We all know Harrison Ford is a hero onscreen – (Indiana Jones or Han Solo, anyone?) – but did you know he’s a hero in real life too? The actor had a chance to put his hero chops on full display this week, and what he did has people cheering with happiness and relief (that he didn’t, you know, molest someone).
Well, good guys who skirt the edge, like the titular character in Indiana Jones or Han Solo from Star Wars. With a few notable exceptions (Dr. Norman Spencer of What Lies Beneath – remember that?) Ford is almost always the good guy.
In his movies, Ford is almost always an ace pilot with some sort of specialized knowledge – oh, and he usually knows how to fight down and dirty too and can out-snark the snarkiest of them all.
Just like his characters, Ford is an ace pilot who flies both helicopters and planes. In fact, the actor once crashed a vintage two-seater airplane into a golf course due to engine failure. He sustained numerous injuries in the process but likely saved lives by not trying to return to the airport once he discovered the defect.
A new meaning to taking one for the team…
Just this September, he jumped in to direct traffic when cars got backed up in the Midtown Tunnel. He did a good job of it too.
The star was driving with a friend in Santa Paula, an area north of Los Angeles, when they heard a strange sound. It was the sound of a car accident.
According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the unnamed 63-year-old was driving when her car veered left towards the embankment. When she tried to brake, she lost control of the vehicle.
They rushed to the woman and helped her out of the car. As a local police officer, Matt Alonzo stated, “He acted as a good Samaritan, just like everybody else, and tried to help before emergency services arrived.”
Sadly, he didn’t provide any statements or answer any questions. The woman reportedly left her close scrape with minor injuries.
In 2000, Ford saved a stranded hiker in Idaho Falls using his helicopter. He did the same for a 13-year-old Boy Scout lost in Yellowstone National Park.
“Boy, you sure must have earned a merit badge for this one,” Ford reportedly quipped.
Never stop being you, Harrison Ford.