Few stars have had the career that Harrison Ford has had. Throughout his 58-year career, Ford has become a genuine fan favorite. As he turned 80 earlier this week, fans reminisced on his legendary career, with many fans considering him one of the most beloved movie stars of all time.
Ford was launched into stardom following his performance as Han Solo in Star Wars: A New Hope. He followed one big-time franchise with another when he was cast as Indiana Jones and became one of the biggest action stars of all time. While he is known as an action star, Ford has delivered stellar performances for decades, even earning an Oscar nomination earlier in his career.
10 American Graffiti Was His Breakout Role
Earning his first acting credit in 1964, Harrison Ford’s first breakout role came in the George Lucas-directed American Graffiti. As the hot-headed Bob Falfa, Ford is part of the most iconic scene in the film when his character challenges John Milner, played by Paul le Mat, to a race.
The scene is great and filled with excellent one-liners from Ford, who steals the show during the scene. This would not be the last time Ford collaborated with Lucas as the up-and-coming director went on to cast the young actor in Star Wars just four years later.
9 Air Force One Soars Behind Ford’s Performance
For the second time, Ford shared the screen with a worthy adversary, this time with Gary Oldman delivering a truly menacing performance that steals every scene and has led to Ford’s performance going under the radar. He is great in the role of President James Marshall, adding another larger-than-life character to his resume and delivering a balanced portrayal.
The Wall Street Journal ranked Marshall as the best fictional president, a worthy accolade for the character. Not to mention, Ford delivers “Get off my plane!” with such confidence and energy that it is one of the most iconic lines ever.
8 His Performance In What Lies Beneath Was Haunting
Traditionally the action hero who always saved the day, Ford’s performance in What Lies Beneath was a significant shift from his previous work. He was the true villain of this story, but the reveal only came in the film’s final act, with the majority of the film featuring a performance that kept audiences on their toes.
While the film received mixed reviews from fans and critics alike, Ford and his co-star Michelle Pfeiffer were praised for their performances, despite an unoriginal story.
7 Star Wars The Force Awakens Was A Passing Of The Torch
Over 32 years since his last appearance in a galaxy far, far away, Harrison Ford did not miss a beat as Han Solo in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. While the sequel trilogy failed to establish a solid group of new generation Star Wars heroes, Ford does his best to pass the torch, including some excellent scenes with Rey and Finn.
His best work, however, comes when he is reunited with Carrie Fisher’s Leia, and the two pick things up right where they left off. Solo’s death at the hands of Kylo is tragic, and Ford adds so much emotion with every glance, leading to one of the best scenes in Star Wars.
6 Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade Was Ford’s Best Turn As The Daring Archeologist
Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade was the penultimate film of the Spielberg-directed series. Connery and Ford make the perfect comedic duo, with some of the series' funniest moments, but they are also the heart of the movie, with some of the best growth for the character and Ford showcasing great depth.
It was the perfect end for one of the best action stars of all time. Still, Ford would dawn the fedora and whip one more time in The Kingdom of The Crystal Skull, a step-down from his terrific performance in The Last Crusade.
5 Regarding Henry Was One Of Ford’s Most Challenging Roles
One of Ford’s most underrated movies, Regarding Henry was not a box office giant like so many of his films before, making just $88 million at the box office on a $25 million budget. It was a shift for Ford in more ways than one, with the veteran actor taking on the role of Henry Turner, a hotshot lawyer who is shot in the head and must re-learn the basic functions of life, including moving and communicating.
The movie’s story falters at points, but there is no denying that Ford gives a great performance, one that many of his fans have probably missed.
4 Blade Runner Has Become A Cult Classic
Whether Rick Deckard was a replicant or a human has dominated discussions for the last 40-plus years, and the film needed a brilliant actor to deliver such an ambiguous performance. Ford brought his A-game and then some with a true change of pace following his performances in Star Wars and Raiders of the Lost Ark.
He was looking for a more dramatic role with more depth. He found it in Blade Runner, and while he has talked about issues during the production, there is no doubt that Ford was excellent in one of the best sci-fi films ever made.
3 The Empire Strikes Back Put Han Solo At The Forefront
More comedic relief during Star Wars: A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back features one of Ford’s best performances as the character is given more depth and a brilliant arc. Ford plays the character so well, conveying his genuine conflict between saving his own skin and his loyalty to his friends and the rebellion.
Fans still talk about the “I know” response from Han to Leia, saying she loved him, and that scene would not have been the same without Ford’s brilliant improvisation, giving the movie an iconic moment.
2 The Fugitive Was The Perfect Mystery Thriller
Ford followed a brilliant run in the 80s as one of the best action stars in Hollywood with one of his best performances as Dr. Richard Kimble in The Fugitive. Tommy Lee Jones winning the Oscar for his performance in the film overshadowed Ford’s superb performance.
Ford is brilliant in the role, and his natural charisma draws the audience in as they root for him in his quest to prove his innocence. From an innocent man accused of murdering his wife to seeking revenge on the man that killed her, Ford displays incredible range in one of his best roles.
1 Witness Earned Ford His First Oscar Nomination
When fans think of Harrison Ford, characters like Han Solo, Indiana Jones, and Jack Ryan will almost always come to mind, but few of Ford’s performances were better than his portrayal of Sergeant John Book. Book is a detective looking to protect a family from a corrupt police officer in a compelling story that was a sleeper hit in 1985.
Such a perfect follow-up to his light-hearted and action hero roles of the early 80s, Ford's performance in Witness resulted in his first and currently only Oscar nomination, which he undoubtedly deserved.