Sydney Poitier

Served in: U.S. Army
Rank: E-1
Best Known For: In the Heat of the Night, Guess Who’s Coming to Town, To Sir, With Love
Est. Net Worth: $25 million

Oscar-winner Sidney Poitier served in the U.S. Army. He lied about his age in order to be enlisted, and he fought in the Korean War. Poitier has gone on to be one of the most celebrated actors and activists today, with former President Barack Obama awarding him the Medal of Freedom.

Poitier was the first Black actor to win an Oscar. He took home the coveted gold statue for his role in Lilies of the Field, in which he starred as a handyman who helps out a group of nuns that have emigrated from Germany in the racially-divided sixties.