Quotes

Being happy is something you have to learn. I often surprise myself by saying "Wow, this is it. I guess I'm happy. I got a home I love. A career that I love. I'm even feeling more and more at peace with myself." If there's something else to happiness, let me know. I'm ambitious for that, too.

I could take Sean Connery in a fight... I could definitely take him.

I'm addicted to Altoids. I call them 'acting pills.'

It's very little trouble for me to accomodate my fans, unless I'm actually taking a pee at the time.

The actor's popularity is evanescent; applauded today, forgotten tomorrow.

There is no child left within me, none whatsoever.

We all have big changes in our lives that are more or less a second chance.

You know you're getting old when all the names in your black book have M. D. after them.

It's a little-known fact, but I wanted Han Solo to die at the end of Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983). I thought it would give more weight and resonance. But George Lucas wasn't sympathetic. He didn't want me killed by those teddy bear guys.

[To cinema owners in Las Vegas] I'll make you a deal. I'll try to keep making films that put people in your theatre seats and you try to keep their shoes from sticking to the floor.

[On being a leading man] I'm like a fireman. When I go out on a call, I want to put out a big fire, I don't want to put out a fire in a dumpster.

I don't use any particular method. I'm from the lets-pretend school of acting.

I used to shake my head, as in "No, I just look like him." But that's not fair. So I said to those little old ladies at Trenton airport, "Yes, I am Harrison Ford". And they still didn't believe it was me.

[On playing Indianna Jones again] No one wants to see a hero have to pick up his cane to hit someone, but I'm still quite fit enough to fake it.

[On his marriage to Melissa Mathison] It was just part of the continuum of the relationship . . . I don't know if I ever proposed to her.

I don't do stunts - I do running, jumping and falling down. After 25 years I know exactly what I'm doing.

I don't think I've mastered anything.I'm still wrestling with the same frustrations, the same issues, the same problems as I always did. That's what life is like.

[When asked: If heaven exists, what would you want God to say to you at the pearly gates] You're a lot better looking in person.

You know you are getting old when all the names in your black book have MD after them.

I think I did have a reputation for being grumpy. I don't think I'm grumpy. I have opinions. I have an independent vision. I am a purposeful person. But on a daily basis, I think I'm other than grumpy. I think it is a case where I am coming to do business and not there just to be flattered and cajoled and used.

The loss of anonymity is something that nobody can prepare you for. When it happened, I recognized that I'd lost one of the most valuable things in life. To this day, I'm not all that happy about it.

Once a film is finished, it's over for me. I'm on to something else. [explaining his disinterest in reliving the role of Han Solo, even after the Star Wars trilogy was reissued in 1997]

[Acknowledging that George Lucas and Steven Spielberg originally wanted another actor to play Indiana Jones]: "My playing Indy was mentioned to me about only six weeks before shooting started, but being second choice wasn't at all offensive. I would always assume that it would be normal for a director - once having worked with an actor in a particular part - not to think of him for something else. I'd presume that he'd want to accentuate the difference between the two characters by having another actor. I was more than happy when they did ask me to play Indiana Jones, because it promised to be a terrific role in a great film.

I started by chasing a Folger's commercial. But I just somehow couldn't manage to say, 'Honey, that's a great cup of coffee.' [on the early days of his career]

Failure in all other fields. [on what made him choose acting as a profession]

There have been times in my life when I have felt I was lonely, but I don't think you want to live your life in order to mitigate against loneliness. - from People magazine (June 23, 2003 issue)

[Asked if he would ever play Indiana Jones again] In a New York minute.

[Asked if he would ever play Han Solo again] No, because I have outgrown that character.

[After his first screen test] The studio guy told me, Kid, you have no future in this business." I said, "Why?" He said, "When Tony Curtis first walked onscreen carrying a bag of groceries -- a bag of groceries! -- you took one look at him and said, 'THAT'S a movie star! I said, Weren't you supposed to say, 'That's a grocery delivery boy?

I had no expectation of the level of adulation that would come my way. I just wanted to make a living with a regular role in a television series.

Different clothes, different character. That's how I feel about it. [From an interview explaining that Indiana Jones was not the same character as Han Solo]

[Talking about Blade Runner (1982)]: It could have been so much more than a cult movie.

Starring in a science fiction film doesn't mean you have to act science fiction.

[Talking about George Lucas]: He doesn't really understand the nature of acting. He's like 'It's right there, it's right there. I wrote it, it's there, just do it.' But you can't just do it that easily.

Whoever had the bright idea of putting Indiana Jones in a leather jacket and a fedora in the jungle ought to be dragged into the street and shot.

[Talking about the appeal of Indiana Jones]: "Indiana Jones is always getting in way over his head and just barely getting out by the skin of his teeth.

(asked if he believes in "the Force":) I think the Force is in you. Force yourself.