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, known for starring in numerous films. His work has garnered nominations for prestigious awards, including an Academy Award, BAFTA, Emmy, and Golden Globe Awards. He has also received the AFI Life Achievement Award, Cecil B. DeMille Award, an Honorary César, and an Honorary Palme d'Or, and was named a Disney Legend in 2024.

Sections (4)

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

1964: Marriage to Mary Marquardt

In 1964, Harrison Ford married Mary Marquardt. The marriage lasted until 1979.

1966: Birth of First Son

In 1966, Harrison Ford and Mary Marquardt had their first son.

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1969: Birth of Second Son

In 1969, Harrison Ford and Mary Marquardt welcomed their second son.

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1976: Affair with Carrie Fisher

In 1976, Harrison Ford and Carrie Fisher had a three-month affair during the filming of Star Wars.

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1979: Divorce from Mary Marquardt

In 1979, Harrison Ford divorced Mary Marquardt after being married since 1964.

March 1983: Marriage to Melissa Mathison

In March 1983, Harrison Ford married screenwriter Melissa Mathison.

August 22, 1987: Emergency Landing in Bangor, Maine

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

1987: Birth of Son with Melissa Mathison

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

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1990: Birth of Daughter with Melissa Mathison

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

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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.

1993: Spider species named after Ford

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

September 7, 1995: Testified before 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 near Santa Clarita, California, while piloting a Bell 206L4 LongRanger helicopter during a training flight. The helicopter crash landed and flipped, but neither Ford nor the instructor pilot were injured.

2000: Separation from Melissa Mathison

In 2000, Harrison Ford and Melissa Mathison separated, after being married since 1983.

2000: Donated to presidential campaigns

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

2000: Airlifted EMT to Hiker

In 2000, Harrison Ford used his helicopter to airlift an EMT to a dehydrated hiker on Table Mountain in Wyoming.

2001: Parenting Calista Flockhart's Adopted Son

Since 2001, Harrison Ford is the parent to a son that Calista Flockhart had adopted before they met.

2002: Meeting Calista Flockhart

In 2002, Harrison Ford met actress Calista Flockhart at the Golden Globe Awards.

2002: Ant species named after Ford

In 2002, 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.

May 30, 2003: Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

On May 30, 2003, Harrison Ford received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

2003: Publicly Condemned 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.

2004: Divorce from Melissa Mathison

In 2004, Harrison Ford divorced Melissa Mathison, finalizing their separation from 2000.

2008: Spike TV's Guy's Choice Award

In 2008, Harrison Ford received Spike TV's Guy's Choice Award for "Brass Balls".

2009: Engagement to Calista Flockhart

In 2009, Harrison Ford proposed to Calista Flockhart over Valentine's Day weekend.

2009: Awards for involvement in aviation

In 2009, Harrison Ford received the Living Legends of Aviation Award and the Experimental Aircraft Association's Freedom of Flight Award for his involvement in general aviation.

2009: Signed petition for 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 in relation to his 1977 charge for drugging and raping a 13-year-old girl.

June 15, 2010: Marriage to Calista Flockhart

On June 15, 2010, Harrison Ford married Calista Flockhart in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

2010: Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy

In 2010, Harrison Ford received the Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy.

September 2013: Interview in Indonesia and Environmental Concerns

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 faced accusations of "harassing state institutions" and were threatened with deportation. Ford later expressed concerns regarding Indonesia's environmental degradation to the Indonesian President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

2013: Al Ueltschi Humanitarian Award

In 2013, Harrison Ford received the Al Ueltschi Humanitarian Award.

June 11, 2014: Ankle Injury During Filming

On June 11, 2014, Harrison Ford fractured his ankle on the set of Star Wars: The Force Awakens when a hydraulic door fell on him, requiring hospitalization.

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March 5, 2015: Emergency Plane Landing on Golf Course

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. Ford sustained a broken pelvis, a broken ankle, and other injuries and was taken to Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.

2015: Death of Melissa Mathison

In 2015, Harrison Ford's ex-wife, Melissa Mathison, passed away.

July 28, 2016: Flew the two millionth Young Eagle

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

2016: Carrie Fisher's Autobiography Release

In 2016, Carrie Fisher revealed in her autobiography, The Princess Diarist, that she and Ford had a three-month affair in 1976.

The Princess Diarist

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February 13, 2017: Taxiway Landing 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 that was holding short of the runway.

2019: Speech at United Nations Climate Action Summit

In 2019, Harrison Ford delivered an impassioned speech at the United Nations' Climate Action Summit in New York, speaking on behalf of Conservation International. He addressed the destruction of the Amazon rainforest and its effect on climate change and urged the audience to listen to 'angry young people'.

April 24, 2020: Runway Incursion at Los Angeles Hawthorne Airport

On April 24, 2020, while piloting his Husky at Los Angeles Hawthorne Airport, Harrison Ford crossed a runway where another aircraft was landing. The FAA reported that the planes were approximately 3,600 feet apart, and there was no risk of collision. Ford's representative stated that he "misheard" an instruction from air traffic control.

2020: Endorsed Joe Biden's presidential campaign

In 2020, Harrison Ford endorsed Joe Biden's presidential campaign against Trump, citing a desire to support candidates who prioritize the environment. He also worked with The Lincoln Project to produce an ad attacking Trump's handling of Anthony Fauci.