You likely know Harrison Ford for his iconic roles in Star Wars and Indiana Jones, but did you know he was also a keen woodworker and professional carpenter?
In the late 1960s, before his big break as Han Solo, Harrison Ford was struggling to support his family on acting alone. By that point, he had booked a few minor roles, but was not yet the high-grossing actor we know today. Out of necessity, he turned to carpentry. He taught himself the trade through reading books borrowed from the Encino library and learned through trial and error on small projects.
As his skills grew, he was commissioned to build bespoke joinery and more for an increasingly prestigious client list, including Frances Ford Coppola and Sally Kellerman.
In a moment that has now become Hollywood legend, Harrison booked his iconic role in Star Wars when he was hired to build a door in the office where George Lucas was holding auditions for Star Wars. Lucas asked him to read lines with the other actors, and the rest is history.
After making it big, Ford continued to hone his craft. Archival photographs from 1984 show the actor posing with gorgeous dining room furniture that he built himself in his home workshop. Their traditional, timeless feel is the perfect complement to the arched white ceilings of his Beverly Hills house.
Recreate Harrison Ford's Look at Home
Though we can't all be professional woodworkers, a gorgeous set of wooden chairs (available at Wayfair) with a wooden table looks just as beautiful no matter who made it. These pieces are our editors' picks for tapping into Harrison's look in 2026.
Handsome and humble, this wood chair is a dining essential. It boasts Scandi Minimalism in a traditional package.
Perhaps you want to try decorating your dining room with cobalt blue, but you want to test it out first. These striking blue cushions are the perfect place to start, and would look stunning with wooden dining chairs. They are a modern take on the seats of Harrison's chairs.
This sturdy and versatile table is made from 100% solid pine wood from Southern Brazil. Its understated silhouette would fit perfectly into any dining room.
Based on the way he continued to practice after he no longer needed to make a career out of carpentry, it's clear that Harrison Ford holds furniture building close to his heart. He believes that it played a significant role in his ability to succeed.
The actor has stated: 'Through carpentry, I fed my family and began to pick and choose from among the roles offered. I could afford to hold out until something better came along. But I never gave up my ambition to be an actor. I was frustrated but never felt defeated by my frustration.'
From a design perspective, the way he has mixed traditional and modern furnishings has just as much of an impact.
Fans of film and design alike will rejoice over these images, showcasing the woodworking skills of a talented actor. Ultimately, Harrison's journey with carpentry is a tale of perseverance. By any measure, it's paid off.
