Summary

• Ford's early Hollywood journey included ing Columbia's New Talent Program in hopes of a breakthrough but faced industry pressures.
• Jerry Tarkovsky played a key role in shaping Ford's career, criticizing his early performances and even suggesting a name change.
• Despite the initial feud, Tarkovsky later acknowledged Ford's star quality, highlighting Ford's resilience and ultimate success in Hollywood.

Before iconic roles like Indiana Jones, was a young actor with striking looks who was able to distinguish himself amongst his peers. He ed the program, hoping for a breakthrough. However, under the watchful eyes of Columbia's gatekeepers, Ford would have his first significant brush with the industry's harsh realities.

Jerry Tarkovsky, an influential figure within Columbia Pictures at the time, was instrumental in shaping the early careers of actors like Ford through the New Talent Program. While the program sought to mold its recruits through rigorous training and small roles in productions, it also placed them under immense pressure to conform to specific expectations. Ford's foray into this system, characterized by strict discipline and the dream of stardom, set the stage for a series of events that would not only test his resolve but also lead to a contentious relationship with Tarkovsky, marking the beginning of a years-long feud.

Jerry Tarkovsky Didn't Like Harrison Ford's Bellboy Performance In Dead Heat On A Merry-Go-Round

Ford Wasn't An Instant Movie Star Like Tony Curtis

Harrison Ford's debut role as a bellboy in the James Coburn-starring Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round was intended to be a straightforward task, yet it became a turning point in his early career (via Harrison Ford: The Movies). The performance, meant to be a minor yet visible role, somehow missed the mark in the eyes of Jerry Tarkovsky, the Columbia Pictures executive overseeing the studio's talent. Ford's portrayal, aiming for a nuanced character depiction, ended up being seen as overly dramatic for the simplicity of the task at hand. Author Brad Duke explained:

The executive proceeded to tell Ford the tale of the first time anyone had seen Tony Curtis. In Curtis' debut film, he was charged with the simple job of delivering a bag of groceries. The talent scout who had been watching this delivery boy made the distinction that Curtis was in fact not a delivery boy as he was meant to portray, but in fact a genuine movie star.

Tarkovsky's disappointment was profound, leading to a memorable exchange between him and Ford involving a reference to Tony Curtis' debut, intended to illustrate the natural star quality Ford seemed to lack in Tarkovsky's eyes. The disagreement over Ford's approach not only highlighted the differing visions between the aspiring actor and the studio executive but also led to Ford's premature exit from Columbia's New Talent Program. Despite the setback, this incident underscored Ford's resilience and determination to find his path in Hollywood, even as it meant facing rejection and criticism from influential figures within the industry.

Dead Heat on a Merry-Go-Round is available to rent on Google Play, Apple TV, Amazon, YouTube, and Vudu

Tarkovsky Also Wanted Harrison Ford To Change His Name

Ford Mockingly Joked About Changing His Name To "Kurt Affair"

The challenges Ford faced early in his career weren't limited to his acting performances. An odd request from the studio further tested his resolve: he was advised to change his name because "Harrison Ford" was deemed "pretentious." The actor explained (via GQ):

They said, ‘Harrison Ford is not a good name for you. It sounds, I don't know, pretentious.

Ford had a humorous counter-suggestion that mocked their request: "Kurt Affair." The name was a playful rebellion against what he perceived as an absurdity, underscoring his unwillingness to compromise his identity despite the pressure. Ford added, “It was just the stupidest name I could think of.”

Years later, the feud between Tarkovsky and Ford ended in an unexpected way. Tarkovsky sent a simple note to Ford delivered via waiter at a Hollywood party. The Columbia exec acknowledged his misjudgment with two words: "I missed."

This gesture, while small, was a significant acknowledgment of Harrison Ford's undeniable star quality and success, a success that not only defied Jerry Tarkovsky's initial assessment but also cemented Harrison Ford's status as one of Hollywood's enduring icons. It was a moment of reconciliation that underscored the unpredictable journey of talent within the ever-changing landscape of the film industry, marking a positive conclusion to a once-contentious relationship.

Source: Harrison Ford: The Movies, GQ