1926 is credited has having one of the first proper Aviation films called “Wings.” Since that point a long list of movies have used Aviation as a central theme, and continue even today. However, something you may not know is that the actors of your favorite films have long since taken Aviation off the screen and into their real lives.
Aviation and Hollywood started in early part of the 20th century, as director Cecil B. DeMille (Movie Credits include: Ten Commandments, Greatest Show On Earth) got the flying bug, after being inspired by the first ever powered manned flight. Cecil would eventually go on to found the Mercury Aviation Company in 1918 and build an Airfield.
Something you might not have know was that Sydney Chaplin (older half-brother of Actor Charlie Chaplin) also around the same time as Cecil was bitten by the flying bug. According to | http://miraclemilela.com | both of these first Hollywood Aviation pioneers were the first modern airline industry by offering the first scheduled commercial flights in the world.
Since those beginnings of Aviation in Hollywood a long list of Actors, Actresses, Directors, Producers have continued the passion of Aviation. Here are few:
Jimmy Stewart
Jimmy Stewart was a B24 Bomber Pilot in WWII
Hilary Swank
Hilary Swank had 19 hours of flight instruction as she started filming the movie Amelia
Tom Cruise
Tom Cruise and the film “Top Gun” is credited as having one of the largest impacts on Military recruitment, specifically the Air Force. Tom shortly after earned his wings, and now owns a beautiful P51 Mustang called Kiss Me Kate.
Morgan Freeman
Morgan Freeman earned his Private Pilots License in 2002
Angelina Jolie
Angelina Jolie earned her pilots licence in 2005
Credits & Sources
http://www.spartan.edu/blog/rising-stars-celebrities-with-pilot-s-licenses
http://www.aerofiles.com/00stars.html