Oscar nominee Harrison Ford has been officially declared a legend — a Disney Legend that is.
On Sunday at the D23 Expo, Ford was honored with the hall-of-fame-style award from the Walt Disney Company. Because Lucasfilm is owned by Disney, Ford’s most famous roles — like Han Solo from “Star Wars” and the adventuring archaeologist Indiana Jones — cement him as one of the studio’s most iconic actors. Next February, Ford continues his legendary run at the studio by starring in Marvel Studios’ “Captain America: Brave New World” as Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, the U.S. President who memorably transforms into Red Hulk.
Bob Iger took the stage to present Ford with the first award of the night. “Before he was the captain of the Millennium Falcon or a globetrotting archeologist, Harrison Ford was, like so many, an aspiring actor who came to Hollywood to pursue their dreams,” Iger teased to thunderous applause at the Honda Center. “He is the definition of a leading man, who stands alone in a category all his own.”
After a montage of Harrison’s most iconic work, Ford took the stage to an enthusiastic standing ovation. Referencing one of his most iconic “Star Wars” moments, he told the crowd, “I love you, too” (a more direct version of Han Solo’s famous response, “I know.”)
He continued, “I love the life you’ve given me. I love the people that I’ve had the opportunity to work with. Nobody does anything in this business for long. We work in collaboration, no matter what who we are and what we’re doing.”
It’s far from the first time Ford has gotten emotional onstage; in fact, it’s become a bit of a lovely trend. In January, Ford got choked up while accepting the career achievement award from the Critics Choice Association.
“I’m here because of a combination of luck and the work of wonderful directors, writers and filmmakers. I feel enormously lucky,” Ford told the A-list crowd, looking visibly moved by their admiration and applause.
He grew more emotional as he thanked his wife, Calista Flockhart, who “supports me when I need a lot of support — and I need a lot of support.” Then, he saluted his co-stars, many of whom were sitting in the room, like “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” actor Ke Huy Quan. “I’m grateful to all the fine actors … I’ve worked with and I’m deeply happy to have had the opportunities that I’ve had.”
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