17. Niven quit the military to try his hand at acting
David Niven resigned his commission after two years years in the military, and left for Hollywood. He got a series of bit parts during the 1930s, but just when he seemed to be on the verge of breaking out, WWII broke out first. Returning home, Niven rejoined the British army as a lieutenant in a motor training battalion. Craving more excitement, he transferred to the Commandos, and was assigned to the GHQ Liaison Regiment – a special reconnaissance unit known as the Phantom Signals Unit. However, to take advantage of his acting experience, the authorities temporarily detached Niven to the Army Film Unit, where he acted in two war movies.