Legendary Hollywood Icon Harrison Ford was born on July 13,Β 1942 in Chicago, Illinois. His familyΒ history includes a strong lineage of actors, radio personalities, and models.Β Ford attended public high school in ParkΒ Ridge, Illinois where he was a member of the school Radio Station WMTH.Β Ford worked as the lead voice for sports reporting at WMTH for severalΒ years.Β Acting wasn't a major interest toΒ Ford until his junior year at Ripon College when he first took an acting class. Ford's career started in 1964 when he travelled toΒ California in search of a voice-over job.Β He never received that position, but instead signed a contract withΒ Columbia Pictures where he earned $150 weekly to play small fill in roles inΒ various films.
Through the '60s FordΒ worked on several TV shows including Gunsmoke,Β Ironside, Kung Fu, and American Style. It wasn't until 1967 that he receivedΒ his first credited role in the Western film, A Time for Killing. Dissatisfied with the meager roles he was beingΒ offered, Ford took a hiatus from acting to work as a self-employed carpenter.Β This seemingly odd diversion turned out to be a blessing in disguise forΒ Harrison's acting career when he was soon hired by famous film producer GeorgeΒ Lucas. This was a turning point inΒ Ford's life that led to him be casted in milestone roles such as Han SoloΒ and Indiana Jones.
Since his most famousΒ roles in the original Star Wars trilogy and RaidersΒ of the Lost Ark, Ford has appeared in over 40 films. Many criticize his late-career work, saying hisΒ performances have been lackluster, leading to commercially disappointing films. Ford has always worked hard to protect his off-screenΒ private life, keeping details about his children and marriages quiet. He has a total of five children including oneΒ recent adoption with third and current wife Calista Flockhart. In addition toΒ acting, Ford is passionate about environmental conservation, aviation,Β and archeology.
