Harrison Ford: The life story you may not know

Pascal Le Segretain // Getty Images When it comes to leading men in Hollywood, Harrison Ford regularly lands at the top of the list. Known for bringing numerous iconic genre characters to life, Ford shot to fame in 1977 after portraying charismatic smuggler Han Solo in George Lucas’ smash-hit space opera “Star Wars.” Also known for his work in films like the “Indiana Jones” franchise, “Blade Runner,” and “Witness,” his magnetic star turns have left an indelible mark on American cinema. Most recently, following the debut of the “Indiana Jones 5” trailer at September’s D23 Expo, the trailer was leaked online to much buzz. To commemorate Ford’s prolific life and legacy, Stacker compiled a list of 25 facts from his life story you may not know, consulting biographies, news accounts, magazines, and more. Although he’s best known for his acting career, Ford is much more than just a movie star. Throughout the years, he’s become a well-known pilot, pulling off heroic real-life rescues and suffering a severe plane crash in 2015. The actor is also a passionate activist, advocating for environmental conservation, progressive politics, and American archaeologists. The guy has even had spider and ant species named after him. More than 60 decades into his career, Ford’s legacy as an actor and activist has established him as one of the most legendary living American leading men. Read on to learn more about him. You may also like: 30 stars who hit their stride late in life 1942: Born in Chicago Sunset Boulevard/Corbis via Getty Images Harrison Ford was born to parents Dorothy and John William Ford on July 13, 1942. His mother was a former radio actress. Ford is of Irish Catholic and Jewish descent and once joked in an interview, “As a man, I’ve always felt Irish; as an actor, I’ve always felt Jewish.” 1964: First acting class Nancy Moran/Sygma via Getty Images A self-described “late bloomer,” acting wasn’t always Harrison Ford’s goal. He studied philosophy at Wisconsin’s Ripon College and took a drama class toward the end of his senior year in hopes of overcoming his shyness. Although Ford flunked out due to bad grades, he found a calling and, in 1985, was offered an honorary degree from the school, which he declined. 1964: Marriage to Mary Marquardt Frank Edwards/Fotos International // Getty Images At the start of summer 1964, Harrison Ford wed his college girlfriend, chef Mary Marquardt. Despite Ford’s rocky early years as a professional actor, Marquardt remained supportive and readily accompanied him to Hollywood that same year. The couple spent 15 years together and had two children. 1964: Columbia Pictures deal Archive Photos // Getty Images Although Harrison Ford didn’t get the radio voice-over roles he initially moved to Los Angeles to audition for, he eventually got a $150-a-week contract with Columbia Pictures’ new talent program. This involved Ford playing bit roles in the studio’s upcoming films. 1966: First known film role Columbia Pictures Two years after heading to Hollywood, Harrison Ford landed his first film role in the 1966 crime drama “Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round.” He played a bellhop in a then-uncredited part. Ford later recalled, in an interview with Conan O’Brien, being chastised by new talent program head Walter Beakel for not seeming enough like a “movie star” during his 30 seconds of screen time. You may also like: Celebrities you might not know are LGTBQ+ 1966: Birth of first child Ben Ford Hulton Archive/Getty Images The same year Harrison Ford earned his first film role, he and Mary welcomed their first child, a son named Ben. Their second son, Willard, was born in 1969. Ben is now a restaurateur, while Willard has owned multiple companies including Strong Sports Gym and Ludwig Clothing. 1967: First credited film role