A tip of the “Indy” hat today to Harrison Ford. The revered, legendary actor, who has thrilled and delighted audiences all over the world with his many portrayals of beloved characters in cinema, especially intergalactic scavenger Han Solo and fearless archeologist Indiana Jones, celebrates his 70th birthday today!
Ford stands as one of Hollywood’s most successful and profitable actors of all time. Entering his fifth decade of film acting, slowly getting his start as a known figure on celluloid on films such as American Graffiti and The Conversation (directed by George Lucas and Francis Ford Coppola respectively), Ford hit paydirt with his portrayal of Han Solo in 1977’s Star Wars. His character of Solo, the reckless, wise cracking, handsome space trucker, was a standout and highlight in a film full of them. Ford reprised the character in the next two sequels of the franchise.
Ford found almost just as much equal success with his portrayal of Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark. That character, which found Ford traipsing all over the four corners of the earth, dangerously and breathtakingly swashbuckling his way to find treasures, was another humungous hit with movie goers, and he wound up appearing in three films after that as the character. By this point, Ford was one of Hollywood’s top shelf actors.
He’s also appeared in many other productions that have been memorable, on cult and commercial levels. Blade Runner arguably stands alone as his greatest, most loved film independent of the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises. Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, this dark and revolutionary sci-fi Ridley Scott production is another highlight in the Ford canon. He’s also appeared in such classic films as The Fugitive, a portrayal of Jack Ryan in film adaptations of Tom Clancy’s novels Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger, Force 10 From Navarone, Witness, The Frisco Kid with Gene Wilder, and so many more. The filmography of Ford stretches a mile wide and river deep.
So let’s all find our favorite Ford production, pop it on the screen, celebrate it and give the man a toast today, a milestone for him, as he starts his 70th year of his life. Happy Birthday Harrison Ford, a true maverick among his peers and a true giant in cinema for now, historically and always.
Happy Birthday Harrison Love you lots from Your biggest fan KAren Musgrave
Comment by Httm_cell — July 14, 2012 @ 12:08 pm