Harrison Ford

Harrison Ford
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Name	Harrison Ford
Caption	Ford at the 2017 San Diego Comic-Con
Birth date	13 July 1942
Birth place	Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1964–present
Spouse	Mary Marquardt (m. 1964; div. 1979), Melissa Mathison (m. 1983; div. 2004), Calista Flockhart (m. 2010)

Harrison Ford is an American actor renowned as a cultural icon for his portrayals of ordinary heroes in some of the most successful films in history. He first achieved fame for his roles as the cynical smuggler Han Solo in the original *Star Wars* trilogy and the adventurous archaeologist Indiana Jones in the eponymous franchise. His career, spanning over five decades, includes major roles in critically acclaimed thrillers like *Witness* and *The Fugitive*, cementing his status as one of Hollywood's most bankable and respected stars.

Early life and education

He was born in Chicago to parents of Irish and Russian-Jewish descent. His father was an advertising executive and former actor, while his mother was a radio actress. He attended Maine East High School in Park Ridge, Illinois, where he performed in school plays. Initially uninterested in acting as a career, he enrolled at Ripon College in Wisconsin, majoring in philosophy and English literature. He took a drama course in his senior year to overcome shyness and subsequently joined a summer stock company, leading him to drop out just before graduation. He later moved to Los Angeles and signed a contract with Columbia Pictures, working as a stagehand and bit-part actor.

Acting career

His early career consisted of small roles in films like Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round and American Graffiti, the latter directed by George Lucas. His breakthrough came when Lucas cast him as Han Solo in the 1977 space opera *Star Wars*, a role he reprised in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. Simultaneously, he began a long collaboration with director Steven Spielberg, starring as the titular character in Raiders of the Lost Ark, a role he would revisit in multiple sequels. He demonstrated dramatic range in Peter Weir's *Witness*, earning his first Academy Award nomination. Major successes followed, including Blade Runner, *The Mosquito Coast*, *Patriot Games*, and *Air Force One*. After a hiatus, he returned to iconic roles in Star Wars: The Force Awakens and the fifth Indiana Jones film, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.

Personal life

He has been married three times, first to Mary Marquardt, then to screenwriter Melissa Mathison, and since 2010 to actress Calista Flockhart. He has five children, including actor and producer Ben Ford. An avid private pilot and environmentalist, he serves as vice chairman of the board for the conservation organization Conservation International. He owns significant property in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and has been involved in several aviation incidents, from which he emerged unharmed. His political donations have primarily supported Democratic candidates and causes.

Filmography and awards

His extensive filmography includes leading roles in over 40 major films, with the Star Wars and Indiana Jones series among the highest-grossing franchises of all time. Other notable films include Working Girl, *Presumed Innocent*, The Devil's Own, and What Lies Beneath. His performance in *The Fugitive* earned him a Golden Globe Award nomination. He received the Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2002 and was honored with a Life Achievement Award from the American Film Institute in 2000. In 2023, he was awarded an honorary Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival.

Public image and legacy

Widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential film stars in history, he is celebrated for his everyman charisma, dry wit, and physicality. The characters of Han Solo and Indiana Jones have become permanently embedded in global popular culture. He has been a consistent box office draw for decades, with his films grossing over $9 billion worldwide. His work has inspired generations of actors and filmmakers, and he is frequently cited in discussions of Hollywood's last true movie stars. Beyond acting, his advocacy for environmental conservation and his mastery of aviation have contributed to his public persona as a rugged, capable, and principled individual.

Category:American film actors Category:1942 births Category:Living people