Harrison Ford was a carpenter before becoming an actor, and his carpentry work led him to be cast by George Lucas in 'Star Wars.'
He was cast as Han Solo in 'Star Wars' after initially being hired to build cabinets in George Lucas's home.
Ford's first credited film role was in the 1967 movie 'A Time for Killing,' where he was billed as 'Harrison J. Ford' to avoid confusion with a silent film actor.
He nearly missed out on the role of Indiana Jones in 'Raiders of the Lost Ark,' as Tom Selleck was originally cast but had to drop out due to scheduling conflicts.
Ford is an accomplished pilot and owns several aircraft, including a de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver, which he often flies himself.
He performed many of his own stunts in the Indiana Jones films, earning him a reputation for being a hands-on and fearless actor.
Ford was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in 'Witness' (1985), where he played a detective protecting a young Amish boy.
In addition to his acting career, Ford is a dedicated environmental activist and serves as Vice-Chair of Conservation International, a non-profit environmental organization.
He has a scar on his chin, which he received in a car accident, and it has been incorporated into several of his characters' backstories.
Ford reprised his role as Han Solo in 'Star Wars: The Force Awakens' (2015), making him one of the few actors to play the same character over multiple decades.
He was honored with the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the Golden Globes in 2002 for his contributions to the film industry.
Ford is known for his deep voice and understated acting style, which have become trademarks of his performances.
He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, which he received in 2003, recognizing his long and successful career.
Ford has been involved in several rescue missions as a pilot, using his helicopter to assist in search and rescue operations in Wyoming.
He turned down the role of Alan Grant in 'Jurassic Park,' which eventually went to Sam Neill, as Ford did not want to be typecast in action-adventure roles.