14. Mel Brooks
Mel Brooks, whose real name is Melvin Kaminsky, is an American actor, writer, producer, comedian, and director. Brooks career began as a comic and writer for the TV show “Your Show of Shows” before teaming up with Carl Reiner in the comedy skit “The 2000 Year Old Man.” Brooks’ best films include The Producers, Blazing Saddles, Young Frankenstein, Spaceballs, and Robin Hood: Men in Tights.
As a young man, Brooks was drafted into the army and attended the Army Specialized Training Program, which was conducted at the Virginia Military Institute, although Brooks was not an actual VMI cadet. Brooks served as a corporal in the 1104 Engineer Combat Batallion, 78th Infantry Division, defusing land mines during World War II.
Check out which television funny man served in the United States Marines Corps on the next slide!