Harrison Ford has an impressive career. He is a renowned actor known for iconic roles like Han Solo and Indiana Jones. Ford, known for his acting chops, also did carpentry work in Francis Ford Coppola’s offices (as a favor to a friend) before auditioning for an acting role.
He worked as a carpenter for years before he found success as Han Solo in the Star Wars franchise and became a major star in Hollywood. But thanks to his carpentry skills, he was able to secure a lead role in Star Wars.
Harrison Ford Worked For Francis Ford Coppola as a Carpenter
Harrison Ford had a family to feed, and at that time, he wasn’t making enough money as an actor, so he started working as a carpenter. Say it a coincidence or anything, but at the same time, Ford’s friend had installed millwork for the entrance to Francis Ford Coppola’s offices but couldn’t find a carpenter. That’s when he asked Ford to install it.
The Indiana Jones star said that his friend “appealed” to him, and he got ready to do it. So, the next morning, while Ford was installing millwork, George Lucas and Richard Dreyfuss entered the office to meet potential actors for Star Wars. By coincidence, he noticed Ford when he was handling a carpentry job for Coppola’s office. That’s when the director invited him for an audition. The actor said to Vanity Fair:
“I was working on a elaborate portico entrance to Francis Ford Coppola’s offices, working as a carpenter when George walked in with Richard Dreyfuss to being the first of the interviews for Star Wars. Somehow that rang a bell with George, and I became, eventually, Han Solo.”
This wasn’t the first time Ford was working with Lucas. The actor had already worked with the director in American Graffiti.
Harrison Ford Has Already Collaborated with George Lucas Before Star Wars
Harrison Ford and George Lucas’s relationship is mostly visible from their collaboration for the Star Wars franchise. But before that, they had also worked together. Ford had a small part in the 1973 film American Graffiti, which was directed by young George Lucas.
However, Ford’s role in Star Wars was not guaranteed despite their connection. It’s because Lucas had no desire to include any actors from American Graffiti in Star Wars. In a conversation with Vanity Fair, Ford said:
“I had already done American Graffiti with George Lucas.”
The Hollywood star continued:
“George Lucas made it known that he was not interested in working with anybody that he’d worked with in American Graffiti, that he was looking for new faces.”
Even though Ford’s presence was not confirmed in the Star Wars series, he proved himself and ultimately secured a role as Han Solo. It was the role that helped the actor to establish himself in the industry.
The original Star Wars trilogy starring Harrison Ford is available for streaming on Disney+.
Source: Vanity Fair
