Now here's an entry on the list that doesn't surprise us! Laurence Tureaud, who we all know as Mr. T, enlisted in the United States Army and served in the Military Police Corps all the way back in the 70s. He was well respected during his time with the army and was even promoted to squad leader in 1975.
After being granted an honorable discharge, Tureaud didn't immediately turn to acting. He first unsuccessfully tried out for the NFL's Green Bay Packers and then got a job as a bouncer. This is where he created 'Mr. T' and built a reputation that led him to become a bodyguard to celebrities including Muhammad Ali and Diana Ross. It was a chance meeting in 1980 with actor, Sylvester Stallone that saw Mr. T become a celebrity himself.