Harrison Ford’s father was Irish, his mother Russian-Jewish. He was a lackluster student at Maine Township High School East in Park Ridge Illinois. After dropping out of Ripon College in Wisconsin, where he did some acting and later summer stock, he signed a Hollywood contract with Columbia and later Universal. His roles in movies and TV ("Ironside" in 1967, "The Virginian" in 1962) remained secondary and, discouraged, he turned to a career in professional carpentry. He came back big four years later, however, as Bob Falfa in George Lucas’
American Graffiti (1973).
From Star Wars to stardom
Four years after that, he reached colossal fame with the role of Han Solo in George Lucas’ legendary
Star Wars Episode IV : A New Hope (1977). Another four years and Ford was Indiana Jones in
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981). Still another four years and he received Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for his role as John Book in
Witness (1985). All he managed four years after that was his third starring success as
Indiana Jones. In fact, many of his earlier successful roles led to sequels as did his more recent portrayal of Jack Ryan in
Patriot Games (1992). Another Golden Globe nomination came his way for the part of Dr. Richard Kimble in
The Fugitive (1993). Ford has also been the star of many high grossing Hollywood blockbusters such as
Air Force One which have distanced him from his famous
Star Wars and
Indiana Jones roles.
A real-life adventurer
Harrison Ford is also a real-life adventurer : he is an experienced pilot of both planes and helicopters. He also maintains an 800-acre ranch in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, approximately half of which he has donated as a nature reserve. On several occasions, he has personally provided emergency helicopter services at the behest of local authorities, in one instance rescuing a hiker overcome by dehydration. He is the current Chairman of the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Young Eagles program.
Very close to nature and concerned with environmental problems, Harrison Ford is an Honorary Chair of the Indianapolis Prize, the world’s leading award for animal conservation. It includes a US$100,000 cash award and the Lilly Medal, which are presented every two years to a conservationist who has made substantial contributions toward the sustainability of an animal species or group of species.
The first Jules Verne Adventure Film Festival is proud to pay tribute to his tremendous career as an actor and to salute his commitment in Environmental Conservation by presenting him with the Jules Verne Award - Spirit of Nature.
