via Sérgio Mendes

From carpentry to Han Solo: Harrison Ford’s unlikely path

In 1970, Sérgio Mendes, a Brazilian musician, employed a shaggy-haired young carpenter (above right) to build a music studio in his backyard in Encino. The worker was an aspiring actor, but had taught himself carpentry to support his young family.

At the time, there was little to suggest that Harrison Ford, then 28, was destined to be one of the most famous leading men in Hollywood. A few years later, he landed a small part in George Lucas’ “American Graffiti.” But he returned to woodworking as his principal profession. In 1976, Ford was asked to help Lucas audition other actors for the director’s next film. It was the carpenter, however, who stole the show. Ford became Han Solo and the carpentry became a thing of the past. Mashable | Entertainment Tonight

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