Harrison Ford biography, net worth, age, photos young, wife, height 2025

Harrison Ford's biography

Harrison Ford is an actor and producer who's taken on dozens of roles throughout his career. But two of his characters will remain cinema legends forever: Han Solo from Star Wars and the fearless archaeologist-adventurer Indiana Jones.

No need to be introduced, actor Harrison Ford

His other standout films include the sci-fi classic Blade Runner, the war epic Apocalypse Now, and the thriller The Fugitive. In 1986 he was nominated for an Oscar for the lead role in the film Witness.

Harrison Ford on the set of the Star Wars

Beyond acting, Ford serves as vice president of Conservation International. He encourages fans to remember that humans are just one of many species sharing our planet. His net worth is estimated at roughly $300 million.

Childhood and family

Harrison Ford was born on July 13, 1942, at a Chicago hospital in Illinois. Christopher Ford, an advertising agency manager, and Dorothy Nudelman, a former actress on radio, became proud parents of their firstborn. After the birth of her son, his mother became a housewife. Three years later, Harrison's younger brother, Terence was born.

The actor had a fascinating mix of heritage: his paternal grandparents were Catholic Irish, while his maternal grandparents Harry (whose name he carries) and Anna were Jewish immigrants from Minsk who came to America in 1906. When asked about how his mixed heritage influenced his worldview, Ford always replied: "As a person, I always felt Irish, and as an actor, I felt Jewish. As for religion, I'm a Democrat, liberal to the core"

The house where Harrison Ford spent his childhood

The boy grew up in the town of Des Plaines, a suburb of Chicago. As a quiet, shy child, Harrison often had trouble with local bullies. He found refuge in the Boy Scouts, where he excelled. Eventually, he achieved the rank of Life Scout – just one step below Eagle Scout. Steven Spielberg honored Ford's scouting background by making young Indy a Boy Scout in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

In high school, he became interested in social studies and joined the model-making club. When the school started a student radio station, he became its first announcer, providing sports commentary.

From the left: the future actor with his parents and brother Terence

After graduating high school in 1960, Harrison Ford enrolled at Ripon College in Wisconsin to study philosophy. In his final year, he joined a theater group to overcome his shyness. And, as Ford himself recalled later, he was fascinated by acting: "I was just a late bloomer, but I finally found myself." Despite barely overcoming his fear of public speaking, once on stage he forgot everything else, completely absorbed in his character's story.

Harrison Ford overcame shyness but didn't graduate from college

Academically, he struggled, and just before graduation, he was expelled.

The loser actor

In 1964 he and Mary Marquardt, his college friend, and future wife moved to Hollywood, hoping to make it in Hollywood. For two years he worked as a barman until he signed a contract with the studio Columbia, where he was promised $150 for each role.

At the beginning of his career, Harrison Ford worked for pennies at the studio Columbia

Ford received his first role in cinema in the Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round crime drama in 1966. He appeared in one of the scenes as a messenger and received his first fee - the promised $150. Someone from management then scornfully told him: "Kid, you'll never make it"

Harrison Ford's first role in cinema

He was given small roles in the comedy Luv, The Mod Squad, Gunsmoke, The Virginian, The F.B.I., Love, American Style, Kung Fu popular TV series. His character got a bit more screen time (without any dialogue) - a student arrested at a rally - in the Zabriskie Point philosophical drama-parable, but ... all his scenes ended up on the cutting room floor.

Young Harrison Ford (the last from the right) when he was a carpenter

Putting his acting dreams on hold, Ford—already a father of two by then—decided to make ends meet as a carpenter. And, as it turned out, he made the most important choice in his life. He made the stage for Jim Morrison's concert, then built a home solarium for actress Sally Kellerman, assembled furniture in the house of producer Fred Roos.

A photo from the fifth episode of the Star Wars

While on the job, Ford struck up conversations with Roos, who eventually promised him an audition for George Lucas's new film American Graffiti. After casting, the actor was approved for the secondary role of Bob Falfa. The coming-of-age comedy became a massive hit. The film became an innovator in its genre, and many years later many critics noted its influence on his other masterpieces – the Dazed and Confused with young Matthew McConaughey and the Fast Times at Ridgemont High.

A shot from the American Graffiti (1973)

Star Wars

This experience proved invaluable for Ford - his good relationship with Lucas landed him an audition for Star Wars. Ford auditioned for multiple roles and ultimately became the space pilot-smuggler Han Solo.

Han Solo made Harrison Ford a world star

Released in 1977, the film instantly became a cultural phenomenon, earning 7 Oscar statuettes from 11 nominations, and Harrison Ford, along with Mark Hamill (Luke) and Carrie Fisher (Leia), became global stars. Ford's entire fee for his role in Star Wars was just $1,000.

He returned to the role of Han Solo in the equally successful sequels: The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. Ford actually begged Lucas to kill off his character in the final episode - he felt it would give the saga proper closure, but the director refused. It wasn't until a 2015 interview that Harrison admitted Lucas was right.

In 2014, Ford began filming what would mark the beginning of the Star Wars universe reboot. In the seventh episode, The Force Awakens, the action takes place 30 years after the original trilogy's conclusion in 1983. Ford again appeared in the role of Han Solo. Together with his faithful companion Chewbacca, he attempts to bring his son Kylo Ren back to the Light Side of the Force, but is ultimately killed. During filming, Ford broke his ankle when a 33-meter-high model of the Millennium Falcon's door fell on him.

Harrison Ford in the Star Wars: The Force Awakens

The young Han Solo film was scheduled for a 2018 premiere, but for obvious reasons, Ford wouldn't be reprising the role - American actor Alden Ehrenreich was cast instead.

Indiana Jones

According to Zoomboola.com, Ford has many prominent roles under his belt, but only one can compete in popularity within popular culture. Of course, we're talking about the legendary whip-smart archaeologist Indiana Jones.

Audiences first witnessed the adventures of this cult character who inspired countless young minds to study history in 1981. Raiders of the Lost Ark was directed by Steven Spielberg, who developed the plot idea with George Lucas - they were relaxing together in Hawaii when, lying on the beach, they built a sandcastle. And the rest is history.

Spielberg immediately envisioned Harrison Ford for the role, but Lucas, who served as the project's producer, opposed him: "The audience will think I'm just shoving him into every film!" The Star Wars creator tried to cast Magnum, P.I. star Tom Selleck, but he was locked into a contract. Further searches proved unsuccessful, and three weeks before filming began, Ford accepted the offer.

The film's production cost Lucas and Spielberg $20 million. The first Indy adventure earned $383 million at the box office, paying back almost 20 times its budget. In the U.S. alone, more than 88 million viewers watched with jaws dropped as Indiana Jones escaped from that giant boulder. This scene, by the way, was filmed without stunt doubles. Although the boulder was made of fiberglass rather than actual stone, it weighed more than a ton, putting Ford in real danger.

Indiana Jones escaping the stone

The 1985 sequel Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom secured that success, though it proved grueling for the actor: Harrison damaged a spinal disc while riding an elephant.

Ford fell off the elephant and damaged his spine

The third part Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade with Ford and Sean Connery, was released in 1989. The skill of everyone involved in its creation helped the film avoid the typical sequel drop-off in audience interest - its ratings matched those of the original.

Though just 15 years older, Sean Connery played the father of Ford's character

In the early '90s, Ford appeared in The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles TV series, though his role was quite limited. Still, audiences found his performance far more convincing than young Indy actor George Hall's.

Scenes from The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles

Nearly 20 years after The Last Crusade's release, the decision was made to revive Indiana Jones. Ford, no longer in peak physical condition, had to relearn his whip-handling skills (which took him 6 days) and admitted that at his age, very few people can maintain good shape - he's no exception, but he can perfectly fake it.

In 2008 the actor returned to the role of Indiana Jones

The film didn't receive reviews as strong as its predecessors, and the scene where Jones hides from the explosion of an atomic bomb in the refrigerator left audiences furious. Still, Spielberg wasn't ready to abandon the lucrative franchise, and soon announced the release of the fifth part.

Blade Runner

Between the first and second Indiana Jones films (and the final Star Wars installment), Ford starred in the cyberpunk thriller Blade Runner by Ridley Scott (an adaptation of Philip K. Dick's novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (1968)). He plays Rick Deckard, a cop hunting escaped replicants—cyborgs who look exactly like humans.

Though the film achieved cult status, the lead actor disliked it. From day one of shooting, he clashed with Ridley Scott. And he wasn't alone—few could work with the notoriously difficult director. What infuriated Ford most was Scott forcing him to record voice-over narration, which he intentionally delivered as poorly as possible, hoping it wouldn't make the final cut.

In addition, they disputed the vision of the main character. Ford believed his character was completely human and could never be a replicant. Scott disagreed, as his director's cut of Blade Runner revealed a decade later.

Harrison Ford's personal life

Ford's personal life has always attracted media attention, though the actor himself rarely addresses rumors about his private affairs.

Harrison Ford at the Night Show

Ford married Mary Marquardt in 1964 and became a father two years later. The boy was named Benjamin. In 1969 the couple had a son, Willard. In 1979 the couple filed for divorce.

Harrison Ford's second wife was screenwriter Melissa Mathison. The wedding took place in 1983. In 1990, Melissa gave birth to twins Malcolm and Georgia.

In 2001 their relationship came to an end. In 2002, Ford began dating actress Calista Flockhart, whom he met at the Golden Globe Awards ceremony. Soon they adopted a boy named Liam. On Valentine's Day 2009, Ford proposed to his love, and she gladly accepted. A year later, they married in Santa Fe, where Cowboys and Aliens was being filmed.

Harrison Ford's last beloved – Calista Flockhart

In 2016, Carrie Fisher's autobiography revealed that she and Ford had a three-month affair in 1976 during the filming of Star Wars.

Harrison Ford was still married when dating Carrie Fisher

Benjamin Ford chose not to follow in his father's footsteps. He became a chef, then opened the Ford's Filling Station gastropub chain. Willard owns the Strong Sports Gym. Ford's older sons made their father a grandfather three times: in 1993 (son Eliel), 2000 (son Ethan), and 2010 (son Waylon).

Harrison Ford's older sons: the chef and the trainer

Harrison stays active with sports. He hits the gym daily and plays tennis three times a week.

His main hobby is aviation. He received his first piloting lessons in the 60s but then he simply didn't have enough money to finish his studies and get a license: an hourly lesson cost $15 (which is approximately $120 by the standards of 2016). It was only in the mid-90s that he bought a private jet on hand and asked a fellow pilot to give him a couple of lessons. Since then, the actor has taken to flying like a duck to water.

The actor doesn't imagine his life without flying

In 2000 his passion for flying saved a tourist's life who had lost her way in the mountains of Idaho. His helicopter landed in front of the stunned woman, who didn't even recognize her famous rescuer. As the woman later explained, she never expected that a man in a T-shirt and cowboy hat would turn out to be a Hollywood star. And in 2001 the actor again found a lost man - now it was boy scout Cody Clawson.

In the photo: Harrison Ford and Cody Clawson saved by him

Harrison Ford nowadays

In fall 2017, the Blade Runner sequel hit theaters. The main character played by Ryan Gosling continues Rick Deckard's mission to hunt down replicants who escaped years after Deckard's disappearance. After uncovering classified intel, he sets out to find Deckard.

Blade Runner 2049: Harrison Ford again plays Rick Deckard

On set, Gosling told reporters that Ford accidentally clocked him in the face during a fight scene, misjudging his own strength. "I threw 80 punches, and 79 of them missed Gosling," Ford joked.

Harrison Ford accidentally hit Ryan Gosling

The fifth Indiana Jones film was slated for 2021, though its working title remained under wraps. When asked about the future of the franchise, Ford has repeatedly stated that "Indiana Jones isn't James Bond – there can only be one. Bond actors either age out or demand too much money. But I'm not ready... to age out."

Harrison Ford: latest news and articles

Actor Michael J. Fox returns to the big screen five years after retiring from his career
20 May 2025

Debbie Ruiz

What did Harrison do on the set! So not everyone can risk their health for the sake of cool shots. I really respect this actor.

2021-05-09 21:40:52
Thomas Christopher Hall

Of course, Star Wars without Harrison would have lost a lot. Greatest actor of all time, one hundred percent!!!

2021-05-08 08:09:32
Mary Pope

Oh, this Harrison Ford. This is what mixed blood means. This is the guarantee of a beautiful and healthy generation, as it happened in his case! The man is already about 80, but the peasant is still in the ranks.

2021-03-17 09:00:41
Scott Barnett

Everyone knows his name, I won`t even argue :) «Blade Runner» with Ford made a huge impression on me and other moviegoers!

2021-02-25 11:58:15
Natalie Martin

In his youth, Harrison Ford was simply irresistible. With ecstasy I remember some of his favorite roles. Like Indiana Jones, and he`s a treasure hunter there

2021-02-01 14:18:30

Photos: Harrison Ford