Harrison Ford
Carpenter, late bloomer, superstar
Harrison Ford as the aged Indiana Jones.
© imago/Cinema Publishers Collection
He was Indiana Jones and Han Solo and attracted more people to the cinema than almost anyone before. Actor Harrison Ford turns 80.
Whether as “Indiana Jones” or as Han Solo in the “Star Wars” saga – Harrison Ford has long written film history. According to statistics, hardly any other actor in the USA has attracted more people to the cinema than he has. One of Hollywood’s last great movie stars is now turning 80. Time to look back on a great career. And forward. Because Ford doesn’t think about stopping: “Indiana Jones 5” has already been turned off.
From carpenter to superstar
Harrison Ford’s rise to stardom is a story in itself. George Lucas (78) is said to have seen him as a carpenter in Steven Spielberg’s (75) office – and immediately hired him as Han Solo. It is doubtful whether that was exactly the case. After all, Ford had previously played a major role for Lucas in his 1973 cult film American Graffiti. In any case, the director is said to have recognized the minor actor at the time and invited him to the casting.
Ford actually worked as a handyman in the mid-1960s. His Hollywood career didn’t really take off at the time. Ford left his hometown of Chicago in 1964 to pursue his big dream. He was born on July 13, 1942 to a father of Irish descent and a mother with Jewish, Eastern European roots. But in Los Angeles, Ford only got extra roles. To earn money, he taught himself carpentry and eventually met George Lucas.
The rest is film history. In 1977, Ford played his way into the hearts of millions of fans worldwide as the cool space smuggler Han Solo in the legendary “Star Wars” saga. At this point he is already 35 years old. Not exactly young for the first big role. In 1981 he was hired by Lucas (screenplay) and Spielberg (director) for “Raiders of the Lost Ark”. Indiana Jones will be his second iconic role in a few short years. His film “Blade Runner” (1982) was initially a failure, only becoming a cult over the years. In 1986, Ford received his only Oscar nomination to date for the crime thriller “The Only Witness”.
Attempts in other genres – return to action
In 1986 came the first flop of his young career. Harrison Ford as a dictatorial family man and dropout in “Mosquito Coast” who loses all connection to reality. Few want to see that. Still, the star is dabbling in genres other than action-adventure. He directs a romantic comedy (“Women’s Guns”, 1988) and a family drama (“Henry,” 1991).
In the 1990s, Ford returned to its core competency of action. In “The Hour of the Patriots” (1992) and “The Cartel” (1994) he embodies another well-known series character: Tom Clancy’s (1947-2013) Jack Ryan. Other hits for the no-longer-young action star are “On the Run” (1993) and “Air Force One” (1997).
Decline – and reinvention?
From the turn of the millennium, Harrison Ford’s star clouded over a bit. The big leading roles are missing. His fourth appearance as Indiana Jones in 2008 is not well received by fans and critics. In 2014 he starred in “The Expendables 3”, the franchise for more or less worn-out action heroes. If Ford causes a stir, then with old roles. In 2015, the amateur pilot gave the Han Solo again in “The Force Awakens”. In 2017 comes the late sequel Blade Runner: 2049. In 2020, the passionate conservationist shows in the Jack London film “The Call of the Wild” that he still has adventure.
And now: “Indiana Jones 5” (June 2023 in cinemas) should be his last appearance with a fedora hat and hippopotamus whip. Like many of his colleagues, he also discovered television for himself. With “Shrinking” and “1932”, the offshoot of the celebrated western series “Yellowstone”, he has two series projects in the pipeline. Does this come full circle at the beginning of his career, when he was a bit actor in routine western series? Or is it the start of a new career?