He is one of Hollywood’s largest personalities, and yet remains one of the most down to earth and likeable on-screen personas. Despite the fact that Harrison Ford has starred in two of the most high profile film franchises of all time, he retains a downright earnest charm and incredible everyman sex appeal. Before he became Indiana Jones or Han Solo - two of the most roguishly charming characters in cinematic history - Harrison Ford was a shy, lonely young man. Born on July 13th, 1942, he grew up in suburban Des Plaines, Illinois. Ford was the kind of awkward kid who never really managed to fit in. He usually hung around with the girls, and was a member of the audio visual club. Never athletically gifted, he wasn’t academically gifted either. After finally graduating from high school, he headed off to Ripon College in Wisconsin. Ripon was a very conservative institution, and at the time, Ford fancied himself a beatnik who had little time for studying. He majored in English, but was soon bounced from Ripon’s R.O.T.C because he refused to cut his long hair.
Not that this bothered Ford, who promptly headed off to Los Angeles with his new wife, Mary Marquardt, in his Volkswagen bus. Harrison had already performed in a few theater productions, and had decided that acting was going to be his life. However, he didn’t really count on the fact that thousands of other people head out to L.A. for the same reason every week. Work was hard to come by, and the problems were only compounded by his own work ethic. He was kicked out of talent stables run by both Universal and Columbia because he always had to inject his own opinions and was uncooperative with directors and producers - who didn’t take to the young upstart.
Money was soon drying up and Ford and his growing family (he had two children with Marquardt) were in trouble. After taking a book out of the library about carpentry, Ford figured he knew enough to get by. Lying and exaggerating his expertise, he found work building a recording studio. Luckily for everyone involved, Ford discovered that he had a natural talent for woodwork. He continued to supplement his fledgling acting career with carpentry for years to come, and still professes a love for carpentry.
In 1972, Ford was offered a role in George Lucas’ American Graffiti. At the time, Lucas was just getting his career started and was not the name that he is today. Together, the two men would make history. Ford almost turned down the role because he wanted more money, but in the end was persuaded to take the part. American Graffiti turned out to be a sleeper hit, but what’s more, the friendship that Ford had formed with Lucas would pay off in bigger ways.
First, when the director was at a casting deadlock for Star Wars, he asked his friend to read for the part of Han Solo. Everyone was impressed, and Ford was soon starring in one of the biggest blockbusters ever. Then, a few years later, when Tom Selleck had to pull out of Indiana Jones, Lucas and director Steven Spielberg once again called on Ford’s expertise to fill in.
With two huge movies under his belt, Harrison Ford was a bonafide success story. However, rather than rest on his laurels, be began taking on more challenging roles. Films like Blade Runner and Witness were not as glossy as his previous efforts, but demonstrated his range. Ford even picked up an Oscar nomination for the latter.
On the personal side of life, Ford and Marquardt divorced in 1979, but they remained close and shared custody of their two children. Ford remarried in 1983 to screenwriter Melissa Mathison, with whom he also has two children. Their marriage remains one of Hollywood’s longest lasting. Today, the whole family resides on a ranch in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
As an aging leading man, Harrison Ford continues to persevere. He has shown that he can still be sexy over 40, and has even pulled off some stunning action hero roles in films like Air Force One. He is always at his best as an everyman grappling with extraordinary circumstances, which is why he appeals to so many of us - and will continue to do so for years to come.
