Harrison Ford was forced to drop out as an Oscars presenter after receiving a heartbreaking diagnosis.
Ford has had an impressive career spanning almost six decades, making his screen debut in 1966.
The 82-year-old star has an impressive catalog of roles, including Han Solo in Star Wars, Indiana Jones in the Indiana Jones franchise, and Rick Deckard in Blade Runner.
Fans have flocked to social media after the actor’s recent health diagnosis.
One user shared, “My dad went through the same thing. He told me it was the most painful experience of his life. It’s hard to think or speak with that kind of pain, so I completely understand why Harrison Ford skipped his presentation.”
Another added, “I know how painful it is—I’ve had it twice. Sending many prayers for comfort and a full recovery!”
A third wrote, “Harrison Ford is one of my favorite actors. We’re all praying for you to pull through and get well soon.”
Someone else commented, “That’s a shame. Hope he recovers quickly—he would’ve been brilliant.”
Despite Ford’s health issues, he has previously said he has no plans to retire from acting.
In an episode of Who’s Talking to Chris Wallace in 2023, he stated: “I don’t do well when I don’t have work, I love to work… I love to feel useful. It’s my Jones, I want to be helpful.”
When asked why he likes acting so much, the star said: “It is the people that you get to work with. The intensity and the intimacy of collaboration… it’s the combined ambition…”
The Indiana Jones star was present in high spirits just a week ago at the 2025 Screen Actors Guild Awards last weekend, where he participated in a skit with his Shrinking co-star, Jessica Williams.
The Hollywood legend was nominated for outstanding performance by a male actor for the comedy series about a grieving therapist, but lost the award to Martin Short, who won for his role in Only Murders in the Building.
Ford was set to be one of the presenters at the 97th Academy Awards, joining a lineup that included Gal Gadot, Zoe Saldaña, Andrew Garfield, Margaret Qualley, Samuel L. Jackson, Rachel Zegler, Alba Rohrwacher, and Dave Bautista.
This year’s ceremony, held at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, marked Conan O’Brien’s debut as host.
Among the night’s big winners, Adrien Brody took home Best Actor for his role in The Brutalist, while Mikey Madison won Best Actress for Anora.
According to Entertainment Weekly, Blade Runner star Harrison Ford was forced to step down as an Oscars presenter after being diagnosed with shingles.
The Mayo Clinic describes shingles as a viral infection that causes a painful rash. It can appear anywhere on the body but typically manifests as a stripe of blisters wrapping around one side of the torso.
The illness is caused by the varicella-zoster virus—the same virus responsible for chickenpox. Once a person has had chickenpox, the virus remains in their body and can reactivate years later as shingles.
Despite the painful condition, Entertainment Weekly reports that Ford is “doing okay” physically.
