During his commencement speech at Arizona State University, Indiana Jones and Star Wars actor Harrison Ford reminded the graduating class that success isn't always linear.
Videos by Wide Open Country
Speaking to an assembly of ASU alumni, Ford detailed his unconventional path to becoming one of Hollywood's most in-demand actors.
Back when he was a college student at Ripon College, Ford admitted, "I didn't give much thought to my future," he told the graduating class on Monday. "I did not make good choices."
During his junior year, Ford enrolled in a drama class. Oddly enough, the Blade Runner star had no intention of becoming an actor. Instead, he hoped to "work at the box office or build sets."
"My classmates were people I had previously discounted as geeks and misfits. But I soon realized I was a geek and a misfit," he declared, drawing cheers from the ASU audience. "I had found my fit. These were my people."
Ford confessed that, despite his initial shyness, he landed several major roles in stage productions that year.
"I had always seen myself as shy, but hiding in character and costume and makeup, I had a freedom, a bravery I had never felt before," he said. "My passion had led me to community."
However, the payout for his work was a far cry from the multimillion-dollar earnings he receives now, leading him to take on side jobs.
"But acting was not yet paying the bills," said the Golden Globes nominee. "I was supporting my growing family with carpentry jobs, another way to put food on the table. I only took acting jobs when the part challenged me."
Ford added: "This went on for about 15 years. During which I did a lot of carpentry. And only four or five acting jobs."
A few years later, Ford landed his first blockbuster role, "it all added up, and I got Star Wars."
From there, Ford blossomed into one of Hollywood's most decorated actors.
The Chicago-born actor starred in Indiana Jones, Blade Runner, Star Wars, Anchorman and was nearly cast as Tim Burton's Batman.
