The iconic actor/producer most famous for his role in the Star Wars Trilogy, turned 71 on July 13.
Harrison Ford was born July 13, 1942 in Chicago, Illinois. Growing up in suburban Chicago, Ford graduated from Main Township High School, in which he was involved in the social science and model train clubs. He later headed to Ripon College in Wisconsin, studying English and philosophy. It was at college where Ford signed up for a drama class, hoping to get an easy A, and fell in love with the art of performing.
Alongside future wife Mary Marquardt, Ford ventured out to Hollywood in the mid-1960s. His first deal was with Columbia Pictures as a contract player, where he earned $150 a week. In his film debut, Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round a studio official told him that he would never make it in the business.
Ford supported his struggling acting career by being a carpenter on the side. He was hired to build cabinets at the home of future Star Wars director George Lucas, who cast him in a supporting role in his film American Graffiti. Lucas later brought him in to read lines for actors auditioning for parts in Star Wars. Eventually, Lucas was won over by Ford’s acting abilities and cast him in the role of Hans Solo.
After his breakthrough role on Star Wars, Ford went on to be a well-respected and well-known Hollywood actor. He starred in other big name movies such as The Fugitive, Witness, Cowboys &Aliens and Indiana Jones. He has been confirmed to reprise his role as Han Solo in the upcoming Star Wars Episode VII.
Ford is known for being private about his personal life. He has two sons with his first wife, Marquardt, along with two children with his second wife, screenwriter Melissa Mathison. He also has a strong interest in aviation and learned to fly his own aircrafts at age 52.
Image: Wiki Media Commons
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