An iconic actor's career is something to see. For years, even decades, the film legend Harrison Ford has been making his mark in the entertainment world through generations of audiences. As one of the most dynamic actors throughout the entirety of his career, Ford is one of the most beloved and recognized actors out there. With the upcoming release of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, where Ford revisits the most iconic role of his career, the Indiana Jones, it is time to highlight some of the projects that started it all.
Ford has been in the acting game since he made his film debut in 1966 in a film called Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round. Since then, he has cemented himself as an acting legend. From his unforgettable roles such as Indiana Jones in the groundbreaking franchise and Rick Deckard in Blade Runner to his constant presence in the film world today, Ford's career is full of some of the best the entertainment world has to offer. Come with us to rank the first 10 films in his career.
10 Judgment: The Court Martial of Lieutenant William Calley (1975)
The crime drama Judgment: The Court Martial of Lieutenant William Calley came out in 1975, and Ford plays Frank Crowder. The film follows the trial and ultimate conviction of William Calley, who was charged with the murder of over 100 people, including children. This film explores the impact of events on the public opinion surrounding U.S. involvement in Vietnam at the time.
9 Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round (1966)
Every actor has got to start somewhere right? The age-old story of working as an extra until your big break is a tale as old as time. In fact, even the best actors out there today, like Ford, had to do just that. In 1966, Ford goes uncredited in an old crime drama film Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round, where he plays a "Bellhop Pager" according to IMDb. This film follows James Coburn as Eli Kotch as he uses his irresistible charm to seduce women and make his way out of prison. Once out, his escapades don't hinder him as he plots to rob a bank in his biggest heist to date.
8 Journey to Shiloh (1968)
Westerns are classic cinema, and Ford definitely dipped his feet into the beloved genre. In 1968, Journey to Shiloh followed a group of cowboys as they travel to fight for the Confederate army in the Civil War. Ford plays Willie Bill Bearden alongside James Caan, Michael Sarrazin, Jan-Michael Vincent, and Brenda Scott.
7 A Time For Killing (1967)
Ford is the kind of actor that can do it all. Sticking to just films or sticking to just TV was not on his agenda. Throughout the early years of his career, Ford dabbled with parts in both films and TV. During this time, one of the first films in his career was the 1967 Western film, A Time For Killing, where Ford plays Lt Shaffer. Also starring in the film are Glenn Ford as Maj. Tom Wolcott, Inger Stevens as Emily Biddle, and George Hamilton as Capt. Dorrit Bentley.
6 Getting Straight (1970)
Ford plays Jake in the comedic drama film Getting Straight. This film came out in 1970 and follows Elliot Gould's character Harry Bailey as he navigates the activism climate on his campus while pursuing his master's. This film explores the complex intricacies of student-led politics in an interesting way.
5 Luv (1967) (Uncredited)
The early stages of any actor's career, big roles are hard to come by and some definitely don't stick. For's earliest projects had him playing background characters. In 1967's Luv, he is just that. This comedy follows two men facing personal problems: Harry is ready to take his life and Milt has fallen out of love with his wife Ellen. Well, they both try to find ways out of their situations by trying to get Ellen to fall in love with Harry.
4 The Intruders (1970)
The Intruders is a 1970 TV Western, where Ford plays the character Carl. This film has all the makings of your classic Western: a small town, guns, and rivaling gangs! What more could you ask for? If you are a fan of Westerns in general, or you are looking to explore the earlier projects of Ford's career, this is definitely an entertaining watch.
3 Zabriskie Point (1970)
As we mentioned before, every actor had to start off somewhere! Ford is a student that gets arrested in Zabriskie Point, a drama film that came out in 1970. The film follows a young man who is found guilty of murdering an agent after an altercation between police and some protesters. He flees in a plane and ends up in Zabriskie Point. In terms of impact, Ford's part does not do all that much. However, we will still give credit to this film as a solid part of Ford's filmography.
2 American Graffiti (1973)
One can call this a breakout project. American Graffiti is a 1973 drama comedy that stars Ron Howard as Steve, Richard Dreyfuss as Curt, Paul Le Mat as John, Charles Martin Smith as Terry, and Ford as Bob Falfa. This incredible film follows a group of California teens during their last day of summer vacation as they approach adulthood, having seemingly endless possibilities ahead of them. This film scored an incredible 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and is still a standout project in Ford's career so far.
1 The Conversation (1974)
There is no doubt that Harrison Ford is an incredibly gifted actor. The best actors in the game know how to morph to fit into a variety of genres. The Conversation, which came out in 1974, is Ford's entrance into the mystery thriller genre, and it did not disappoint. Harry Caul, played by Gene Hackman gets hired to follow a young couple throughout San Francisco. He and his associate record a conversation between the two that has their eyebrows raised and their instincts on high alert. Ford plays Martin Stett, the aide of the client that hires Harry Caul for the job.
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