surfer looks and romantic roles. He lied about his age to join the United States Coast Guard at just fifteen years old. Hunter served for two years before being discharged when his true age was discovered. His military discipline helped him navigate the rigorous demands of the studio system. He later came out publicly and wrote a memoir about his life as a closeted gay star in Hollywood.

Raymond Burr

Raymond Burr gained fame for his commanding presence in the courtroom drama ‘Perry Mason’. He served in the United States Navy during World War II. Burr was stationed in Okinawa and served on a transport ship. He sustained injuries during his service that caused him lifelong physical pain. Although he was married to a woman early in his life, he lived with his male partner for over thirty years until his death.

Rip Taylor

Known as the King of Confetti, Rip Taylor was a flamboyant comedian and actor. He served as a congressional page before enlisting in the United States Army. Taylor was deployed to the Korean War where he served in the Signal Corps. He began performing stand-up comedy for his fellow troops to boost morale. This experience honed the manic and energetic comedic style that became his trademark in show business.

Richard Chamberlain

Richard Chamberlain became the king of the television miniseries with roles in ‘The Thorn Birds’ and ‘Shogun’. He was drafted into the United States Army in 1956 during the Korean War era. Chamberlain served for two years and attained the rank of sergeant. His time in the military occurred just before he landed the title role in ‘Dr. Kildare’ which launched him to stardom. He publicly came out as gay in his 2003 autobiography.

George Nader

George Nader was a handsome leading man who won a Golden Globe for Most Promising Newcomer in 1955. He served in the United States Navy during World War II as a communications officer in the Pacific theater. Nader witnessed action during the Battle of Midway and other significant naval engagements. His acting career in Hollywood was curtailed due to rumors about his sexuality. He eventually moved to Europe with his long-term partner Mark Miller and found success writing science fiction novels.

Cesar Romero

Cesar Romero is famous for playing the Joker in the 1960s ‘Batman’ television series. He enlisted in the United States Coast Guard in 1942 and served in the Pacific theater. Romero worked as a boatswain’s mate and saw action during the invasions of Tinian and Saipan. He returned to Hollywood after the war and resumed his career as a popular character actor and dancer. Romero was a “confirmed bachelor” in Hollywood who lived a private gay life.

Tyrone Power

Tyrone Power was one of the most swashbuckling leading men of the 1930s and 1940s. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1942 despite being at the peak of his career. Power completed flight training and flew cargo missions in the Pacific theater as a transport pilot. He participated in the battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa carrying supplies and wounded marines. Power was bisexual and had relationships with men and women throughout his life.

Farley Granger

Farley Granger is best known for his roles in the Alfred Hitchcock thrillers ‘Rope’ and ‘Strangers on a Train’. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1944 during World War II. Granger was assigned to a support unit in Honolulu where he worked in entertainment and morale boosting. He returned to civilian life and became a star known for playing sensitive and complex young men. Granger was open about his bisexuality in his later memoirs.

Randolph Scott

Randolph Scott was a western icon who appeared in dozens of films portraying stoic cowboys. He served in the United States Army during World War I. Scott enlisted in 1917 and served in France as an artillery observer with the 2nd Trench Mortar Battalion. He learned skills in the military that translated well to the rugged characters he played on screen. He lived with fellow actor Cary Grant for many years in a relationship that has been the subject of much speculation.

Clifton Webb

Clifton Webb was an elegant character actor known for his sharp wit in films like ‘Laura’. He served in the United States Army during World War I. Webb attained the rank of sergeant and served in the 107th Infantry Regiment. His sophisticated screen persona contrasted with the gritty reality of trench warfare he experienced. Webb lived openly with his mother for most of his life and was a well-known figure in the gay social circles of Hollywood.

Frankie Howerd

Frankie Howerd was a legendary British comedian and actor known for his stuttering delivery and suggestive humor. He served in the British Army during World War II as a gunner. Howerd eventually joined the Entertainment National Service Association to perform for troops. He attained the rank of sergeant and his wartime service helped him refine the comedy routines that made him famous. Howerd lived with his partner Dennis Heymer for nearly forty years.

Kenneth Williams

Kenneth Williams was a central figure in the ‘Carry On’ film franchise. He was drafted into the British Army in 1944. Williams served in the Royal Engineers as a sapper and worked as a draftsman in Singapore and Ceylon. His experiences in the military were often unhappy but provided material for his later comedic diaries and performances. He was a brilliant raconteur who kept his personal life very private.

Charles Hawtrey

Charles Hawtrey was another staple of the ‘Carry On’ films known for his slight frame and bespectacled look. He served in the British Army during World War II. Hawtrey rose to the rank of lieutenant but was reportedly unpopular with his subordinates due to his eccentric behavior. He often played characters who were authoritative yet ineffectual. Hawtrey was known in the industry for his flamboyance and difficult temperament.

Frank Williams

Frank Williams is best remembered for playing the vicar in the classic sitcom ‘Dad’s Army’. He served in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps just after the end of World War II. Williams was stationed in the Middle East and organized entertainment for the troops. His role in ‘Dad’s Army’ capitalized on his ability to play fussy and well-meaning clerical types. He wrote about his life as a gay Christian in his autobiography.

Michael Redgrave

Sir Michael Redgrave was a titan of the British stage and screen. He joined the Royal Navy in 1941 as an ordinary seaman. Redgrave was eventually discharged on medical grounds due to an injury but remained committed to the war effort. He was the father of the acting dynasty that includes Vanessa and Lynn Redgrave. Michael Redgrave was bisexual and maintained relationships with men throughout his marriage.

Ivor Novello

Ivor Novello was one of the most popular British entertainers of the early 20th century. He served in the Royal Naval Air Service during World War I. Novello worked in administrative roles and wrote the patriotic anthem ‘Keep the Home Fires Burning’ which became a major wartime hit. His military service was brief but his contribution to morale was significant. Novello was a matinee idol who lived openly with his partner Bobbie Andrews.

James Whale

James Whale was the visionary director behind ‘Frankenstein’ and ‘The Invisible Man’ who began his career as an actor. He served as a second lieutenant in the British Army during World War I. Whale was captured by the Germans in 1917 and spent the rest of the war in a prisoner-of-war camp. He discovered his talent for directing and stage design while organizing theatrical productions for fellow prisoners. His experiences in the trenches influenced the anti-war themes in his later work.

Gore Vidal

Gore Vidal was a prolific writer and commentator who also acted in films like ‘Gattaca’. He enlisted in the United States Army shortly after graduating from high school in 1943. Vidal served as a maritime warrant officer in the Aleutian Islands. His first novel ‘Williwaw’ was based on his experiences commanding a freight supply ship. Vidal was a controversial figure who spoke openly about sexuality and politics.

Hayden Rorke

Hayden Rorke is best known for playing Colonel Bellows in the sitcom ‘I Dream of Jeannie’. He enlisted in the United States Army during World War II. Rorke served in the European theater and was involved in theatrical productions for the troops. He often played officers and authority figures in his film and television career. Rorke lived with his partner Justus Addiss for many years.

Richard Deacon

Richard Deacon played the pompous Mel Cooley on ‘The Dick Van Dyke Show’. He served in the United States Army during World War II. Deacon was a medic and saw the grim realities of combat while treating wounded soldiers. He later joined the Army Air Corps before returning to civilian life to pursue acting. He was a highly recognizable character actor who was gay but private.

Franklin Pangborn

Franklin Pangborn was a comedic character actor famous for playing flustered hotel managers and bank tellers. He served in the United States Army during World War I. Pangborn saw action in France and was part of the 312th Infantry. His nervous on-screen energy was a stark contrast to his service in the infantry. He was a fixture in the comedies of Preston Sturges and W.C. Fields.

Ernest Thesiger

Ernest Thesiger was a distinctive British character actor known for ‘The Bride of Frankenstein’. He enlisted in the British Army at the outbreak of World War I. Thesiger served with the Queen Victoria’s Rifles and was wounded in the trenches. He made no secret of his pacifist views and eccentric hobbies like embroidery while at the front. His performance as Dr. Pretorius remains an iconic piece of camp cinema.

Peter Bull

Peter Bull was a British character actor who played the Russian ambassador in ‘Dr. Strangelove’. He served as a commander in the Royal Navy during World War II. Bull commanded a landing craft during the D-Day invasion of Normandy. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his bravery in action. Bull was also an author who wrote openly about his life and experiences.

Robert Flemyng

Robert Flemyng was a respected stage and screen actor who appeared in ‘Funny Face’. He served in the Royal Army Medical Corps during World War II. Flemyng reached the rank of colonel and was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry. He saved many lives while serving in the field during combat operations. His military career was as distinguished as his theatrical one.

Billy De Wolfe

Billy De Wolfe was a comedic actor known for his mustache and busybody characters. He served in the United States Navy during World War II. De Wolfe worked in entertainment units and amused sailors with his impressions and routines. He appeared in many musicals and comedies after the war including ‘Tea for Two’. He was a close friend of Doris Day and never married.

Douglass Montgomery

Douglass Montgomery was an American actor who starred in films like ‘Little Women’. He enlisted in the Canadian Army during World War II because the United States had not yet entered the war. Montgomery served for several years before returning to Hollywood. He struggled to regain his leading man status after his service. He lived with his partner Kenneth Baggott for the rest of his life.

Jean Marais

Jean Marais was a French cinema legend and the muse of director Jean Cocteau. He served in the French Army during World War II. Marais drove an ambulance and later joined the 2nd Armored Division. He received the Croix de Guerre for his bravery during the liberation of France. Marais was one of the few openly gay actors of his generation and a national hero in France.

Danny La Rue

Danny La Rue was a famous entertainer known for his drag performances. He served in the Royal Navy during World War II. La Rue was a crew member on a repair ship in the Pacific and participated in concert parties. His talent for female impersonation was discovered during these navy shows. He became one of the highest-paid entertainers in Britain after the war.

William Haines

William Haines was the number one box office star in America in 1930. He served in the United States Army during World War II after his acting career had already ended. Haines was a member of the 105mm Howitzer crew and received a Bronze Star for his service. He had been fired by MGM years earlier for refusing to end his relationship with his partner Jimmie Shields. Haines later became a highly successful interior designer.

George Maharis

George Maharis rose to fame as the cool drifter Buz Murdock in the television series ‘Route 66’. He served in the United States Marine Corps for eighteen months. Maharis joined the Marines before finishing high school and his service helped him develop a tough persona. He later became a teen idol and recording artist. Maharis was arrested in a sting operation in the 1970s which effectively outed him.

Nick Adams

Nick Adams was a close friend of James Dean and Elvis Presley who appeared in ‘Rebel Without a Cause’. He enlisted in the United States Coast Guard in 1952 during the Korean War. Adams served on a cutter ship and attained the rank of Petty Officer Second Class. He claimed that his military service was a way to avoid the pitfalls of Hollywood life. Adams’ sexuality was a subject of much discussion in the industry.

Arthur Treacher

Arthur Treacher is the archetype of the proper English butler in film. He served in the British Army during World War I. Treacher was a veteran of the trenches and survived the brutal conditions of the Western Front. He used his height and patrician voice to great comedic effect in films starring Shirley Temple. He later became a well-known television sidekick on the Merv Griffin Show.

Denholm Elliott

Denholm Elliott was a beloved character actor who played Marcus Brody in the ‘Indiana Jones’ films. He served in the Royal Air Force during World War II as a radio operator and gunner. His plane was shot down over Germany and he spent the rest of the war in a prisoner-of-war camp. Elliott organized theater groups within the camp to keep morale high. He was bisexual and lived a colorful life in the arts until his death.

Laurence Olivier

Laurence Olivier is often cited as the greatest actor of the 20th century. He served in the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Navy during World War II. Olivier qualified as a pilot but was primarily used for morale-boosting missions and entertainment. He eventually rose to the rank of lieutenant before being released to film ‘Henry V’. Olivier had relationships with both men and women during his lifetime.

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