Harrison Ford chokes back tears in emotional speech at SAG Actor Awards

Before presenting the Life Achievement Award, actor Woody Harrelson described Ford as a “living legend” and a friend.

“I’m here to celebrate one of the greatest actors of all time: Leo DiCaprio,” Harrelson joked. “You have more talent in your little finger than I have in mine. Of all the actors in the world, you are one of them. Everyone in this industry knows you.”

Harrelson also called Ford a “true Renaissance man,” as well as an “iconic actor, distinguished pilot, and master carpenter who built his own house.”

“I don’t know how to work the coffee machine, and it’s a French press,” Harrelson joked.

Matt Winkelmeyer via Getty Images

After broadcasting a montage of Ford’s early career and top-grossing films, the 83-year-old actor gave an emotional speech that had the entire audience hanging on his every word.

“I feel incredibly grateful for this kind attention. But, to be clear, I also feel very honored,” Ford said before joking, “That said, it’s a little strange to receive a lifetime achievement award in the middle of my career. It’s a little strange, right? I’m still a working actor!”

Ford, who has nearly 90 acting credits to his name, joked that he was at the event to “receive an award for being alive.”

Additionally, Ford praised “Star Wars” creator George Lucas and “Indiana Jones” director Steven Spielberg and talked about how it wasn’t an overnight success.

“It’s hard to get into this business,” Ford said. “In my case it is a difficult business to get out of. Thank God because I love what I do.”

While crying on stage, Ford explained why he was lucky to work as an actor.

“The stories we tell have a unique ability to create moments of emotional connection. They bring us together,” he said. “So, although we are all at different stages of our lives and careers in this room, we all share something fundamental: we share the privilege of working in the world of ideas, empathy and imagination.”

Michael Buckner via Getty Images

Ford then offered his gratitude to those who had helped him throughout his career.

“I want to thank, truly, from the bottom of my heart, my colleagues, [and] to my extraordinary and beautiful wife Calista and my family, who have given me love and courage at all times,” he said.

During Ford’s seven decades in Hollywood, he has taken on numerous roles that became cultural icons, including Han Solo in the “Star Wars” franchise and archaeologist Dr. Henry “Indiana” Jones Jr. in the “Indiana Jones” franchise. He is also known for playing Rick Deckard in two “Blade Runner” films, analyst Jack Ryan (“Patriot Games” and “Clear and Present Danger”) and John Book in “Witness,” which earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Actor.

The lifetime achievement award is not the only honor Ford has received. He previously won the Critics’ Choice Career Achievement Award (2024), an honorary Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival (2023), the BAFTA Albert R. Broccoli Britannia Award (2015), the Golden Globes Cecil B. DeMille Award (2002), and the AFI Life Achievement Award (2000). He also earned an Emmy nomination for playing Dr. Paul Rhoades in the Apple TV series “Shrinking.”

Ford is the 61st actor to receive the lifetime achievement award, which is given to an actor who possesses the “best ideals of the acting profession.” Recent honorees include Jane Fonda, Barbra Streisand and Sally Field.

Before the ceremony, Ford said he was “deeply honored to have been chosen this year’s winner.”

“Being recognized by my fellow actors means a lot 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 a part of this community.”

Watch Ford’s speech below:

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