In a commencement address at Arizona State University that quickly went viral, actor Harrison Ford delivered a blunt assessment of the world his generation is handing off to younger Americans, calling it “a real mess” and urging graduates to channel their talents into rebuilding it.
Ford, 83, opened his speech Monday by admitting he wasted his own youth on what he called “riotous living.” He recalled stumbling into a drama class looking for an easy grade, only to discover a passion for acting. “Hiding in character, costume and makeup, I had a freedom, a bravery I had never felt before — and I got an A!” he joked. “I was, I realized, present for possibly the very first time in my life. My passion had led me to community.”
But passion alone wasn’t enough. Ford, who worked carpentry jobs to support his family even after the success of “Star Wars,” said he still felt something missing. “The load lightened. I had freedom, opportunity, but something was still missing,” he told the crowd of more than 14,000 undergraduates.
That changed in the 1980s when Ford discovered Conservation International, an environmental nonprofit. He argued that his true purpose emerged not from Hollywood fame but from activism on behalf of the planet. “Humanity is a part of nature, not above it,” he said, making a plea for environmental justice, social justice, and the protection of indigenous communities. “These communities have long understood that the trees, the mountain, water, soil are not commodities, they are relatives to be cherished.”
Ford’s address comes amid a broader generational divide over the nation’s direction, as younger voters increasingly question the legacy of earlier eras. He urged graduates to embrace a leadership role: “Whatever talent or ambition you have, find some way to put it to work. Build something that didn’t exist yesterday. Stand up for someone who can’t stand up for themselves. Bring people together that weren’t talking before. That’s leadership. That’s what moves the needle.”
Ford emphasized that young people hold more power than they realize. “Your generation has far more power than you may realize. And if you harness that power, if you find your leadership, your issues, your voice, the world will not be able to ignore you,” he said. The speech ended with a call to action: “This is your time. Own it. Enjoy every second of it. Because what could be worse than getting to the end of your life and realizing that you haven’t fully lived it. Congratulations. Go change the world.”
Before his address, Ford received an honorary Doctor of Arts and Humane Letters degree. Philanthropist Howard Buffett also received an honorary degree at the ceremony. The student body gave Ford a standing ovation as he exited the stage.
