Early Life and Education of Harrison Ford: A Complete Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: May 5, 2026

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

Harrison Ford is a highly acclaimed American actor, considered a cinematic cultural icon. He has received numerous nominations, including for an Academy Award and Golden Globe Awards. Ford is also the recipient of prestigious lifetime achievement awards such as the AFI Life Achievement Award and the Cecil B. DeMille Award, solidifying his significant contributions to film.

Sections (4)

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

August 22, 1987: Emergency Landing in Bangor, Maine

On August 22, 1987, Harrison Ford, Clint Eastwood, and Sondra Locke experienced an emergency landing in Bangor, Maine, aboard a Gulfstream III due to an engine fire and stuck landing gear during a flight from Paris to L.A.

1992: 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: Testified before the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee

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: Helicopter crash near Santa Clarita, California

On October 23, 1999, Harrison Ford was involved in a helicopter crash while piloting a Bell 206L4 LongRanger helicopter near Santa Clarita, California, during a training flight. The helicopter flipped onto its side after an unsuccessful autorotation attempt, resulting in serious damage, although no injuries were sustained.

2000: Donated to presidential campaigns

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

2003: Public condemnation of 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 movies and called for more gun control.

March 2004: Chairman of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA)'s Young Eagles program

In March 2004, Harrison Ford became the chairman of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA)'s Young Eagles program, replacing General Chuck Yeager. He accepted the offer after initial hesitation.

July 2005: Acceptance of another two years as the chairman of EAA

During the gathering in Oshkosh in July 2005, Harrison Ford agreed to remain the chairman of the Young Eagles program for an additional two years.

2009: Signed a petition calling for the release of Roman Polanski

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

2009: Stepped down as program chairman

In 2009, Harrison Ford stepped down as chairman of the Young Eagles program and was replaced by Captain Chesley Sullenberger and First Officer Jeff Skiles.

September 2013: Interview and allegations of harassment in Indonesia

In September 2013, while filming an environmental documentary in Indonesia, Harrison Ford interviewed the Indonesian Forestry Minister, Zulkifli Hasan. Following the interview, Ford and his crew were accused of "harassing state institutions" and threatened with deportation, regarding questions about Tesso Nilo National Park.

March 5, 2015: Emergency landing on Penmar Golf Course

On March 5, 2015, Harrison Ford made an emergency landing on the Penmar Golf Course in Venice, California, after his plane, believed to be a Ryan PT-22 Recruit, lost engine power. He sustained a broken pelvis, broken ankle, and other injuries.

July 28, 2016: Flew the two millionth Young Eagle at the EAA AirVenture convention

On July 28, 2016, Harrison Ford flew the two millionth Young Eagle at the EAA AirVenture convention, marking it as the most successful youth aviation introduction program in history.

February 13, 2017: Taxiway landing 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, overflying a Boeing 737 that was holding short of the runway.

2019: Speech at the United Nations' Climate Action Summit

In 2019, Harrison Ford gave a speech at the United Nations' Climate Action Summit in New York, addressing the destruction of the Amazon rainforest and its impact on climate change.

April 24, 2020: Runway crossing incident at Los Angeles Hawthorne Airport

On April 24, 2020, Harrison Ford crossed a runway at the Los Angeles Hawthorne Airport while piloting his Husky, as another aircraft was landing. The FAA determined the planes were about 3,600 feet apart and there was no risk of collision.

2020: Endorsed Joe Biden's presidential campaign

In 2020, Harrison Ford endorsed Joe Biden's presidential campaign against Donald Trump, citing concerns about the environment and America's credibility. He also worked with The Lincoln Project on an ad criticizing Trump.