Rob Riggle Shares Unique Reason for Joining the Marines

Actor Rob Riggle recently revealed an unexpected motivation behind his decision to enlist in the Marines. In a recent appearance on Bill Maher’s podcast, the 55-year-old shared that he joined the military at just 19. He felt a desire to serve but admitted it wasn’t something he actively prioritized.

During the conversation, Riggle reminisced about his aspirations of potentially becoming an FBI agent. “There was this time, back before everything was online, when I called the FBI office to ask what they were looking for in candidates,” he recalled. The response from a special agent was revealing: they sought lawyers and accountants, but interestingly, they also preferred Marines.

After some contemplation, Riggle recognized that a legal or accounting career wasn’t for him. He thought, “Maybe I could find a place in the Marine Corps instead.”

Although he didn’t end up with the FBI, Riggle dedicated 23 years to the Marines, eventually attaining the rank of lieutenant colonel. His service took him to various locations, including Afghanistan, Albania, Liberia, and Kosovo.

In the same interview, he discussed his academic background in theater and film. Surprisingly, he struggled to see a clear path toward becoming an actor. As he reflected on his time in the Marines, he noted how it bolstered his confidence. “I realized what I thought were my limits weren’t really limits at all. They helped me see that maybe acting or comedy was within reach.”

Riggle’s career took a pivotal turn when he joined the cast of “Saturday Night Live” for a brief period from 2004 to 2005, later becoming well-known as a correspondent on “The Daily Show.”

Having transitioned into comedy, he appeared in many popular shows like “New Girl,” “Arrested Development,” “The Office,” and “Modern Family,” where he took on the role of Gil Thorpe, a rival to Ty Burrell’s character, Phil Dunphy.

Reflecting on his journey from military life to the stage, Riggle shared that he engaged in many exciting experiences while serving. “I’ve flown planes, done barrel rolls, and splits,” he recounted. However, stepping onto a comedy stage for the first time felt daunting, leading to a “very emotional fear” that was distinctly different from other fears he had encountered.

In a talk with FOX News’ Eric Shawn about his experiences in the military and the entertainment industry, he emphasized how earning the title of Marine was a “humbling” experience that taught him to develop a “thick skin.”

“It’s about winning the title ‘Marine,’” he noted. “Even if you didn’t formally enlist or go to boot camp, your journey still defines you as a Marine, but, yes, you really need to complete boot camp.”