Late 1960s to Early 70s

His early years in Hollywood were spent navigating the competitive landscape of show business. After arriving in California, the Illinois native landed a contract with Columbia Pictures and took on minor roles in various television series. These were small, meaningful steps for an actor learning to hone his craft.

Appearances in shows like Ironside and The Virginian allowed him to gain on-set experience, even as he remained far from stardom. While these roles didn’t bring fame, they provided Ford with invaluable exposure to the industry, quietly laying the foundation for the breakthrough performances that would soon define his legendary career.