Harrison Ford, known for his iconic roles in the ‘Star Wars’ trilogy and ‘Indiana Jones,’ is one of the most prolific actors in Hollywood. With numerous awards and accolades, including the ‘AFI Life Achievement Award’ and ‘the Cecil B. DeMille Award,’ Ford has proven his talent and versatility. Despite facing a career slump, he has reinvented himself by taking on smaller roles and carrying sequels on his shoulders. Ford’s intense energy and dedication to his craft have solidified his status as a legendary actor in the industry.
Quick Facts
- Nick Name: Harry
- Age: 81 Years, 81 Year Old Males
- Spouse/Ex-: Calista Flockhart (m. 2010), Mary Marquardt (m. 1964–1979), Melissa Mathison (m. 1983–2004)
- Father: Christopher Ford
- Mother: Dorothy Ford (née Dora Nidelman)
- Siblings: Terence
- Children: Benjamin Ford, Georgia Ford, Liam Ford, Malcolm Ford, Willard Ford
- Born Country: United States
- Height: 6’1″ (185 cm), 6’1″ Males
- Political ideology: Democrat
- City: Chicago, Illinois
- Ancestry: Irish American
- Notable Alumni: Ripon College
- Personality: ENTJ
- U.S. State: Illinois
Childhood & Early Life
Harrison Ford was born on July 13, 1942, in Chicago, Illinois, to Dorothy (nee Dora Nidelman) and Christopher Ford. His mother was a homemaker and former radio actress, while his father was an advertising executive and former actor. He comes from a mixed ancestry of Irish Catholic and Russian Jewish.
In 1960, Harrison Ford graduated from Maine East High School in Park Ridge, Illinois. He then attended Ripon College in Wisconsin, where he became a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity. To overcome his shyness, he took a drama class in his senior year.
Career
In 1964, Harrison Ford traveled to Los Angeles in search of job opportunities in radio voice-overs. Two years later, he landed his first bit role as a bellboy in the film “Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round”. However, he faced difficulties in finding more roles due to offending producer Jerry Tokovsky.
Harrison Ford’s first credited role was in the 1967 Western film “A Time for Killing”. He also appeared in various TV shows during the 60s and 70s, such as “Gunsmoke”, “Ironside”, and “Kung Fu”. During this time, he supported his family through his carpentry skills and working as a stagehand for The Doors.
In the 70s, Harrison Ford played significant roles in successful films like “American Graffiti” and “Apocalypse Now”. The 80s brought more hits for him, including “Blade Runner” and “Witness”. In the early 90s, he starred in films like “Patriot Games” and “The Fugitive”. However, his work during the late 90s and early 2000s was not as successful.
In 2008, Harrison Ford starred in the highly grossing film “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull”. He continued to work on various projects in the following years, including “Cowboys & Aliens” and “Paranoia”.
Major Works
Harrison Ford is best known for his role as Han Solo in the original “Star Wars” trilogy. He also played the iconic character Indiana Jones in the Indiana Jones film series. These roles were highly successful and generated billions of dollars worldwide.
Awards & Achievements
For his role in the film “Witness” in 1985, Harrison Ford received nominations for the Academy Award, BAFTA, and Golden Globe in the Best Actor category. He was ranked No. 1 in Empire magazine’s Top 100 Movie Stars of All Time list in 1997. In 2000, he received the AFI Lifetime Achievement Award.
Personal Life & Legacy
Harrison Ford has been married multiple times and has four children. He is currently married to Calista Flockhart and they have one adopted son. Ford is an avid pilot and has been involved in various philanthropic efforts related to the environment and conservation. He is also politically active and has publicly expressed his opinions on issues such as the Iraq War and the recall of California Governor Gray Davis.
Trivia
Harrison Ford’s carpentry skills have been employed by several movie legends, including George Lucas and Francis Ford Coppola. He has also volunteered and served in various community projects as a Life Scout in the Boy Scouts of America.