Photograph of President Harry S. Truman Playing the Piano While Jack Benny Plays the Violin, National Archives Identifier 596420
All kinds of celebrities can be found in the National Archives Catalog and for all kinds of reasons. Above we see former President Harry Truman hanging out with one of his good friends, comedian Jack Benny. Truman appeared on Benny’s television show in 1959, when the show was filmed from the Truman Presidential Library in Independence, Missouri.
Celebrities are often invited to the White House in acknowledgement of their work in the arts, sports, or charity work.
Above: Photograph of Jackie Robinson, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Comedian Joe E. Brown at the White House, National Archives Identifier 7741406; Below: President George W. Bush Presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Actor Andy Griffith, National Archives Identifier 7431426
During the world wars, many movie and music stars lent their talents to raising money for the war effort through War Bond drives and encouraging scrap metal collection.
Left: Harvesting bumper crop for Uncle Sam. Movie
star Rita Hayworth sacrificed her bumpers for the duration. Besides setting an example by turning in unessential metal car parts, Miss Hayworth has been active in selling war bonds. Wide World, National Archives Identifier 535993; Above Charlie Chaplin, comedy star of the "movies," making his first speech for the third Liberty Loan in front of the State, War and Navy Building, Washington, D.C., on first anniversary of U.S. entry into war, National Archives Identifier 530715
United Services Organizations (USO) work entertaining the troops has also been popular among celebrities, both state side and abroad.
Left: "Hattie McDaniel (center), Chairman of the Negro Division of the Hollywood Victory Committee, takes time off from rehearsals...to lead a caravan of entertainers and hostesses to Minter Field,...for a vaudeville performance and dance for soldiers stationed there. The young lady to the right of Miss McDaniel is Miss Virginia Paris, noted concert singer." National Archives Identifier 535875; Right: Where Kings of France Once Lived, Fred Astaire Dances for U.S. Soldiers in the Palace Garden at Versailles, France, During a U.S.O. Show for the Troops, National Archives Identifier 315833808
Sometimes movies are shot on federal land, leading to federal records like this photograph of Clark Gable filming Call of the Wild in 1935.
On The "Yukon" in "The Call of The Wild" Clark Gable with Dog, Mount Baker National Forest, 1935., National Archives Identifier 299075
Sometimes, celebrities wind up in the National Archives for the same reasons non-famous people do, for example, immigration. Here is Maria von Trapp’s Declaration of Intention from 1944.
Declaration of Intention for Maria Augusta von Trapp, National Archives Identifier 596198
Other celebrities have military service records in the archives. Irving Berlin’s draft card notes that he was composer of music and that he was still a citizen of Russia at the time. While Tommy Lee Jones’ selective service card states he was late registering due to “neglect and lack of transportation.”
Left: World War I Draft Registration Card for Irving Berlin, National Archives Identifier 641750; Right: Selective Service Card for Tommy Lee Jones, National Archives Identifier 4726270
Celebrities continue to volunteer their time with the USO and with humanitarian groups around the world. These activities will continue to be documented by government agencies and will eventually make it to our Catalog.
Left: President Obama Meets with George Clooney in the Oval Office, National Archives Identifier 289873962; Right: Secretary Ken Salazar on visit to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, [along North Carolina-Tennessee border, for re-dedication ceremony marking the] 75th anniversary of the Park's establishment. [Among prominent figures joining the Secretary: singer and actress Dolly Parton, serving as the Park's 75th anniversary year "Ambassador;" North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue; Tennessee Governor Phil Bredeson; members of the North Carolina and Tennessee Congressional delegations; National Park Service Acting Director Dan Wenk; Great Smoky Superintendent Dale Ditmanson, and other Park Service officials.] - 9/2/2009, National Archives Identifier 55058264
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![Secretary Ken Salazar on visit to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, [along North Carolina-Tennessee border, for re-dedication ceremony marking the] 75th anniversary of the Park's establishment. [Among prominent figures joining the Secretary: singer and actress Dolly Parton, serving as the Park's 75th anniversary year "Ambassador;" North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue; Tennessee Governor Phil Bredeson; members of the North Carolina and Tennessee Congressional delegations; National Park Service Acting Director Dan Wenk; Great Smoky Superintendent Dale Ditmanson, and other Park Service officials.]](https://hs-20973928.f.hubspotemail.net/hub/20973928/hubfs/48-DPA-267_IOD_7603.jpg?upscale=true&width=520&upscale=true&name=48-DPA-267_IOD_7603.jpg)
