Newt Gingrich
As a child, Newt Gingrich spent time in both France and Germany due to his father’s career as a military officer. He himself received deferments for being a student and then for being a father but later said that he wishes he’d gone to war anyway. His studies led to his first career as a history professor, before he went on to Congress. While there, he was eventually named Time’s Man of the Year for being one of the key players in the Republican takeover of the House in 1994, and he would go on to run for the Republican nomination in 2012.
Michael J. Fox
As the son of a member of the Canadian Armed Forces, Michael J. Fox spent his childhood bouncing around various regions of Canada. When his father retired in 1971, the family settled in a suburb of Vancouver, which gave Michael the opportunity to star in the Canadian TV series “Leo and Me.” At eighteen, Fox moved to LA to further his career and began taking numerous roles in both film and television. However, he truly became famous for his roles as Alex Keaton on “Family Ties” and Marty McFly in the “Back to the Future” series.
Tilda Swinton
Tilda Swinton’s father is a retired major general in the British Army who served in World War Two and was knighted for his service. Her family is also one of only three in England which can trace their land ownership back to before the Norman Conquest in 1066. With such a pedigree, it’s no wonder that Swinton is well-known for her poise and charisma, playing roles from the White Witch in “Chronicles of Narnia” to the Ancient One in “Doctor Strange.”
Jim Morrison
Frontman of the Doors, Jim Morrison was the son of a retired Rear Admiral in the U.S. Navy. His father commanded the US forces involved in the Gulf of Tonkin incident, which precipitated the Vietnam War. Jim was raised all over the country, first in San Diego before making it through third grade in Virginia, then going to school in Texas and New Mexico before finally finishing up sixth grade in California again. By high school graduation, he was back in Virginia. Eventually, Morrison attended UCLA, where he would write many of his lyrics.
Shaquille O’Neal
Shaq was raised by his mother and stepfather, a career sergeant in the Army. While they primarily lived in Newark, New Jersey, his stepfather’s career took them to Germany for a time before Shaq attended high school in Texas. While there, O’Neal’s basketball team went 68-1 in two years, and he set a record for rebounds that still stands today. Shaq went on to play for LSU before being drafted by the Orlando Magic as the first overall pick.