Harrison Ford

Harrison Ford and Chandran Rutnam in Sri Lanka

Harrison Ford Cannes

Harrison Ford by Gage Skidmore

Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart at the 2009 Deauville American Film Festival-02

Actor Harrison Ford touring the Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio (cropped)

Harrison Ford (born July 13, 1942) is an American actor, aviator, and environmental activist. He gained worldwide fame for his starring roles as Han Solo in the Star Wars franchise and as the title character in the Indiana Jones film series. Ford is also known for his roles in several other high-profile movies, including Blade Runner, The Fugitive, and Air Force One. His career spans more than six decades and he is regarded as an icon of Hollywood's golden age.

Early Life

Harrison Ford was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Dorothy (née Nidelman), a radio actress, and Christopher Ford, an advertising executive and former actor. He has a younger brother, Terence. Ford's family was of Irish and German-Jewish descent. He attended Maine East High School in Park Ridge, Illinois, where he was first introduced to acting. Ford went on to study English and Philosophy at Ripon College in Wisconsin, where he became interested in drama and joined a theatre group.

Career

Ford's acting career began in the 1960s when he moved to Los Angeles to pursue a job in voice-overs. He did not find immediate success in the entertainment industry and worked as a carpenter to support himself. His carpentry work led to a role in the film American Graffiti (1973), directed by George Lucas, which became a hit. However, it was his role as Han Solo in Star Wars (1977), also directed by Lucas, that catapulted him to international fame.

Following the success of Star Wars, Ford continued to star in blockbuster hits throughout the 1980s and 1990s, including the Indiana Jones series, Blade Runner (1982), and Witness (1985), for which he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. His role in The Fugitive (1993) further solidified his status as a leading Hollywood actor.

In addition to his acting career, Ford is known for his environmental activism. He is a vice-chair of Conservation International and has been involved in various environmental causes and initiatives over the years.

Personal Life

Ford has been married three times and has four biological children and one adopted child. He is an avid pilot and owns several aircraft. In March 2015, Ford was involved in a plane crash; he sustained serious injuries but made a full recovery.

Legacy

Harrison Ford's impact on the film industry is significant. He has been nominated for four Golden Globe Awards, winning once, and received the AFI Life Achievement Award in 2000. Ford's portrayal of iconic characters such as Han Solo and Indiana Jones has left an indelible mark on popular culture.

Filmography

Ford's notable films include:

• Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)
• Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
• Blade Runner (1982)
• Witness (1985)
• The Fugitive (1993)
• Air Force One (1997)

See Also

• List of American film actors
• List of environmental activists