I’ve always had a deep admiration for Harrison Ford, but after hearing this lesser-known story about him, it’s impossible not to appreciate him even more.
In the summer of 2001, 13-year-old Cody Clawson went on an adventure into Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, eager to take on the wilderness like any Boy Scout. Confident at first, he soon found himself hopelessly lost in the park’s remote forest.
As time passed, the situation grew dire. Dressed only in shorts, sandals, and a T-shirt, Cody had no survival gear to rely on. With the cold rain pouring and the winds howling, he sought refuge in a small cave, hoping to escape the worst of it. He eventually fell asleep, though it was a restless night.
“It rained and sleeted that night. It was pretty scary,” Cody later recalled.
Hours later, he awoke to the unmistakable sound of a helicopter. Knowing this was his chance, he quickly ripped off his belt and used the buckle to reflect the sunlight, hoping to catch the pilot’s attention.
“I started looking for an open place that I could signal them,” Cody told ABC News.
Then, the helicopter swooped down, and Cody was stunned to see none other than Harrison Ford in the pilot’s seat. Ford had volunteered his helicopter and skills to help locate Clawson.
At first, Cody didn’t recognize the legendary actor, but after hearing his voice, the realization hit: “The way he said [hello] reminded me so much of Han Solo in Star Wars. Then I was like, ‘Oh my God, Han Solo has just rescued me. How cool is that?’”
Ford, who lived in Jackson, Wyoming at the time, was an avid helicopter pilot. Cody, cold and exhausted, shared that this encounter changed his perception of celebrities. In a world where stars are often seen as distant figures, he came to realize there are generous, good people out there.
After landing and ensuring Cody’s safety, Ford and his co-pilot flew him to a rescue headquarters. It was a quick and efficient operation, but one that left a lasting impression on Cody.
“When we landed, Harrison Ford came over to me and said, ‘Boy, you sure must have earned a merit badge for this one.’ But I told him I’d already earned this badge last summer, and he laughed.”
When Cody later shared the story with his friends, they were in disbelief, asking him if he got an autograph. Cody’s response was simple: “No, but I got a hug and a handshake, and that’s better.”
This wasn’t Ford’s first time rescuing hikers in Yellowstone. In 2000, he piloted his helicopter to save Sarah George, a hiker who was struck by altitude sickness after climbing Table Mountain. Ford quickly swooped in and airlifted her to safety.
“Well, one time we picked up this woman who was hypothermic on the mountain,” Ford recalled. “She barfed in my cowboy hat but didn’t know who I was until the next day.”
“She didn’t know who I was at the time,” Sarah George said of Ford’s humble appearance, wearing a T-shirt and cowboy hat. “I can’t believe I barfed in Harrison Ford’s helicopter.”
For Cody, the experience was more than just a chance encounter with a celebrity; it was a reminder that real heroes often don’t seek the spotlight.
Reflecting on his actions, Ford wasn’t too fond of the public attention that followed. “I stopped doing it because we would be lucky enough to find somebody and then they’d be on Good Morning America talking about ‘a hero pilot,’” Ford explained. “It’s nothing like that. It’s a team effort. It’s lame to think about it that way.”
Had you heard this story before? For me, it just deepens my respect for Harrison Ford. I think more celebrities should adopt this mindset and remain grounded, like regular people. If you agree, feel free to share!