7. Bea Arthur
Before Bea Arthur graced television screens as a beloved actress, she served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. Enlisting as one of the first members of the Women’s Reserve, Arthur worked as a typist and truck driver, rising to the rank of Staff Sergeant. Her time in the Marines instilled a sense of discipline and confidence that would inform her later roles. Arthur’s transition to acting brought her fame with iconic roles in Maude and The Golden Girls, where her sharp wit and commanding presence made her a trailblazer in the entertainment industry.
