Several distinguished actors launched their careers by starring in Star Wars, but perhaps the most prominent of them all is Harrison Ford. However, this was not always the case. In 1977, when the first Star Wars film, Episode IV: A New Hope, was released, none of the primary cast members had yet achieved stardom.
In his early career, Harrison Ford landed minor acting roles in various films and TV shows. Ford also portrayed the iconic character Han Solo in Star Wars and received a meager salary for his performance in the film. His fortunes began to shift when he landed a part in American Graffiti, director George Lucas’s second feature film.
Harrison Ford Got Paid Only $10K For His Star Wars Role
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Harrison Ford was relatively unknown at the time of his casting in Star Wars. He was offered a modest compensation of $10,000 for his portrayal of Han Solo in A New Hope. When adjusted for inflation, Ford’s initial salary equates to approximately $40,000. However, The Things reported that he eventually earned a significantly larger amount of $500,000 for his participation in the Star Wars sequels. Although Han Solo is now a beloved character, he initially had a minor role in the film.
On the other hand, Mark Hamill, who portrays the character of Luke Skywalker, was compensated with the highest salary of $650,000, equivalent to $2.5 million in today’s currency. Besides, Alec Guinness, who played the character of Obi-Wan Kenobi, had a share of the film’s profits and was ultimately paid around $85 million before his passing in 2000.
The success of Star Wars catapulted Ford’s career to new heights, and he should have received the highest salary in Episode VII: The Force Awakens. His earnings for the 2015 film ranged between $10 to $20 million, marking a significant increase from his $10,000 paycheck for the first Star Wars film.
Also Read: $1.96B Franchise Forced Harrison Ford to Refuse Oscar Winning Steven Spielberg Movie
Harrison Ford Way Ahead Of His Star Wars Co-Stars
While his breakthrough role as Han Solo in Star Wars certainly played a significant part in building his wealth, Ford’s career has also been defined by his iconic role in the Indiana Jones franchise.
Ford is set to star as the beloved adventurer again in the upcoming Indiana Jones film, cementing his status as one of Hollywood’s most enduring and successful actors. His other notable roles are The Fugitive, Blade Runner, Witness, Air Force One, 42, Patriot Games, The Secret Life of Pets 2, and The Call of the Wild.
Star Wars: A New Hope is available for streaming on Disney+.
Source: Cheatsheet
