30 Famous People You Didn’t Know Served In The Military

#23 Bob Ross

The humble, soft-spoken television artist served with the US air force for over twenty years before he became a mainstream media personality.

For a person who is known for his enchanting voice, bushy facial hair, and the demeanour of a benevolent priest, it’s hard to imagine that Ross served as a drill sergeant in the air force. He confessed that he used to bark orders at his juniors, make them do tough jobs like washing toilets and punishing them for being late on the field.

He discovered his love for painting during his time in the air force and eventually found that he could earn more by selling his artwork. He then took painting full time until his death in 1995.