THE UNSTOPPABLE HARRISON FORD

HE HAS TWO HIT TV SHOWS AND IS MAKING A THRILLING RETURN AS INDIANA JONES IN DIAL OF DESTINY. THE HOLLYWOOD LEGEND TALKS ABOUT REVISITING THE ICONIC ROLE AND ENJOYING A FULL-AND VERY BUSY-LIFE AT 80

- ELIZABETH LEONARD

Harrison Ford glances at an old People cover and seems vaguely bemused. It's the 1998 Sexiest Man Alive issue, and Ford, the cover star, appears as a robust 56-year-old wearing jeans, a button-down open at the collar and a twinkling smile. "That was a long time ago," he says, not at all wistfully-then deadpans: "When I used to be sexy." Ford, who turns 81 in July (and who, for the record, is still quite robust), isn't pining for those days. Nor is he particularly nostalgic about his unparalleled five-decade career: His films, including the epic Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises, have grossed more than $10 billion worldwide. Instead the dry-witted Chicago native has always preferred to keep his head down and get to work. "No one ever believes this, but I never wanted to be rich and famous," he says, relaxed and thoughtful on a May afternoon in L.A. "I just wanted to be an actor." 

These days Ford-wed to actress Calista Flockhart, 58, since 2010 and a father of five-is busier than ever. He leaped into TV last winter with two hit shows: Shrinking, on Apple TV+, and the Yellowstone prequel 1923 on Paramount+. He's also been filming his first entry into the Marvel Universe, Captain America: Brave New World: "I saw a lot of great actors having fun," he says, "so I thought, 'Hey, I want some of this!"" And in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, out June 30, Ford picks up the fedora and whip for the last time. Of reprising the role that helped make him a legend, he says, "I wanted to see him rally for one last adventure." 

You're coming off an emotional reception at Cannes, where you were honored with a Palme d'Or for lifetime achievement and premiered the new Indiana Jones. Were you able to feel the huge impact you've had as an actor?