Before They Were Famous: Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill & Carrie Fisher

December 22nd 2015, 11:52pm

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

Welcome to “Before They Were Famous“, where we take a look at some of the past exploits of today's biggest stars, be it from movies, television, Broadway, competitions, etc.! The more embarrassing, the better. Our memories are long, but the internet's memory is forever, so jump back in time with us to witness some of our favorite stars before they were marquee names.

Harrison Ford (STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS)

Paging Mr. Ford! Before he starred as Han Solo or Indiana Jones, Harrison Ford was just another actor trying to get his big break. In his first on-screen appearance, Ford played the role of a bellhop in the thriller DEAD HEAT ON THE MERRY-GO-ROUND (1966). I bet this was the first and only time Ford allowed someone to call him "boy".

His second appearance on the big screen came as a cowboy in JOURNEY TO SHILOH (1968). Based on the ridiculous theme song, I assumed this movie was a comedy. I mean come on, there are lines like "their lips had known no women and their hearts had known no fear". But nope, this film is a drama. Starring James Caan (THE GODFATHER) and Michael Sarrazin (THEY SHOOT HORSES, DON'T THEY?), the film tells the story of seven young men who set off from their home in Texas to join the Confederate army during the Civil War. To get the full hilariousness of the clip, you have to watch the whole thing. And pay close attention to Ford as Willie Bill. "Willie Bill was born in Pecos. Eighteen summers he has seen. He's old enough to soldier. Will he see nineteen?"

In a full-circle moment, during his STAR WARS audition, Ford called someone ELSE "boy".

Carrie Fisher (STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS)

Although she has famous parents, Carrie Fisher didn't start in the entertainment industry until she was a young adult. Her first onscreen appearance came in the Hal Ashby directed comedy, SHAMPOO (1975), starring Warren Beatty, Goldie Hawn, and Julie Christie. Fisher plays the daughter of one of George Roundry's (Beatty) lovers (played by Lee Grant). And in her big comedic scene, Fisher questions Roundry's sexuality (in a rather un-PC way), as well as his intentions with her mother.

STAR WARS was her next big role, and if this audition tape is any indication, it's no wonder she got the part! And doesn't that sound like Harrison Ford reading lines with her off-camera?

Mark Hamill (STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS)

Mark Hamill's role in STAR WARS may be a secret. However, it's no secret that he starred in such 70s classics as THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY (1971), GENERAL HOSPITAL (1972-1973) and :ahem: THE BILL COSBY SHOW (1970).

In THE PARTRIDGE FAMILY, Hamill plays Jerry, Laurie's (Susan Dey) dreamy crush. When Jerry asks Laurie out on a date, she is embarrassed to show up because she just got braces. Things get even worse when mysterious music starts playing out of her mouth. As the episode ends, Laurie realizes Jerry likes her with or without her braces. Oh, and that random music? It is feedback picked up by her braces from a nearby radio. Can that actually happen?