Lee Marvin
Marvin left this world in 1987, but before that time he built a career out of playing tough characters. His most famous role was on the NBC series, M Squad. Before all that, Marvin was U.S. Marine Corps badass. He enlisted at age 18, in 1942, serving with the 4th Marine Division in World War II. He took two bullets during the assault on Mount Tapochau in the Battle of Saipan. The Marines discharged him for medical reasons after that incident in 1945.
Charles Bronson
Charlie Bronson made his reputation in Hollywood for being a badass on screen. For some actors, that’s all acting chops. Bronson was a badass in real life too. He’d worked in the mining industry since he was ten years old after his father passed away. He started in the office, then moved into the mines when he was old enough. During World War II he enlisted in the Army, serving as a gunner in the war. He flew 25 missions during the war, even earning a purple heart before leaving the service in 1946.