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. He is one of the highest-grossing actors globally, recognized for his roles in numerous films. His accolades include nominations for prestigious awards such as an Academy Award and Golden Globes. He has also received honorary awards such as the AFI Life Achievement Award, the Cecil B. DeMille Award, and was named a Disney Legend in 2024.

Sections (4)

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

1977: Roman Polanski's charges for drugging and raping a 13-year-old girl

In 1977, film director Roman Polanski was accused of drugging and raping a 13-year-old girl, which led to his arrest in Switzerland in 2009, prompting Harrison Ford to sign a petition calling for Polanski's release.

August 22, 1987: Jet carrying Ford, Clint Eastwood and Sondra Locke made an emergency landing due to engine fire

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

1992: Lent his voice to public service messages promoting environmental involvement 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.

1993: A new species of spider was named after Ford

In 1993, the arachnologist Norman Platnick named a new species of spider Calponia harrisonfordi after Harrison Ford.

September 7, 1995: Testified before the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee in support of the 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: Involved in a helicopter crash near Santa Clarita, California

On October 23, 1999, Harrison Ford was involved in the crash of a Bell 206L4 LongRanger helicopter near Santa Clarita, California, during a training flight. The helicopter was seriously damaged, though Ford and the instructor pilot were uninjured.

2000: Donated to the presidential campaigns of Bill Bradley, Al Gore, and John McCain

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

2002: A new ant species was named after Ford

In 2002, the entomologist Edward O. Wilson named a new ant species Pheidole harrisonfordi after Harrison Ford, in recognition of his work as Vice Chairman of Conservation International.

2003: Publicly condemned the Iraq War and criticized Hollywood movies

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 that were "more akin to video games than stories about human life and relationships" and advocated for more gun control in the United States.

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

In March 2004, Harrison Ford officially became the chairman of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA)'s Young Eagles program, succeeding General Chuck Yeager. He accepted the position after initial hesitation, following an offer by Greg Anderson, Senior Vice President of the EAA at the time.

July 2005: Agreed to accept the position as Chairman for Young Eagles program for another two years

In July 2005, during the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh gathering in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, Harrison Ford agreed to continue his role as 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 chairman of the Young Eagles program

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

September 2013: Interviewed the Indonesian Forestry Minister and was threatened with deportation

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 publicly threatened with deportation. Later, Ford expressed concerns regarding Indonesia's environmental degradation to the Indonesian President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

March 5, 2015: Ford's plane made an emergency landing on a golf course after losing engine power

On March 5, 2015, Harrison Ford's plane, believed to be a Ryan PT-22 Recruit, made an emergency landing on the Penmar Golf Course in Venice, California, after losing engine power. He was hospitalized with 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 aviation-youth introduction program in history.

February 13, 2017: Ford landed an Aviat Husky on a taxiway at John Wayne Airport

On February 13, 2017, Harrison Ford landed an Aviat Husky at John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California, on the taxiway left of runway 20L, overflying a Boeing 737 holding short of the runway.

2019: Gave a speech at the United Nations' Climate Action Summit

In 2019, Harrison Ford delivered an impassioned speech at the United Nations' Climate Action Summit in New York on behalf of Conservation International, addressing the destruction of the Amazon rainforest and its global impact on climate change.

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

On April 24, 2020, while piloting his Husky at the Los Angeles Hawthorne Airport, Harrison Ford crossed a runway where another aircraft was landing. It was determined that there was no danger of a crash. Ford stated he "misheard" instructions from air traffic control.

2020: Endorsed Joe Biden's 2020 presidential campaign and worked with The Lincoln Project

In 2020, Harrison Ford endorsed Joe Biden's presidential campaign against Donald Trump, stating his desire to support candidates who prioritize the environment. He also collaborated with the anti-Trump Republican group The Lincoln Project to produce and narrate an election ad criticizing Trump's treatment of Anthony Fauci.

2023: A Peruvian snake species was named for Ford

In 2023, the Peruvian snake species Tachymenoides harrisonfordi was named for Harrison Ford.

November 2, 2024: Endorsed Kamala Harris's 2024 presidential campaign

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

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