Harrison Ford wants his own experience to help light the way for the future.
The “Star Wars” and “Indiana Jones” star gave a rousing commencement speech at Arizona State University on May 11, in which he touched on his passion for the environment, how he fell acting and how these graduates have the ability to change the world in ways they may not necessarily realize.
“You made wise choices, followed through with the work. I celebrate your commitment, the combined success of all of you. The potential of your entire generation, that is what gives me hope for the future,” he said.
Actor Harrison Ford delivered an inspiring commencement speech at Arizona State University reflecting on his unlikely journey from struggling actor and carpenter to Hollywood icon, while encouraging graduates to find their voice, embrace leadership and “go change the world.”
Ford, who attended Ripon College in Wisconsin, said he didn’t think about the future and “did not make good choices” when he was in college before he signed up for a drama class in the hopes of getting an easy A.
“My classmates were people I had previously discounted as geeks and misfits,” he said. “But I soon realized, I was a geek and a misfit. I had found my fit. These were my people.”
“I began to find myself on stage pretending to be someone else,” he added.
The 83-year-old Oscar-nominated star, who received an honorary Doctor of Arts and Humane Letters in acknowledgement of his worldwide influence, recalled landing more theater work, but not enough where he could make a living as an actor.
“Acting was not yet paying the bills. I was supporting my growing family with carpentry jobs, another way to put food on the table. I loved making things,” he said.
“And I only took acting jobs when the part challenged me,” he continued. “This went on for about 15 years, during which I did a lot of carpentry and only four or five acting jobs, but they were more ambitious, good projects, and then it all added up, and I got ‘Star Wars.’”
Ford said his whole life changed, although something was still missing.
“The load lightened. I had freedom, opportunity, but something was still missing. Passion and purpose are not the same thing,” he said. “Passion brings you joy. Purpose brings you meaning. Passion gets you out of bed in the morning, but purpose allows you to sleep at night, and I hadn’t found purpose higher than my job.”
A well-known environmentalist, Ford went on to explain how he got involved with a group called Conservation International.
“Their message was simple: Nature doesn’t need people. People need nature to survive,” he said, while noting he had found his “purpose” in this work.
He encouraged graduates to take care of the planet “because the world you’re stepping into, the world my generation left you, is a real mess.”
He then ended his speech with a call to action and a reminder that graduates can exert influence.
“Your generation has far more power than you may realize, and if you harness that power, if you find your leadership, your issues, your voice, the world will not be able to ignore you. You will have to be accommodated. Believe me, I know that’s true,” he said
“Don’t wait. When opportunity presents, recognize it. This is your time. Own it. Enjoy every second of it, because what could be worse than getting to the end of your life and realizing that you haven’t fully lived it. Congratulations. Go change the world.”
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