Harrison Ford Shares His Past Struggle with Severe Depression During College

Renowned actor Harrison Ford has candidly discussed facing significant depression during his time at university, admitting he became isolated and largely confined to his room.

During an appearance on The Hollywood Reporter’s “Awards Chatter” podcast, the "Star Wars" lead recalled his routine while studying at Ripon College. He described a cycle of waking up, ordering pizza via the phone, and returning to bed to wait for its arrival, after which he would eat and go back to sleep, leaving wrappers nearby. Ford, 83, characterized his condition as more than mere sadness, stating, "I was more than depressed… I was socially ill, psychologically not well."

Ford explained that he found it difficult to connect with people and felt he "never found a community" at that stage of his life. A significant shift occurred when he enrolled in a drama course, initially as a means to improve his academic standing.

He soon discovered a sense of belonging among his classmates, remarking, "The people that I had considered to be fellow geeks and misfits were… some of the most interesting people I knew." This experience proved to be a pivotal moment, transforming his perspective and life path. "I think I simply found my place amongst storytellers… it really changed my world, changed my life."

Despite majoring in philosophy, Ford was expelled shortly before completing his degree after confessing to plagiarism in his final thesis. He stated, "I was accused of and admitted that there was plagiarism."

He subsequently rose to become one of Hollywood's most celebrated actors, starring in major film series like Star Wars and Indiana Jones, attributing his success to a combination of opportunities, perseverance, and good fortune.