On This Day

Birthday of Harrison Ford

July 13th 1942

10:12 13 July 2024

Hollywood superstar Harrison Ford was born on this day in 1942. In 1973 the American actor, while struggling to land decent parts, had turned to working as a carpenter to support his then-wife and two young sons when he was cast in 'American Graffiti' directed by George Lucas.

This proved to be a turning point for Ford who would eventually be cast by Lucas as Han Solo in 'Star Wars' (1977).

Ford's status as one of Hollywood's most popular leading men was soon established with 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' (1981) and its sequels as well as 'Blade Runner' (1982). Throughout the 1980s Harrison Ford proved his versatility as an actor and not just an action star with dramatic parts in films such as 'Witness' (1985), 'The Mosquito Coast' (1986) and 'Frantic' (1988).

In the 1990s he twice played author Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan in 'Patriot Games (1992) and 'Clear and Present Danger' (1994) as well as playing leading roles in other action thrillers including the critically acclaimed 'The Fugitive' (1993), 'The Devil's Own' (1997) and 'Air Force One' (1997).

A career decline in the early 2000s was turned around when he reprised one of his most popular characters in 'Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull' (2008) and in 2015 he once again played Han Solo in Star Wars sequel 'The Force Awakens'. 

With ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’ opening in theaters last year, the veteran actor shows no signs of slowing down. Happy Birthday Harrison.