(born 1942), U.S. actor. In 1994, Ford was named “Star of the Century” by the National Association of Theatre Owners. Many of his films rank among the highest-grossing movies of all time, and together they earned more than a billion dollars. He often portrayed screen heroes who defeat enemies using cleverness and courage rather than simple physical strength. Ford was born on July 13, 1942, in Chicago, Ill., and grew up in nearby suburbs. He became interested in acting while a student at Ripon College in Wisconsin and left for Hollywood before earning a degree. While appearing at the Laguna Beach Playhouse, he came to the attention of a scout for Columbia Pictures and was soon placed under contract in their New Talent program. He made his motion picture debut with a bit part in the crime drama ‘Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round' (1966). Universal Pictures signed him days after he was dropped by Columbia, but he continued to receive only small roles. Discouraged, he turned to carpentry for income so he could be more choosy about the parts he accepted. A supporting role in the 1960s coming-of-age film ‘American Graffiti' (1973) introduced Ford to Francis Ford Coppola and George Lucas, who served as producer and director, respectively. Ford went on to land parts in the Coppola-directed films ‘The Conversation' (1974) and ‘Apocalypse Now' (1979). The turning point of Ford's career occurred when Lucas cast him as the cynical but heroic space adventurer Han Solo in the blockbuster film ‘Star Wars' (1977). He reprised the role for the sequels ‘The Empire Strikes Back' (1980) and ‘Return of the Jedi' (1983). Ford solidified his standing as a screen star by playing a swashbuckling archaeologist in the Lucas-produced Indiana Jones series of films—‘Raiders of the Lost Ark' (1981), ‘Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom' (1984), and ‘Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade' 1989). Ford starred in screen adaptations of several popular novels, including Scott Turow's ‘Presumed Innocent' (1990) and Tom Clancy's ‘Patriot Games' (1992) and ‘Clear and Present Danger' (1994). He received a nomination for the Academy award for best actor for his role as a homicide detective trying to blend into an Amish community in ‘Witness' (1985). His other films include the science-fiction cult classic ‘Blade Runner' (1982), the romantic comedies ‘Working Girl' (1988) and ‘Sabrina' (1995), and the action thrillers ‘The Fugitive' (1993) and ‘Air Force One' (1997). |