The Director Who Exposed Harrison Ford’s Soft Side—And Compared Him to an Avocado

Harrison Ford, an actor whose name is synonymous with Hollywood legends, has spent decades captivating audiences with his multifaceted performances. From the fearless adventurer Indiana Jones to the brooding Rick Deckard in Blade Runner, Ford’s career is as vast as it is iconic. Yet, his public persona often stands in contrast to his on-screen characters—stoic, reserved, and occasionally gruff. However, for those fortunate enough to work alongside him, Ford’s true nature is far more approachable than many might expect.

Despite his legendary status, Ford is known for his understated personality. While he has earned admiration from co-stars and crew members throughout the years, there remains a certain intimidation factor for younger actors and filmmakers, particularly due to his “unenthusiastic” demeanor during press events and interviews. Yet, this apparent grumpiness doesn’t tell the full story of who Ford is—especially for those who’ve had the chance to see beyond the surface. One director who has done just that is Joel Edgerton.

Edgerton, who grew up in the 1980s idolizing Ford’s roles in Indiana Jones and Star Wars, had his own brush with Ford during the early 2000s when he landed a role in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones. Their professional paths truly intersected, though, in 2025 when Edgerton was recruited to create a series of advertisements for Glenmorangie Scotch whisky. In this series, titled Once Upon a Time in Scotland, Edgerton cast Ford, seeing the actor in a kilt as he explored the Scottish Highlands.

Despite the daunting prospect of working with an actor of Ford’s caliber, Edgerton found that there was more to Ford than the tough exterior often associated with him. Reflecting on his experience with the actor, Edgerton shared his observations with Variety in January 2025. “I’d watched a lot of his interviews, and I realised that true or false, there’s a persona of Harrison’s that is quite gruff and, you know, grumpy,” Edgerton explained.

It was then that Edgerton likened Ford to something a bit unexpected: an avocado. “He’s a bit like an avocado,” Edgerton said, comparing Ford’s character to the fruit. “He’s rock solid on the outside, but he’s very soft in the middle. He has an emotional softness and a sensitivity and a humanity that he then covers with this sort of prickly outside.”

While the analogy may not be the most precise—especially considering that avocados have a hard pit in the center—Edgerton’s comparison still offers valuable insight into the actor’s complex nature. For Edgerton, working with Ford peeled back the layers of the public persona, revealing a man who is deeply human, sensitive, and approachable, despite the rough exterior.

This revelation sheds light on why Ford has maintained such a long, diverse, and successful career in Hollywood. While his on-screen characters often embody strength and resilience, it’s Ford’s true emotional depth and grounded personality that has endeared him to co-stars, directors, and audiences alike. His journey from young actor to iconic figure is a testament to the fact that a prickly exterior often hides a heart of gold—and in Ford’s case, it’s a heart full of humanity.

In the end, Harrison Ford’s enduring legacy isn’t just the action-packed roles or his stoic characters—it’s the kindness, softness, and humanity that shine through when the cameras stop rolling. Those who have worked with Ford, like Edgerton, are quick to recognize that his real strength lies in his emotional vulnerability, a trait that continues to make him a beloved figure in the entertainment world.