Harrison Ford's Future Wife & Adopted Son Saved Him from Loneliness after Separation from 4 Biological Kids
Hollywood legend Harrison Ford knows the many faces of parenthood. Although he has four biological children, he focused his life on the son he adopted after marrying Calista Flockhart.
Harrison Ford is not your typical movie star. While some actors cannot keep a partner for more than five months, Ford's two failed marriages lasted over a decade.
The first "lucky one" was Mary Marquardt. The couple married in 1964 and welcomed sons Benjamin and Willard. The late 1960s and most of the 1970s were so financially challenging to Ford that he had to make ends meet as a carpenter.
Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart on January 10, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California [left]. Ford and Flockhart's son, Liam, on November 4, 2007 in Santa Monica, California [center]. Ford and Flockhart in New York City on July 17, 2002 [right] | Source: Getty Images
AN AFFAIR THAT BROKE A FAMILY
When Ford began his career as an actor, he struggled to book parts that paid enough to provide for his family. He became so frustrated that he started working with wood to help pay the bills.
Ford's career improved in 1973 when director George Lucas cast him in "American Graffiti." However, the actor couldn't find a steady source of income afterward.
Harrison Ford in Paris, France, circa 1980 | Source: Getty Images
He met director Francis Ford Coppola and began working for him as a carpenter and actor, landing small parts in 1974's "The Conversation" and 1979's "Apocalypse Now."
Two years before "Apocalypse Now," though, Ford had already established himself as a respected actor in Hollywood with his portrayal of Han Solo in "Star Wars." That project changed his life in more than one way.
Although Ford was married to Marquardt, he had an affair with his "Star Wars" co-star Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia), which ultimately led to Ford and Marquardt's divorce in 1979.
Ford then tied the knot with Melissa Mathison in 1983 and welcomed two children, Malcolm and Georgia, before divorcing in 2004. Now, the actor is married to Calista Flockhart, but he was not looking for love when he met her.
Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart in New York City on July 17, 2002 | Source: Getty Images
LOVE WORKS IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS
After Mathison filed for divorce in mid-2001, Ford wouldn't stop making headlines for his frequent nightclub outings. Some tabloids linked him to other actresses, like Minnie Driver and Lara Flynn Boyle, but most reports were untrue. Ford revealed:
"[The media] spun the most cloth with the least material again and again. It was very hurtful to my kids. It was hurtful to a lot of people because 90 percent of it was wrong."
Calista Flockhart and Harrison Ford in Westwood, California, in July 2002 | Source: Getty Images
Ford also shared his thoughts on feeling lonely, explaining that he wouldn't like to live his life in a way that mitigates that feeling. Luckily, Flockhart came into his life and changed everything.
Adopting Liam also improved Ford's relationship with his eldest son, Benjamin.
They met at the January 2002 Golden Globes ceremony, but Ford was not looking for love. However, love works in mysterious ways, and a spilled glass of wine did the trick.
Calista Flockhart and Harrison Ford in May 2003 | Source: Getty Images
Flockhart said they talked for about 20 minutes before Ford spilled the drink, but Ford claimed it was actually Flockhart who did it.
After that, they became almost inseparable, and Ford's "Patriot Games" co-star Anne Archer knows why. She pointed out that Ford was "not a player," and he was "more comfortable in a relationship."
Calista Flockhart and son Liam on October 18, 2002 in Brentwood, California | Source: Getty Images
LEARNING TO LOVE HIS ADOPTED SON
Before meeting Ford, Flockhart adopted Liam. Once the actors became a couple, Liam became part of Ford's family. Fortunately, Ford's eldest children gave Liam and Flockhart a warm welcome.
Ford admitted he loved participating in Liam's life, and Flockhart said her partner's "wonderful" family was "really good" to her. It is essential to point out that Ford didn't turn his back on his eldest kids.
Calista Flockhart and her son, Liam, on September 17, 2002 in Beverly Hills, California | Source: Getty Images
In 2002, Malcolm and Georgia moved from New York City to Los Angeles. After that, Ford would have dinner dates with them every Sunday night. Ford was so determined to be part of his children's lives that he would live wherever the kids were studying.
Adopting Liam also improved Ford's relationship with his eldest son, Benjamin, mainly because Benjamin's son, Ethan, became best friends with Liam. Nowadays, all of Ford's children are doing well.
Things almost took a tragic turn in March 2015 when Ford was injured following a plane crash.
Harrison Ford, Calista Flockhart, and son Liam on November 21, 2007 in Downtown Los Angeles, California | Source: Getty Images
Benjamin, 54, is a restaurateur; Willard, 52, is an entrepreneur and owner of the Ludwig Clothing Company; Malcolm, 34, tried his luck in Hollywood but eventually became the frontman of the indie band The Dough Rollers; and Georgia, 31, is an actress.
Ford worked hard so that his children could have a normal childhood, which is probably why not everyone has a job in Hollywood. Liam, 21, is a college student. In 2003, Ford talked about his parenting skills and revealed:
"I still work on being a better father [and] a better mate. I've learned a lot from my relationships [and] my kids. I think I have made some progress."
Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart on May 18, 2008 in Cannes, France | Source: Getty Images
UNCONDITIONAL, DECADES-LONG ROMANCE
Ford and Flockhart began dating in 2002 and stayed together for almost eight years before Ford popped the question on 2009's Valentine's Day.
In June 2010, they tied the knot at the Governor's Mansion in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Things almost took a tragic turn in March 2015 when Ford was injured following a plane crash.
Calista Flockhart and her son, Liam, on November 4, 2007 in Santa Monica, California | Source: Getty Images
He spent days recovering in the hospital, and Flockhart stayed by his side for as long as she could. Ford and Flockhart's close friends were not surprised by her reaction after the accident because they knew they had always focused on their family.
An insider revealed the couple's life before and after saying "I do" was "focused on Liam." The plane crash was hard to process for Ford and Flockhart because it was one of their favorite mutual pastimes.
Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart on January 10, 2016 in Beverly Hills, California | Source: Getty Images
The actor, known for piloting planes, said flying was important to him, and he enjoyed doing it with his wife because she loved it. He added:
"[Flockhart] likes the process, she likes what she sees from the air, […] seeing me happy. I think a lot of it has to do with that she loves to see me doing something that I love."
Calista Flockhart and her son, Liam, on August 24 2012 in Carlsbad, California | Source: Getty Images
Although Flockhart had always been a bit nervous about flying, she became completely confident in her husband's piloting skills after going to Santa Barbara.
Ford made a full recovery after the crash and kept piloting. The "Indiana Jones" star and Flockhart have been married for 12 years and in a relationship for 20. What a fantastic love story!