There is plenty of hype surrounding the upcoming release of "Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens." Yet, many people do not realize that one of the stars of the will-be-blockbuster is a former servicemember.
Adam Driver, who is credited on IMDB as Kylo Ren in the new film, once served in the Marine Corps. Driver told Rolling Stone that he had not considered going into the military until his stepfather convinced him it was a way out of small town life in Mishawaka, Indiana.
"I was having an argument with my stepfather, and he was like, 'Why don't you join the Marine Corps?'' Driver told Rolling Stone. "And I was like, 'Noooo! Well, maybe, actually.'"
According to Fox 411, Driver enlisted after 9/11 and spent two years and eight months as a Marine Lance Cpl. Unfortunately, the actor injured his sternum in a mountain biking accident and was medically discharged from service. Soon after, he pursued his passion for acting.
He has been in the HBO series "Girls," the Jason Bateman movie "This is Where I Leave You" and "Inside Llewyn Davis."
Despite his Hollywood success, Driver still keeps close ties with the military. Fox 411 reported that he runs a nonprofit organization called Arts in the Armed Forces, which allows servicemembers to see theater troop performances for free.
"Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens" will be in theaters Dec. 18.