Early Life and Education of Harrison Ford: A Complete Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of Harrison Ford, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

Harrison Ford is a highly successful and iconic American actor with a career spanning seven decades. Known for starring in numerous popular films, he is one of the highest-grossing actors globally. He has received nominations for prestigious awards, including an Academy Award and Golden Globe Awards, and has been honored with lifetime achievement awards such as the AFI Life Achievement Award and the Cecil B. DeMille Award. Ford was also recognized as a Disney Legend in 2024.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles

1966: Birth of Son

In 1966, Harrison Ford and Mary Marquardt had a son who once co-owned Ford's Filling Station.

1969: Birth of Son

In 1969, Harrison Ford and Mary Marquardt had a son who is the owner of the Ludwig Clothing company.

1977: Roman Polanski charged for drugging and raping a 13-year-old girl

In 1977, Roman Polanski was charged for drugging and raping a 13-year-old girl. Harrison Ford would later sign a petition in 2009 calling for the release of film director Roman Polanski, who had been arrested in Switzerland in relation to his 1977 charge for drugging and raping a 13-year-old girl.

August 22, 1987: Ford's flight experiences engine fire and stuck landing gear, forces emergency landing

On August 22, 1987, Harrison Ford, Clint Eastwood, and Sondra Locke were passengers on a Gulfstream III jet that experienced an engine fire and stuck landing gear during a flight from Paris to L.A. The jet was forced to land in Bangor, Maine.

1987: Birth of Son with Melissa Mathison

In 1987, Harrison Ford and Melissa Mathison had a son.

1990: Birth of Daughter with Melissa Mathison

In 1990, Harrison Ford and Melissa Mathison had a daughter.

1992: Ford lends voice to public service messages for EarthShare

Since 1992, Harrison Ford has lent his voice to a series of public service messages promoting environmental involvement for EarthShare, an American federation of environmental and conservation charities.

September 7, 1995: Ford testifies before U.S. Senate committee in support of Dalai Lama

On September 7, 1995, Harrison Ford testified before the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee in support of the Dalai Lama and an independent Tibet.

October 23, 1999: Ford involved in helicopter crash

On October 23, 1999, Harrison Ford was involved in the crash of a Bell 206L4 LongRanger helicopter near Santa Clarita, California. The helicopter, piloted by Ford during a training flight, experienced a hard landing and flipped onto its side. Neither Ford nor the instructor pilot were injured.

2000: Ford donated to presidential campaigns

In 2000, Harrison Ford donated $1,000 to the presidential campaigns of Bill Bradley, Al Gore and John McCain.

2003: Ford publicly condemned the Iraq War

In 2003, Harrison Ford publicly condemned the Iraq War and called for "regime change" in the United States. He also criticized Hollywood for making movies which were "more akin to video games than stories about human life and relationships" and he called for more gun control in the United States.

2009: Ford signed a petition calling for the release of film director Roman Polanski

In 2009, Harrison Ford signed a petition calling for the release of film director Roman Polanski, who had been arrested in Switzerland in relation to his 1977 charge for drugging and raping a 13-year-old girl.

September 2013: Ford interviewed Indonesian Forestry Minister

In September 2013, while filming an environmental documentary in Indonesia, Harrison Ford interviewed the Indonesian Forestry Minister, Zulkifli Hasan. Ford and his crew were later accused of "harassing state institutions" and threatened with deportation. Ford expressed concerns regarding Indonesia's environmental degradation to the Indonesian President.

June 11, 2014: Ankle Injury on Star Wars Set

On June 11, 2014, while filming "Star Wars: The Force Awakens", Harrison Ford suffered a fractured ankle when a hydraulic door fell on him. He was airlifted to a hospital in Oxford, England, for treatment.

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March 5, 2015: Ford's plane makes emergency landing after engine failure

On March 5, 2015, Harrison Ford's plane, a Ryan PT-22 Recruit, made an emergency landing on the Penmar Golf Course in Venice, California, after experiencing engine failure. Ford was hospitalized with a broken pelvis, broken ankle, and other injuries.

February 13, 2017: Ford lands plane on taxiway at John Wayne Airport

On February 13, 2017, Harrison Ford landed an Aviat Husky on a taxiway at John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California, after mistaking it for a runway. A Boeing 737 was holding short of the runway on the taxiway when Ford overflew them.

2019: Ford gave impassioned speech during the United Nations' Climate Action Summit

In 2019, on behalf of Conservation International, Harrison Ford gave an impassioned speech during the United Nations' Climate Action Summit in New York on the destruction of the Amazon rainforest and its effect on climate change for the rest of the world.

April 24, 2020: Ford crosses runway where another aircraft was landing

On April 24, 2020, at the Los Angeles Hawthorne Airport, while piloting his Husky, Harrison Ford crossed a runway where another aircraft was landing. The FAA determined there was no danger of collision, and a representative of Ford stated he "misheard" an instruction from air traffic control.

2020: Ford endorsed Joe Biden's 2020 presidential campaign

In 2020, Harrison Ford endorsed Joe Biden's presidential campaign against Donald Trump, citing the need to support candidates who would support the environment. He also worked with The Lincoln Project to produce an ad criticizing Trump's disparaging of Anthony Fauci.

2023: Abhorrence of Boring Situations

In 2023, Harrison Ford clarified that he doesn't have social anxiety disorder, but rather an "abhorrence of boring situations".

2023: Pride in Branch Rickey Role

In a 2023 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Harrison Ford said that his role as Branch Rickey in the film "42" is one of the roles he is most proud of.

November 2, 2024: Ford endorsed Kamala Harris's 2024 presidential campaign

On November 2, 2024, Harrison Ford endorsed Kamala Harris's 2024 presidential campaign.

February 2025: Starring in Captain America: Brave New World

In February 2025, Harrison Ford will star alongside Anthony Mackie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film "Captain America: Brave New World", replacing William Hurt as Thaddeus Ross. That same month, he voiced support for video game actors, speaking out against the use of artificial intelligence.

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