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most notable roles has always been a performer with an innate knowledge of people: their honesty and deceit; their reluctance and sense of responsibility. It's the times when he gives The Chosen One a helpful push in the right direction — and follows his own advice — that makes him a hero of the galaxy. It's the moment he sees the half-human fugitives he's meant to hunt as something more, and whole, that propels a sci-fi flick into a seminal work of the genre. Ford's humanist approach is all the more compelling in roles where he's gone against Hollywood's expectations and played the villain. Whether it's been as the manipulative husband Dr. Norman Spencer in What Lies Beneath or the obsessive patriarch Allie Fox in The Mosquito Coast, what makes those moments of betrayal and disaster all the more memorable to audiences is everything that happens before. The scenes where his characters shift from their most charming, doting and morally upright to manipulative, controlling and abusive. "I [perform] because it's what I want to do; what I know how to do," said Ford in a 1997 interview with Charlie Rose. "It's where I feel the most engaged, challenged and useful. There's nothing that I do that stimulates me more, scares me and engages me as much as making movies." Yet Ford has found just as much success on the small screen. Having previously guest-starred on TV shows such as Gunsmoke, The Mod Squad and Ironside, he has gained praise for his two most recent television projects, Yellowstone prequel 1923 and, most notably, Shrinking. Both projects have allowed Ford to continue to demonstrate his range for making his characters feel as noble as any gunslinging lawman of the Wild West or as familiar as that one guy in the office who everybody knows. As the Dutton family patriarch, Jacob, in 1923, Ford's performances come with fire in his eyes and grit in his voice. But while his sheriff's badge glints silver, the man underneath is shown to be desperate to keep his family's livelihood and town from falling into chaos. On the other end of the spectrum, therapist Dr. Paul Rhoades is a role where Ford uses improvisation and embodies a gruff, "straight man" brand of humor. Yet, it's the tender moments, when his character is shown to enjoy spending time with his doctor-turned-girlfriend or battling with the increasing symptoms of Parkinson's Disease that stay with viewers. Season two, episode 12, "The Last Thanksgiving," is a certified fan favorite, and Ford's work on the show earned him a first-time Screen Actors Guild Awards ® nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series in 2025. If good things get better over time, then Ford's six decades of work prove the old adage is especially true with good storytelling. With experience and a willingness to explore and test one's own boundaries comes a unique talent: an ability to let audiences be in awe about the best and worst embodiment of a person without judgment. "I found a calling, a life in storytelling; an identity in pretending to be other people. The work I do with other actors is one of the great joys of my life. My career is built on their work, as well as the work of writers, directors and every single cast member — every crew member I've ever been on the set with. I've had incredible collaborators every step of the way, and being able to deliver the work we create together to an audience is an honor and a privilege. … [Through it] I've come to know myself," said Ford. THE HUMAN ABOVE ALL As well-known as Ford is for his pro- fessional work, his life away from the limelight is as dynamic as his most heroic portrayals. The urban legends surrounding his life as a carpenter are quite well-known to fans. Ford is just as famously known as a real-life pilot and has volunteered for many search-and-rescue efforts. Additionally, his early knowledge of the wilderness, stemming from both a love of nature and early years spent as a Boy Scout, has developed into tireless advocacy for environmental causes both in the United States and abroad, including his delivery of testimony before the United Nations Climate Summit for forest and ocean conservation. In 2018, Ford was a recipient of the SAG-AFTRA Foundation's Artist Inspiration Award for what was then 25 years of service to environmental nonprofit Conservation International, as well as his longtime commitment as a member of the SAG-AFTRA Foundation's Actors' Council. In the end, it may be that Ford will be remembered as a person who chose for both his life and career the responsibility of advocacy, both for his fellow actors and the world. Said SAG-AFTRA President Sean Astin of the Life Achievement Award honoree, "Harrison Ford is a singular presence in American life; an actor whose iconic characters have shaped world culture. His career has been endlessly exciting, always returning to his love of acting. We are honored to celebrate a legend whose impact on our craft is indelible." Nominated and voted on by the SAG-AFTRA National Honors and Tributes Committee, the Life Achievement Award is awarded annually at the Actor Awards. Considered the union's highest honor, the award is bestowed to those whose professional and philanthropic contributions bring prestige to the craft of acting and attention to public service efforts. Ford is the awards' 61st recipient. • Harrison Ford delivers his acceptance speech after receiving the SAG-AFTRA Life Achievement Award. CHRISTOPHER POLK/SHUTTERSTOCK 76 SAG-AFTR A | Spring 2026 | sagaftra.org