Hollywood icon Harrison Ford, 82, reveals real reason he continues to act and hasn't retired

Harrison Ford made his movie debut in the 1966 film Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round, and has since become a Hollywood icon, making his name in movies such as Star Wars and Indiana Jones

Harrison Ford has revealed the real reason he continues to act in Hollywood movies at the age of 82.

The film icon, who made his debut on the big screen back in 1966, has portrayed epic characters in movies over the last 58 years, including Han Solo in the Star Wars saga, and the eponymous archaeologist in the Indiana Jones franchise. Harrison’s impressive movie CV also features blockbusters such as The Fugitive, Blade Runner, Patriot Games and Air Force One, as well as stints in comedies including Working Girl and Anchorman 2.

But his recent starring role in the Apple TV series Shrinking has introduced him to a whole new audience, and viewers have fallen in love with his portrayal of the grumpy therapist Dr. Paul Rhodes. The Golden Globe winner spoke about his work on the hit comedy series, and confessed he agreed to sign up to the show because he enjoys acting, even in his 80s.

When asked what keeps him acting after almost six decades, Harrison honestly replied: “Oh man, I get out of it essential human contact. I get to imagine with people that have great skill and experience…. It’s fun to work with these people.”

While Harrison has tried his hand at most movie genres over the years, including drama, action and sci-fi, the veteran Hollywood star loves comedy, and has a keen interest in what makes people laugh. “I always enjoyed humour. I loved jokes. I loved the construction of jokes,” he told Vanity Fair. “My father was a joke teller. The wordsmithing and the ideas that lay behind a joke have always interested me. When I was thinking about becoming an actor, I was ambitious for both kinds of work — serious drama and comedy. I found myself doing both and not really distinguishing much between them.”

Harrison recently spoke out about the backlash he received for signing on to star in the latest round of Marvel movies, as he’s set to make his debut in the massive superhero franchise as Thaddeus Ross/Red Hulk in the upcoming blockbuster Captain America: Brave New World. Many have criticised the Marvel movies, including Oscar-winning director Martin Scorsese, but Harrison has no time for the naysayers.

“I mean, this is the Marvel universe and I’m just there on a weekend pass. I’m a sailor new to this town,” Harrison, who made his name in action movies in the 70s and 80s, explained. “I don’t have anything general to say about it. It’s the condition our condition is in, and things change and morph and go on. We’re silly if we sit around regretting the change and don’t participate.”

And when asked if the Marvel movies were contributing to the “death” of actors’ careers after they star in the films, Harrison had a simple reply. “Oh I think that's rubbish,” he told GQ.

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