Podcast: Harrison Ford on the “Serious Shit” of ‘Shrinking,’ How Depression Led Him to Acting and Why He’s “Terribly Concerned” About the Future of Moviegoing

Legendary actor Harrison Ford, in a recent podcast interview, discussed the profound personal significance of his role in the third season of Apple TV+'s 'Shrinking,' his early motivations for acting, and his deep concerns about the future of cinema. The Emmy-nominated star revealed that portraying a character with Parkinson's disease while working alongside Michael J. Fox, who lives with the condition, brought an intense gravity to the project. This experience, coupled with reflections on his career and the film industry, formed the core of his candid conversation. Ford elaborated on the emotional weight of his current role, stating, 'Here I am now, playing a guy with Parkinson's, and I'm sitting next to Michael J. Fox. This is serious shit, man. This is not insignificant for me.' He explained that this collaboration forced a deeper, more respectful engagement with the material, moving beyond mere performance to a shared human experience. The actor connected this to a lifelong pattern of using his craft to explore complex realities, a drive he traced back to his youth. Reflecting on his origins, Ford disclosed that a period of depression in his early life was a pivotal catalyst for pursuing acting. He described the art form as a means of processing emotion and connecting with others, a therapeutic outlet that shaped his entire career. This introspection led him to express a sobering outlook on the movie industry's trajectory. Ford voiced being 'terribly concerned' about the future of moviegoing, lamenting the shift toward streaming and home viewing, which he fears diminishes the collective, communal magic of the cinematic experience that defined his era.