An actor’s route to fame is never the same for two people, with some starting early in their studies to hone their craft.

Others may develop as they age or even after they have completed their education, but serving in the military initially is not the norm. For actor Adam Driver, the journey led to duty as a US Marine.

That choice came after he graduated from high school and lacked a clear plan for his future, which altered following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, in New York, Washington, and Pennsylvania. Motivated by the great tragedy, Driver joined the Marines and quickly established a discipline that would help him in his acting career.

A bike accident during his military service left him injured, preventing his deployment to conflict zones. After leaving the Marines, Driver resumed his acting career, eventually landing a role in the HBO series “Girls.”

His success eventually led to a role in the upcoming Star Wars film, “The Force Awakens,” set for release later this month. He founded Arts in the Armed Forces, a non-profit organization, in an attempt to bring the military and the arts together.

This allows military members to see theatrical performances for free, with most of the content tailored to their specific interests. Sometimes, the theater makes visits to those confined to military hospitals.