Character Actors Who Served in World War II

Usually when classic movie actors who served in World War II are discussed, it is big names such as Gene Autry, Clark Gable, and Jimmy Stewart, but the fact is that several character actors also served during World War II. Here is a short list of character actors who served during the war, although there were many, many more.

Eddie Albert: Now best known for Green Acres, Eddie Albert was a genuine war hero. He enlisted in the United States Coast Guard in September 1942. It was in 1943 that that he was discharged from the Coast Guard he could become a lieutenant junior grade in the United States Navy.It was during the Battle of Tarawa that he rescued 47 Marines at incredible risk to his own life, and supervised the rescue of 30 more. The Marines had been pinned down by Japanese gunfire. For his bravery during the Battle of Tarawa Eddie Albert was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat "V". In later years Eddie Albert would be asked about his courageous action during World War II. Rather than talk about himself, Mr. Albert preferred to discuss the courage of the Marines at the Battle of Tarawa and others with whom he served.

Neville Brand: Known for playing heavies, Neville Brand served as a soldier during World War II. It was in October 1939 that he enlisted in the Illinois Army National Guard. It was in March 1941 that he enlisted in the United States Army as a corporal. He was a part of B Company, 331st Infantry Regiment of the 83rd Infantry Division (Thunderbolt Division), serving in both the e Ardennes, Rhineland and Central European campaigns. He was wounded  along the Weser River on April 7, 1945, and very nearly bled to death. He was awarded the Silver Star and discharged in October 1945.

James Doohan: Today James Doohan is best known as Lt. Montgomery "Scotty" Scott, the Chief Engineer on the starship Enterprise, but during World War II he served in the  Royal Canadian Artillery and as part of the 22nd Field Battery of the 3rd Canadian Division was part of a reconnaissance party in the second wave to land at Juno Beach. He lost his right middle finger during the fight, and during his acting career wore a prosthetic. He later graduated from Air Observation Pilot Course 40 and served as an Observation Pilot supporting the 1st Army Group Royal Canadian Artillery.  

Clive Dunn: Clive Dunn is now best known Lance Corporal Jones of the Home Guard on the classic Britcom Dad's Army, but he actually saw action during World War II. At the start of the war, he enlisted in the British Army and served as a trooper in the 4th Queen's Own Hussars. Initially posted with them in the Middle East, he later served with he 1st Armoured Brigade in support of the 6th Australian Infantry Division during the Greek Campaign. In 1941 he fought in an action at the Corinth Canal. Unfortunately, when his unit was overwhelmed by German forces, he was among 400 taken prisoner. He spent the remainder of the war in POW camps in Austria.

Charles Durning: Like James Doohan, Charles Durning also saw combat during D-Day. Having been drafted into the United States Army at age 20, he was among the first wave to land at Omaha Beach. He later took place in the Battle of the Bulge. Charles Durning had a distinguished military career, earning the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, and three Purple Hearts. Even France recognized him for his service in liberating France. He was awarded the National Order of the Legion of Honour in April 2008.

Jerry Fujikawa: Following World War II, Jerry Fujikawa would play Japanese officers in various movies and TV shows, but during the war he served in the United States Army. Sadly, like many Japanese Americans, he was interned at Manzanar at the start of the war. It was while he was at Manzanar that he volunteered for the Army. He served as a messenger in the segregated Japanese American unit, Charlie Company in the 100th Infantry Battalion. He was wounded in combat near Castellina, Italy, on July 9, 1944. He later served in France.

Lee Marvin: Lee Marvin not only played a military man in several movies, but he actually was one during the Second World War. On August 12, 1942, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He served as a quartermaster before completing the School of Infantry, and then served as a scout sniper in the 4th Marine Division in the Pacific Theatre. During the war, he took part in 21 amphibious assaults on various islands. It was during the Battle of Saipan that he was wounded during an assault on  Mount Tapochau. His sciatic nerve was severed by machine gun fire and then he was shot in his foot. He received medical treatment in various Naval hospitals for over a year before receiving an Honourable Discharge. 

Larry Storch: Today Larry Storch may be best remembered as Corporal Randolph Agarn on F Troop, but during World War II he served not in the cavalry, but in the United States Navy. During the war he served aboard the submarine tender Proteus in the Pacific Theatre. Among his shipmates was a fellow named Bernie Schwartz, later to become better known as Tony Curtis. The two would remain friends for the rest of their lives. The crew of the Proteus, along with the submarines of Submarine Squadron 20, witnessed the surrender of Japan aboard the U.S.S. Missouri.

The Late Great Clarence Carter

Clarence Carter, the legendary blues and soul singer and guitarist known for such songs as "Slip Away" and "Back Door Santa," died on May 13, 2026, at the age of 90. 

Clarence Carter was born on January 14, 1936 in Montgomery, Alabama. He listened to the blues records his stepfather bought, and as a result he took an interest in music while still young. He learned to play guitar as a result. He graduated from Alabama State College in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science in music. 

He briefly taught school before beginning his music career. He and his friend Calvin Scott formed a music duo and their single "I Wanna Dance But I Don't Know How" was released under the name "Clarence and Calvin" on the Fairlane label. They signed to Duke Records as The C & C Boys and released four singles there. They recorded "Step By Step," which was released on Atlantic Records. None of their singles saw any success. It was after Calvin Scott was injured in a car accident that Clarence Carter began his solo career. He had his first hit with the single "Tell Daddy," released on the Fame label in 1967. It went to no. 35 on the Billboard R&B chart.

By late 1967, he had signed with Atlantic Records. There he would have a string of hits that lasted into the early Seventies, starting with "Slip Away," which went to no. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and no. 2 on the Billboard R&B chart. It was followed by such hits as "Too Weak to Fight," "Back Door Santa," "Snatching It Back," "Doin' Our Thing," and "Patches." 

Unfortunately, after 1971, Clarence Carter saw fewer successes. He left Atlantic for Fame and then in 1975 signed with ABC Records. It was in 1985 that he signed with Ichiban Records and found new success with his album Dr. C. C. Its single "Strokin'" proved to be a hit in Australia and the UK.He released several more albums, many of which did very well. His final studio album, Sing Along with Clarence Carter, was released in 2011. He continued to release more live albums afterwards. 

Clarence Carter was a true talent, particularly as a composer. His lyrics could be very descriptive, which sometimes ran him into trouble, as in the case of "Strokin'," which considered by many radio stations to be too suggestive. He was also an impressive balladeer, and no one could write or sing about the anguish of love the way he could. In is songs, he often addressed complex romantic situations with sensitivity and intelligence. All of this was aided by impressive baritone voice, which could be extremely emotive. Clarence Carter was a great R&B and soul singer, and possibly one of the most underrated performers in the field.