Teen heartthrob Zac Efron (you know, that dude your tween sister/creepy middle-aged uncle has plastered all over the bedroom wall?) recently compared his crazy life to tough-guy secret agent Jason Bourne. Yes, the life of the star of "High School Musical" parts 1-3 is exactly like that of a globe-trotting spy. Efron, thank goodness, is by no means an actual spook, but many celebrities throughout history actually did perform secret agent work. Recently released government documents outed some unlikely celebs as spies and informants for the Office of Strategic Services (the precursor to the
Click on the gallery below to see real-life celeb Jason Bournes. A few might really surprise you, and, just to clear one more thing up -- Efron's girlfriend's leaked nude pics weren't part of a vast conspiracy. She's just not all that bright.
Celebs Who Moonlighted as Spies
Julia Child
The recent revelation that the famed TV chef worked for the OSS during WWII came as a shock to many. Child worked directly with OSS Director William Donovan, no doubt supplying the delectable canapés that were used to convince Nazi spies to give up U-boat locations.
New York Times Co. / Getty Images
Moura Budberg (lover of HG Wells)
The famed author of "The Time Machine" and "War of the Worlds" was quite the ladies man in his day, romancing everyone from eugenicist Margaret Sanger to Russian Baroness Moura Budberg. Unfortunately, Budberg was a spy for Russian intelligence, and used Wells to get information on his good pals Churchill and Roosevelt. If only Wells had some sort of machine to travel back in time and correct his mistake!
John Minihan, Evening Standard / Hulton Archive / Getty Images
Walt Disney
Disney's hatred of Commies is no secret, and from 1940 until his death in 1966, he served as an informant for the FBI. As thanks for turning poor striking animators over to the House Committee of Un-American Activities, the The Mouse King was awarded with full special agent status in 1954. Walt Disney: American treasure.
Edward G. Malindine, Topical Press Agency / Getty Images
Josephine Baker
The sultry French entertainer assisted the French resistance during WWII, often smuggling information coded in sheet music to rebels in Portugal. The Nazis left her alone due to her immense fame and staggering hotness that could melt the point off a SS trooper's helmet.
AP
Chuck Barris
As if being the host of "The Gong Show" wasn't strange enough, Barris claimed to have worked as an assassin for the CIA for years. (His primary mission was unmasking and killing "The Gong Show"'s Unknown Comic.) His autobiography, "Confessions of a Dangerous Mind," was so popular, George Clooney turned it into a pretty decent movie. The CIA finally came forward after the film's release, denying Barris' claims. What took them so long? Was he no longer of use? What have they got to hide??
Everett Collection
Marlene Dietrich
The German-born Dietrich turned down an offer to return to her native country during WWII, instead opting to record anti-Nazi propaganda songs for the OSS and perform for American troops on the frontlines. If only we had utilized her powers of seduction on Der Fuhrer, the war might have ended in a matter of minutes.
Erich Salomon / Getty Images
Moe Berg of the Chicago White Sox
Sox catcher Berg wasn't recruited as a spy during World War II for his throwing arm-it was his knowledge of German and other European languages that made him a valuable asset to the OSS. Berg did everything from keeping tabs on Nazi resistance groups to determining whether Germany was developing the atomic bomb. Meanwhile, Babe Ruth was stuffing himself with bratwurst and beer.
Mark Rucker, Transcendental Graphics / Getty Images
Charles ''Lucky'' Luciano
Notorious mobster "Lucky" Luciano assisted the Navy during World War II, protecting New York City docks from possible Axis invasion. For his efforts, Luciano was rewarded with deportation to Italy. It probably didn't feel good to be a gangster on that day.
Keystone / Getty Images
Sterling Hayden
Much like the characters he played in "The Killing" and "Dr. Strangelove," Hayden was a larger-than-life figure, serving in both the Marines and the OSS. In addition to running guns through German lines, Hayden was also briefly married to sultry British actress Madeleine Carroll ("The 39 Steps"), the Sienna Miller of her day. Most men would be lucky to claim even one of Hayden's accomplishments.
Archive Photos / Getty Images
Miles Copeland
Father of The Police drummer Stewart, Miles Copeland was a founding member of the OSS and worked with the CIA for decades. Meanwhile, Stewart gave us the kick-ass groove of "Roxanne." Who is the real patriot?
Central Press / Getty Images



























Comments:
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Tuesday 18 November
By Chris
Well, i wanted to read this article, but im not disabling my pop up blocker for it.
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Tuesday 25 November
By pete
Chris, you didn't miss anything. The list is short and omits many more than it gives. And almost every one has some kind of smart a$$ negative comment at the end, as though the author dislikes patriotism. But that's ok, because these very same kind of people will continue to risk their all so he can continue to freely speak his alleged "mind".
Sunday 23 November
By Jack Seward
Please spare me your sarcastic and immature commentary. Better yet, why don't you move to a Worker's Paradise, such as North Korea?
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Sunday 23 November
By BOB
GLAD TO SEE THAT YOU INCLUDED MOE BERG...PLEASE PUT CHARLES LINDBERGH ON YOUR LIST...ALL THE PRE-WAR TIME HE SPENT IN GERMANY PUSHING U.S. ISOLATIONISM AND PRAISING HITLER...HE WAS MAKING MENTAL NOTES AND SIZING UP THE LUFTWAFFE. HIS INFO WAS VERY USEFUL TO THE US ARMY AIR CORPS!!!!
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Sunday 23 November
By carplu33
you forgot ronald reagan,he spied on the screen actors guild for the u.s.govt
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Tuesday 17 February
By bkbjones
Moe Berg was recruited as a spy long before the US entered WW2. He took photos while in Japan on a baseball tour of important things like seaports. His book is very, very interesting.
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