LOS ANGELES:
Hollywood icon Harrison Ford will be honoured with a lifetime achievement award from SAG-AFTRA, the main union representing film and television actors, the organization has announced, recognising a career that has spanned more than five decades and produced some of the most enduring characters in cinema history.
Ford, whose work across both the big and small screen has made him one of the most recognisable figures in global popular culture, will receive the SAG-AFTRA Life Achievement Award at the rebranded Actor Awards, formerly known as the Screen Actors Guild Awards, in March. The award is presented annually to a performer who exemplifies the “finest ideals of the acting profession” and whose contributions have had a lasting impact on the industry.
The honour represents the latest recognition for an actor whose characters — from the adventurous Indiana Jones to the roguish Han Solo — are deeply embedded in the cultural fabric of the 20th and 21st centuries. Few performers have achieved Ford’s rare balance of critical respect, box-office success and long-term relevance across generations of moviegoers.
Announcing the award, SAG-AFTRA President Sean Astin praised Ford’s influence on both cinema and society. “Harrison Ford is a singular presence in American life; an actor whose iconic characters have shaped world culture,” Astin said. “His career has been endlessly exciting, always returning to his love of acting. We are honoured to celebrate a legend whose impact on our craft is indelible.”
Ford’s rise to stardom was not immediate. Before achieving fame, he worked as a carpenter while struggling to secure consistent acting roles. His breakthrough came with a supporting performance as Bob Falfa in George Lucas’s 1973 coming-of-age film American Graffiti. That role proved pivotal, leading to further collaborations with Lucas and setting the stage for Ford’s entry into one of the most influential film franchises of all time.
In 1977, Ford was cast as Han Solo in Star Wars, a role that would transform him into an international star and help launch a cinematic universe that continues to dominate popular culture decades later. He followed that success with another career-defining role as Indiana Jones, beginning with Raiders of the Lost Ark in 1981. The character’s blend of wit, vulnerability and action-hero bravado became a template for adventure films and cemented Ford’s status as a leading man.
Beyond blockbuster franchises, Ford has also earned acclaim for more introspective and complex performances. He is perhaps best known among critics for his portrayal of replicant hunter Rick Deckard in Ridley Scott’s 1982 science-fiction classic Blade Runner. Initially divisive, the film has since achieved cult status, with Ford’s restrained and morally ambiguous performance widely praised. He reprised the role 35 years later in Blade Runner 2049, bringing emotional depth and a sense of aging melancholy that resonated with audiences and critics alike.
Reacting to the announcement, Ford said he was “deeply honoured” to be selected for the prestigious award. “To be acknowledged by my fellow actors means a great deal to me,” he said. “I’ve spent most of my life on film sets, working alongside incredible actors and crews, and I’ve always felt grateful to be part of this community.”
In recent years, Ford has successfully expanded his presence on television, winning over new audiences and critics with a series of high-profile roles. He stars alongside Oscar-winner Helen Mirren in the Western drama 1923, a prequel to the hit series Yellowstone, where his performance has been praised for its gravitas and emotional weight. He has also showcased a lighter, more vulnerable side in the comedy-drama Shrinking, further demonstrating his versatility as an actor well into his later career.
Ford now joins a distinguished list of previous recipients of the SAG-AFTRA Life Achievement Award, including Robert De Niro, Jane Fonda, Morgan Freeman and Elizabeth Taylor — performers whose careers have left an indelible mark on the art of acting. Being honoured by SAG-AFTRA is considered particularly meaningful, as the award is bestowed by fellow performers rather than studios or critics.
The upcoming ceremony also marks a new chapter for the awards themselves. The 32nd Annual Actor Awards Presented by SAG-AFTRA will be held on March 1 and streamed live on Netflix, reflecting the evolving landscape of the entertainment industry and the growing role of streaming platforms in reaching global audiences.
For Ford, the award serves as both a celebration of past achievements and a testament to a career defined by longevity, adaptability and enduring appeal. In an industry known for rapid change, Harrison Ford remains a rare constant — a performer whose work continues to resonate across generations and whose legacy is firmly secured in cinematic history.
