Harrison Ford is an American actor and film producer from the Chicago area. Ford’s interest in acting developed after he took drama class in high school to help overcome his shyness. After graduating he went to Los Angeles to apply to work at radio station doing voice over’s. He didn't get the job but later signed a contract with Columbia Pictures to play small parts in various films. He made his first film appearance in Dead Hat on a Merry-Go-Round in 1966. With more experience he landed parts in series such as Gunsmoke, Love, and Kung Fu before becoming an international movie star after starring in the 1977 film Star Wars.