Life pre-empting art.

The first time I can remember encountering the character of Sherlock Holmes in any meaningful way was during school holidays when I was little, when the old Basil Rathbone/Nigel Bruce films would be shown on Saturday mornings. Naturally I thought they were great, and this led to a lifelong affection not only for the characters, but also the films and the actors who played in them.
Basil Rathbone was not only an Olympic-class fencer (he has scene-stealing roles as the villains in both Errol Flynns' "The Adventures of Robin Hood" and Tyrone Powers' "The Mark of Zorro"*) but was also, in his time, the highest paid non-studio actor in the world. His heroic credentials were forged when he served in the First World War, having been twice decorated for bravery.
Nigel Bruce, who played the bumbling, comic relief character of Doctor Watson also served in the First World War, but his military record was less impressive. He was shot in the arse.

Fourteen times.

I know that I really shouldn't find this funny, but I do. It makes me laugh every time I think of it.

^{*The film which inspired Bob Kane to invent The Batman, and there is some suggestion that The Joker was partially inspired by the tall, athletic Rathbone himself.}