Harrison Ford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Harrison Ford
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Ford in 2017
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| Born | July 13, 1942 Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
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| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1964–present |
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Works
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Full list |
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| Children | 5 |
| Awards | Full list |
| Vice Chair of Conservation International | |
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Current holder
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| Assumed position 1991 |
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| Preceded by | Position established |
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Harrison Ford (born July 13, 1942) is a famous American actor. He has starred in many movies over seven decades. He is one of the highest-earning actors in the world. His films have made over $10 billion worldwide. Ford has received many awards and nominations. These include an Academy Award nomination and several Golden Globe nominations. He was also honored as a Disney Legend in 2024.
Ford became globally famous for playing Han Solo in the Star Wars movies. He also played Indiana Jones in the Indiana Jones film series. Other well-known roles include Rick Deckard in Blade Runner and Jack Ryan in Patriot Games. These roles made him a top action hero in Hollywood.
Outside of acting, Ford is a skilled pilot. He has helped in rescue missions near his home. He is also an environmental activist. He has been the vice chair of Conservation International since 1991.
Contents
Early Life and First Steps in Acting
Harrison Ford was born in Chicago, Illinois, on July 13, 1942. His parents were Dorothy and John William Ford. He has a younger brother named Terence. Ford was a Boy Scout and reached the rank of Life Scout. This inspired the character of young Indiana Jones in one of his movies.
He graduated from Maine East High School in 1960. He later attended Ripon College. He studied philosophy there. Ford took a drama class to overcome shyness. He soon became very interested in acting.
Starting His Acting Journey
In 1964, Ford moved to Los Angeles. He signed a contract with Columbia Pictures. His first small role was in Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round (1966). He was often uncredited at first. To avoid confusion with an older silent film actor, he was sometimes credited as "Harrison J. Ford." He later dropped the "J."
Ford played minor roles in many TV shows. These included Gunsmoke and Ironside. He also appeared in the film Zabriskie Point (1970).
Becoming a Carpenter
Ford was not happy with the acting roles he was offered. He decided to become a professional carpenter. This helped him support his family. During this time, he worked for famous writers. This period helped him connect with people in the film industry.
His carpentry work led him to meet casting director Fred Roos. Roos helped him get an audition with director George Lucas. This led to Ford's role in American Graffiti (1973). This movie was a big step in his career.
Rise to Stardom
Ford's role in American Graffiti led to his first major film part. George Lucas hired him to read lines for actors auditioning for Star Wars (1977). Lucas was so impressed that he cast Ford as Han Solo.
Star Wars and Indiana Jones
Star Wars became a huge success. It made Ford, Mark Hamill, and Carrie Fisher famous worldwide. Ford returned as Han Solo in The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Return of the Jedi (1983).
His fame grew even more with Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981). This action-adventure film was a collaboration between Lucas and Steven Spielberg. Ford played the adventurous archaeologist Indiana Jones. This movie was also a massive hit. He continued to play Indiana Jones in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989).
Diverse Roles and Acclaim
Ford showed his acting range in the 1980s. He starred in the science-fiction film Blade Runner (1982). This movie became a cult classic. He also took on dramatic roles. His performance in Witness (1985) earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. He also starred in The Mosquito Coast (1986) and the comedy-drama Working Girl (1988).
In the 1990s, Ford played Jack Ryan in Patriot Games (1992) and Clear and Present Danger (1994). He also starred in action thrillers like The Fugitive (1993) and Air Force One (1997). This was a very successful time in his career. Many of his films were nominated for major awards.
Later Career and Recent Work
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Ford continued to act. He appeared in films like What Lies Beneath (2000). In 2008, he returned as Indiana Jones in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. This film was very popular.
Ford took on more varied supporting roles starting in 2013. He appeared in 42, playing baseball executive Branch Rickey. His performance was highly praised. He also starred in The Age of Adaline (2015).
Return to Iconic Roles
In 2015, Ford reprised his role as Han Solo in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. This movie was a huge success. He also returned as Rick Deckard in Blade Runner 2049 (2017). Critics praised his performance in this sequel.
In 2019, he voiced a dog named Rooster in the animated film The Secret Life of Pets 2. He also starred in The Call of the Wild (2020).
Television and Final Indiana Jones Film
More recently, Ford has starred in television series. He appeared in the Paramount+ western drama 1923 (2022–2025). He also starred in the Apple TV+ comedy series Shrinking (2023–present). For his work in these shows, he received several award nominations.
Ford played Indiana Jones for the last time in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (2023). In February 2025, he will appear as Thaddeus Ross in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Captain America: Brave New World.
Personal Life
Harrison Ford has been married three times. He has four biological children and one adopted child. His first marriage was to Mary Marquardt from 1964 to 1979. They had two sons. His second marriage was to screenwriter Melissa Mathison from 1983 to 2004. They had a son and a daughter.
Ford began dating actress Calista Flockhart in 2002. They married on June 15, 2010. Flockhart had adopted a son before meeting Ford, and he became his adopted father. Ford and Flockhart live on a ranch in Jackson, Wyoming. He has lived there since the 1980s. Ford is known for keeping his personal life private.
Aviation and Environmental Work
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Ford is a licensed pilot for both airplanes and helicopters. He has often helped emergency services in rescue missions near his home in Wyoming. In 2000, he flew an emergency medical technician to a hiker needing help. The next year, he helped a lost Boy Scout near Yellowstone National Park.
Ford started flight training in the 1960s. He later bought a used Gulfstream II jet. He learned to fly from one of his pilots. His aircraft are kept at Santa Monica Airport. He often flies his de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver plane.
Promoting Aviation Education
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In 2004, Ford became chairman of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA)'s Young Eagles program. This program teaches young people about aviation. He has flown over 280 children as part of this program. In 2016, he flew the two millionth Young Eagle. This made it the most successful youth aviation program ever.
Ford also supports the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). He has appeared in aviation documentaries. He is an honorary board member of Wings of Hope, a humanitarian aviation group.
Environmental Activism
Ford is the vice-chair of Conservation International. This group works to protect nature. Since 1992, he has promoted environmental involvement for EarthShare. He has also spoken for Restore Hetch Hetchy, which aims to restore a valley in Yosemite National Park. Ford appeared in the documentary series Years of Living Dangerously, which focuses on climate change.
Scientists have named new species after him. These include a spider, an ant, and a snake. This is to recognize his environmental work.
In 2013, while filming a documentary in Indonesia, Ford spoke about environmental issues. He met with the Indonesian President to discuss protecting oceans and forests. In 2019, he gave a powerful speech at the United Nations Climate Action Summit. He spoke about the destruction of the Amazon rainforest. He urged people to listen to young activists.
Political Views
Ford is a lifelong supporter of the Democratic Party. In 1995, he spoke to the U.S. Senate in support of the Dalai Lama and an independent Tibet. He also narrated a documentary about the Dalai Lama in 2007.
Ford has spoken out on various issues. He has called for more gun control in the United States. He supported Joe Biden's 2020 presidential campaign. He also endorsed Kamala Harris's 2024 presidential campaign.
Supporting Archaeology
Ford also supports professional archaeologists. He is a trustee on the board of the Archaeological Institute of America (AIA). This group works to raise public awareness of archaeology. They also try to prevent the illegal trade of ancient artifacts.
Awards and Honors
Harrison Ford has received many awards for his acting. In 1986, he was nominated for an Academy Award for his role in Witness. He also received nominations from BAFTA and the Golden Globe Awards. He received three more Golden Globe nominations for other films.
In 2000, he received the AFI Life Achievement Award. This award honors his entire body of work. In 2002, he was given the Cecil B. DeMille Award. On May 30, 2003, Ford received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Other honors include the Jules Verne Award in 2006. He also received the Hero Award at the 2007 Scream Awards. In 2015, he received the Albert R. Broccoli Britannia Award. In 2018, he was honored by the SAG-AFTRA Foundation for his acting and charity work.
Ford has also been honored for his involvement in aviation. He received the Living Legends of Aviation Award in 2009. In 2024, Ford received the Disney Legends Award. This recognized his contributions to The Walt Disney Company.
See also
In Spanish: Harrison Ford para niños
