Born on July 13th, 1942, he grew up in Chicage, Illinois. After graduating from high school, Harrison headed off to Ripon College in Wisconsin.
After college, Harrison promptly headed off to Los Angeles with his new wife, Mary Marquardt, in his Volkswagen bus. He 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.
Money was soon drying up and Harrison and his growing family (he had two children with Marquardt) were in trouble. After taking a book out of the library about carpentry, he figured he knew enough to get by. He found work building a recording studio. Luckily for everyone involved, he 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, Harrison was offered a role in George Lucas’ American Graffiti. He almost turned down the role because he wanted more money, but in the end was persuaded to take the part.
When George Lucas was casting for Star Wars, he asked his friend to read for the part of Han Solo. Everyone was impressed, and Harrison 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 Harrison to fill in.
With two huge movies under his belt, he began taking on more challenging roles. Films like Blade Runner and Witness were not as popular as his previous efforts, but demonstrated his range. Ford even picked up an Oscar nomination for Witness.
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.
TV
Harrison Ford, the Reluctant Hero (1998) .... Himself
Mustang: The Hidden Kingdom (1994) .... Narrator
Great Movie Stunts: Raiders of the Lost Ark
(1981) .... Host
Star Wars Holiday Special, The (1978) .... Han Solo
Possessed, The (1977) .... Paul Winjam
Dynasty (1976/I) .... Mark Blackwood
Judgement:The Court Martial of Lt William Calley(1975)
Intruders, The (1970).... Carl
Film
What Lies Beneath (2000) .... Norman
Random Hearts (1999) .... Dutch Van Den Broeck
From Star Wars to Star Wars: The Story of Industrial Light & Magic (1999)
Stars of Star Wars: Interviews with the Cast, The (1999) (V) .... Himself
Six Days Seven Nights (1998) .... Quinn Harris
Air Force One (1997) .... President James Marshall
Devil's Own, The (1997) .... Tom O'Meara
Sabrina (1995) .... Linus Larrabee
Cent et une nuits, Les (1995) .... Actor for a Day
Clear and Present Danger (1994) .... Jack Ryan
Century of Cinema, A (1994) .... Himself
Jimmy Hollywood (1994) .... Himself
Fugitive, The (1993) .... Dr. Richard Kimble
Patriot Games (1992) .... Jack Ryan
Envers du décor: Portrait de Pierre Guffroy, L' (1992)
Regarding Henry (1991) .... Henry Turner
Presumed Innocent (1990) .... Rusty Sabich
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) .... Indiana Jones
Frantic (1988) .... Richard Walker
Working Girl (1988) .... Jack Trainer
Mosquito Coast, The (1986) .... Allie Fox
Witness (1985) .... John Book
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) .... Indiana Jones
Return of the Jedi (1983) .... Han Solo
Blade Runner (1982) .... Rick Deckard
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982).... School Principal
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) .... Indiana Jones
Empire Strikes Back, The (1980) .... Han Solo
Hanover Street (1979) .... David Halloran
Frisco Kid, The (1979) .... Tommy Lillard
Apocalypse Now (1979) .... Colonel Lucas
More American Graffiti (1979) .... Officer Bob Falfa
Force 10 from Navarone (1978) .... Barnsby
Star Wars (1977) .... Han Solo
Heroes (1977) .... Ken Boyd
Conversation, The (1974) .... Martin Stett
American Graffiti (1973) .... Bob Falfa
Getting Straight (1970) .... Jake
Zabriskie Point (1970) .... Airport worker
Journey to Shiloh (1968) .... Willie Bill Rearden
Luv (1967) .... Hippy
Time for Killing, A (1967) Lieutenant Shaffer
Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round (1966) .... Bell Hop
Titbits
Revealed on the David Letterman show that he has some false teeth; 2 were pulled by a dentist after some others were damaged when he fell on a gun during a stunt for a TV appearance early in his career.
Has a scar on his chin which he got when he tried to "buckle up" while already driving, and lost control of the car.
He was billed as Harrison J. Ford until 1970 for less confusion between him and a silent-screen actor Harrison Ford, he actually has no middle name.
He can legally fly single engine fixed wing planes and helicopters, and owns a Bonanza, Gulfstream IV, DeHavland Beaver, and Bell Longranger helicopter. He regularly flys himself between His New York City and Wyoming homes.
