"I could live without the fuss"

21. 9.2000
Gala Magazine
(translated by YG)

He is one of the most popular actors in the world. Maybe because Harrison Ford is as normal as the nice guy next-door. What will he be like? A bit like Dr Kimble or rather like Indiana Jones? Then America's most successful action hero is standing in the door-frame of his suite: big and broad-shouldered, with the famous crooked smile and the graying tousled hair. "Nice to meet you," he murmurs in his deep bass. What a man. Harrison Ford, 58, is America's biggest action star. With "Star Wars", "Indiana Jones" or "The Fugitive" he is in the top ten list of the most successful movies of all time. A megastar without affectations. An everyday hero, who, in private, does sometimes even go into action as life saver or helper at a breakdown. GALA met the actor in Munich, where he presented his new movie "What Lies Beneath" (start: Sept. 28th). The Hollywood star is a gentleman from head to toe. He sets the chair in place for me, offers something to drink, and only then does he himself take a cup of coffee. During the interview the superstar gave away what he's afraid of, what makes him really happy - and why he prefers Wyoming to New York.

Q: Mr Ford, not long ago you were again voted movie star with the most sex appeal.

A: To be honest, I find this title very amusing. That has nothing to do with my profession. I don't find myself sexy at all.

Q: Well, but sex symbols do belong to the movie business.

A: Yeah, I know. But I am now 58 years old, have gray hair and four children. That's not sexy. Moreover, I would rather like to be famous for my roles than for my looks.

Q: Whom do you find sexy?

A: Michelle Pfeiffer, for example. Although the outer appearance is not so important. I find women sexy, who are self-confident and open-minded.

Q: Are there certain actresses with whom you would love to stand in front of the camera?

A: No, not really. I don't approach a project this way, you know. The story must be right, the script good, then maybe I make suggestions whom I could imagine in the roles. But there is no dream cast.

Q: Is a good script also the reason why you venture near Indiana Jones again?

A: What do you mean, venture? I love this character. To travel to exotic countries, to shoot action scenes and to bring out the little boy in me once again is a real challenge to me and big fun.

Q: But when shooting starts, you will already be 61...

A: The old topic - my age. What can I say but: so what? I feel fit and I'm ready for the part.

Q: Do you have a fitness plan?

A: Not really. I'm not one of those guys who go daily to the studio and lift dumb-bells. I play tennis five times a week and do press-ups regularly. So far this has been enough.

Q: What are your plans?

A: I always set myself new goals. But not so far ahead. I make sure that I deliver good work and that I survive in the Hollywood circus.

Q: Survive? But you are the topstar...

A: Well, sure, but you never know...

Q: Is Harrison Ford afraid of something?

A: Right. That I will no longer fit into the Hollywood scheme someday, that I will no longer be necessary.

Q: Can you imagine a life without movies?

A: I could live without the fuss, but it is my job, and if you're in it for as long as I am, then you become a bit attached to it.

Q: Are you maybe also a bit attached to success?

A: Maybe a little bit. Because it does allow me to lead a wonderful life. I only need to make one movie a year, can afford many things and enjoy my spare time.

Q: $ 25 mio. a movie, that's enough to go shopping...

A: I know that the sums that are being paid are astronomical. 25 million are a lot, but I take them. Wouldn't you?

Q: You are worth the money, aren't you?

A: My success didn't come overnight. I had to wait 15 years until I was able to make a living out of acting. Now I'm on top, and that's fine. My success consists of a little bit of luck, hard work and love for the job.

Q: And what about talent?

A: To be honest, I consider myself only moderately talented. Somehow I was always in the right place at the right time. The rest, as I have said, is luck and work.

Q: That sounds as if acting was a craft...

A: That's just the way I see it, as a craft. My task is to deliver a neat and solid product.

Q: Can you imagine what your life would have been like without the success?

A: That's difficult. I just cannot imagine where I would be now without "Star Wars" or "Indiana Jones" - maybe I would still be a carpenter, would live in the hills of California and build some film sets.

Q: You don't live in Califormia anymore. Why not?

A: I still have my house there that I purchased twenty years ago. But I don't like Hollywood. Moreover I hate the city life. Too much hectic rush, and all the time you have to go to some meetings. That's not my cup of tea.

Q: Today you live in Wyoming. Why there of all places?

A: I have a ranch there. It's wonderful there. This is just what I need after the stress of making a movie. Pure nature.

Q: Do you have friends in Hollywood?

A: Few. In my profession you get to know so many people, you work with them for a short period of time, and then you never meet again. My friends are doctors and pilots in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The people I often deal with are just normal people.

Q: What's happiness to you?

A: Happiness to me is when I become totally absorbed into something and thus forget everything else around me.

Q: Like?

A: Flying. It's a dream and my very passion. You should come with me some day. Up there you forget the earth, it's just so wonderful and a great feeling of freedom. It is so beautiful that you never want to go down again.

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