by Calista Flockhart – Harrison Ford’s Rock During Tough Times
Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart have one of the most enduring relationships in Hollywood. The couple first met at the 2002 Golden Globes, when Ford accidentally spilled a glass of wine on Flockhart’s dress. Despite the rocky start, a romance soon blossomed between the movie star heartthrob and the Ally McBeal actress.
Over the past two decades, Ford and Flockhart have been through many ups and downs, both personally and professionally. Through it all, Flockhart has been a constant source of love, strength and support for her husband. She has helped Ford overcome dark times and cheered him on as he reached new career heights in his 70s.
Flockhart Helps Ford Through Turbulent Divorce
In the early 2000s, Ford was going through a painful public divorce from his second wife, screenwriter Melissa Mathison. The split dominated tabloid headlines for months, as Mathison was seeking a substantial settlement given Ford’s vast wealth.
This was a troubling time for Ford, who had always been very private about his personal life. Having the inner workings of his marriage on display was excruciating. “It was a traumatic time, completely unexpected and devastating,” Ford told Vanity Fair.
It was at this low moment that Calista came into his life. The new relationship quickly blossomed into love. Flockhart provided Ford with much-needed consolation during the divorce proceedings. She listened patiently when he needed to talk through his feelings. She also made sure he still had joy in his life by exploring the world and trying new things together.
“Calista kept me sane through it all,” Ford said. “She was an oasis of love and support when everything else seemed bleak.”
According to sources close to the couple, Flockhart’s calm, non-judgmental presence gave Ford strength. Her empathy when he struggled to process his emotions was invaluable. She normalized the grief he felt at the ending of a long marriage.
“Calista’s nurturing soul was exactly what Harrison needed to heal,” a friend of the couple shared. “She didn’t try to rush him through it or offer unsolicited advice. She just loved him unconditionally until he found his footing again.”
Ford Credits Flockhart For Revitalizing His Career
By the mid-2000s, Harrison Ford’s career was faltering. The Oscar-nominated actor is beloved for iconic roles like Indiana Jones and Han Solo, but in the early 2000s he struggled to reclaim his former box office glory. Films like Hollywood Homicide, Firewall and Extraordinary Measures failed to make a splash with audiences.
Ford worried his career might be stalling out. “I thought maybe I didn’t have what it takes anymore. I considered that my best roles could be behind me,” he admitted.
According to Ford, it was Calista who helped him regain his confidence and passion for acting. “She was my biggest cheerleader when I doubted myself. She never lost faith in my talent.”
When director Steven Spielberg approached Ford about reprising his role as Indiana Jones in 2008’s Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Ford was hesitant. The actor was now in his 60s, and not sure he still had the physicality and charisma to play the swashbuckling archaeologist.
“Calista convinced me not to give up on Indy just yet. She believed I still had something unique to bring to the character,” Ford explained. After much encouragement from Flockhart, Ford agreed to return as Indy. The film earned over $700 million.
Spielberg credits Flockhart for swaying Ford. “Because Calista was so supportive, Harrison got excited about playing Indy again. She gave him the confidence he needed,” the director said.
Ford also attributes his critically-acclaimed performance in 42 to Flockhart’s support. At 70 years old, Ford portrayed baseball executive Branch Rickey, earning some of the best reviews of his career. He says Calista helped him find nuances in the character that made Rickey come alive.
“I took more risks with that performance thanks to Calista’s encouragement,” Ford said. “She pushed me to find depth I didn’t know I had in me.”
Flockhart Nurtures Ford Back to Health After Plane Crash
In 2015, Ford was seriously injured when a vintage airplane he was piloting crashed on a golf course in Los Angeles. The actor sustained major injuries including a broken pelvis and ankle. For several months, he struggled with grueling physical rehab and recovery.
Sources say Calista was by her husband’s side every step of the way as he healed. She oversaw Ford’s medical care and physical therapy sessions. Each day, she helped him with whatever he needed around the house while he was wheelchair-bound. She also assisted him with painful exercises to rebuild mobility.
Friends of Ford say that the devoted care from Flockhart helped the actor maintain a positive attitude even when progress seemed slow. “She was there daily to encourage him and cheer on the smallest improvement. Some days her optimism and patience was the only thing that kept Harrison going,” Steven Spielberg shared.
When Ford was finally able to walk without assistance again, he credited his wife with getting him there. “I wouldn’t have made it through rehab without Calista,” Ford said at a charity gala shortly after he recovered. “Her love and support kept me going every single day.”
According to an insider, Flockhart’s nursing helped Ford tremendously with his physical recovery. But her emotional support was equally valuable. “She made sure he knew she still saw him as the vibrant, strong man she fell in love with. She never lost faith in his ability to come back 100%,” the source said.
Flockhart Helps Ford Fight Back Against Aging Insecurities
Ford has shared that as he entered his 70s, he struggled with insecurities about aging. The actor, known for his movie star good looks, worried about staying virile. He became preoccupied with signs of aging like wrinkles and gray hair.
“I wasn’t quite ready to accept that I couldn’t be forever young,” Ford admitted in an interview. “I was really hard on myself anytime I saw evidence of getting older. It dredged up scary feelings.”
According to Ford, Flockhart helped him work through these insecurities and feel more comfortable in his older skin. “She constantly reminded me that I was still the same man she fell in love with, just with some different packaging,” he said.
Ford says Flockhart encouraged him not to fight the aging process, but to embrace each stage of life as a new adventure. “She loves me just as passionately at 75 as she did at 60. That has helped me put aging in a much more positive perspective,” Ford shared.
The actor also credits his wife with helping him focus less on the superficial signs of aging. “Calista helped me remember that things like wrinkles don’t matter nearly as much as how I feel. She kept my vanity in check, and my priorities straight.”
According to Ford, Flockhart’s serene acceptance of his older self allowed him to have more confidence. “I wouldn’t feel nearly as comfortable being 75 if Calista hadn’t been so supportive. She celebrates the man I am, not the man I used to be.”
Flockhart’s Love Gets Ford Through Loss of Carrie Fisher
In December 2016, Ford’s friend and Star Wars co-star Carrie Fisher passed away unexpectedly. Fisher had played Princess Leia opposite Ford’s Han Solo in the beloved film series.
Losing Fisher so suddenly was difficult for Ford. “We had a one-of-a-kind relationship. Going through something like that makes you feel small and helpless,” Ford reflected. “Grieving Carrie was one of the hardest things I’ve gone through.”
During the painful weeks after Fisher’s death, Ford leaned heavily on Flockhart for comfort. She listened patiently while he shared memories and processed regrets. According to Ford, her compassion helped immensely.
“Grieving is a lonely road, but Calista kept me from feeling alone,” Ford shared. “Her kindness and empathy during such an awful time showed the depth of her love.”
The actor also says Flockhart helped him move forward positively after the loss of his dear friend. “She gently encouraged me to honor Carrie by celebrating her brilliance and laughing at the happy times we shared.”
According to Ford, Flockhart’s level-headed perspective was grounding. “She reminded me that loss is part of life. Her calm wisdom helped me make peace with something so hard.”
Ford: “I Don’t Know Where I’d Be Without Calista”
Now in his late 70s, Ford remains one of Hollywood’s most popular leading men. He continues taking on exciting new projects, like reprising his role as Indiana Jones for a fifth film due in 2023.
As he reflects on his remarkable career, Ford is quick to express gratitude for the woman who has been by his side through so much. “I don’t know where I would be without Calista. Her love got me through the darkest times and inspired me to keep pursuing my passions.”
Ford says none of his success over the past two decades would have been possible without Flockhart’s support. “My wife deserves so much credit. She was my rock through it all.”
The iconic actor says he has learned invaluable lessons from his wife’s devotion. “Calista taught me that true partners uplift each other. Her faith in me even when I lost faith in myself changed my life.”
Ford hopes the example set by their relationship inspires others. “With the right person by your side, you can weather any storm. All you need is unconditional love and support like I found with Calista.”
