18 ρεσρℓε You Didn't Know Were U.S. Marines

Many actors have played Bozo, but Bob Bell was arguably the most popular. Bell put on the blue suit and red wig for WGN in Chicago for almost 25 years. Nearly blind in one eye, Bell managed to enlist in the Marines after graduating from high school by memorizing the eye chart. He was later discharged because of his disability and joined the Navy before embarking on a career in children's television. The gravelly voice he developed for his portrayal of Bozo was the inspiration for Krusty the Clown on The Simpsons

Prior to being Clarabell the Clown on The Howdy Doody Show and then the kindly Captain Kangaroo, Bob Keeshan was a trained killer. An urban legend claiming that he fought alongside actor Lee Marvin on Iwo Jima is false. Keeshan never saw combat because the war was over by the time he was of enlistment age (Lee Marvin was indeed a leatherneck who was wounded during the Battle of Saipan, but was not at Iwo Jima).

Actor/comedian/game show host Drew Carey served 6 years in the United States Marine Corps Reserve. When Time Magazine asked him what events in life made him who he is, Carey replied "the Marine Corps. It instilled a great sense of discipline that I can call on when I need to." Obviously he enjoyed being a jarhead because he has kept his Marine crew cut through most of his stage and TV career.

The Everly Brothers had a string of hit singles including "Bye, Bye Love" and "Wake Up Little Susie" (which was considered a scandalous song in a simpler time) when they enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve. Stationed at Camp Pendleton in 1961-1962, they frequently entertained their company with impromptu concerts. The duo appeared in their dress blue uniforms on The Ed Sullivan Show and performed "Crying in the Rain"

Evangelist Pat Robertson was indeed a Devil Dog who served as an officer during the Korean War. Robertson claims to have been in combat, but several veterans refute his record. They allege that his father, Senator Absalom Robertson, pulled strings to ensure that he never saw action against the enemy and was assigned to a comfortable job in the safety of Japan.

Before carrying a 9-iron as a professional golfer, Lee Trevino carried an M-14 as a Marine. Enlisting in 1957 and serving 4 years, Trevino claims that his superior skills made him such a popular golfing partner among the officers that he was promoted to Lance Corporal.

James Carville put the strategy and tactics he learned during his two year stint in the Marines to effective use as Bill Clinton's campaign manager in 1992. Carville remains a colorful if not controversial political advisor and commentator.

The actor once known as the hardest working man in Hollywood (and certainly seemed to appear in half the films produced between 1970 and 2000), Gene Hackman has quietly retired from acting. Hackman was a Marine field radio operator before launching a film career that including roles as an Admiral (Behind Enemy Lines) and an unhinged submarine Captain (Crimson Tide).

Jamaican-American reggae singer Orville Burrell, a.k.a. Shaggy, served as a Field Artillery Cannon Crewman in the 10th Marines during Operation Desert Storm. It was while leading marching cadences that he developed his vocal talents. Shaggy went on to have international hits such as "Oh Carolina" and "It Wasn't Me." He continues to perform throughout the world.

Montel Williams joined the Marines and went to boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina right after high school. He was groomed for leadership and sent to the Naval Academy Preparatory School and went to the Naval Academy. Williams spent several years aboard submarines and working in the intelligence sphere.

Daily Show Corespondent Rob Riggle served in Kosovo, Liberia and Afghanistan

Rob Riggle is currently a Lieutenant Colonel in the Marine Corps Reserve. He's a public affairs officer with the NYC unit, and has received the Combat Action ribbon.

Harvey Keitel joined the Marines at sixteen and served during Operation Blue Bat in Lebanon in 1958.

Jim Lehrer, the host of The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer and PBS NewsHour, joined the Marine Corps after graduating from the Missouri School of Journalism.

The accused assassin of President John F. Kennedy enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1956 at the age of 17. He was primarily trained as a radar operator and was granted degrees of security clearance. He barely earned the designation of marksman during shooting tests. He received a hardship discharge in 1959.

Steve Wilkos spent nearly a decade in the Marine Corps and spent time in the Chicago Police Department before signing on with Jerry Springer to serve as on-air security. He was given his own show in 2007.

George C. Scott served in the Marines from 1945 to 1949. He would go on to play Patton in the film of the same name and a lead role in Dr. Strangelove, or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb.

Jim Beaver spent time in the Marine Corps as a microwave radio relay technician. He joined in 1968 and remained in the Marines until 1971, staying in the reserves until 1976. He played prospector Whitney Ellsworth to much acclaim on HBO drama Deadwood.

Don Imus served as a bugler in the Marines from 1957 to 1960. He's currently a nationally syndicated morning radio host. He has the Imus Ranch in New Mexico, which benefits children with cancer. united-states-marines-2012-7?op=1#ixzz3Vswy8QRV