Harrison Ford Mourns Death of Onscreen Father Sean Connery

Harrison Ford paid tribute to his Indiana Jones’ father, Sean Connery. The legendary actor died Saturday at his home in the Bahamas. He was 90.

Among Connery’s numerous, iconic roles and films, one of his most beloved was Henry Jones Sr. in 1989’s Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.

“He was my father … not in life … but in Indy 3,” Ford said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. “You don’t know pleasure until someone pays you to take Sean Connery for a ride in the sidecar of a Russian motorcycle bouncing along a bumpy, twisty mountain trail and getting to watch him squirm. God we had fun — if he’s in heaven, I hope they have golf courses. Rest in peace dear friend.”

Director Steven Spielberg said in a making-of featurette that the casting of Indiana’s father was a no-brainer. “There is only one option when it comes to playing Indy’s father and that is James Bond. The original James Bond, the great James Bond: Sean Connery,” Spielberg said.

Along with all the wit and humor that Connery brought to the role, his character also delivered what is considered by most fans to be the most emotional moment in the entire series: When the elder Dr. Jones finally calls his son “Indiana” in order to save him from falling to his death.

George Lucas said of Connery’s death: “Sir Sean Connery, through his talent and drive, left an indelible mark in cinematic history. His audiences spanned generations, each with favorite roles he played. He will always hold a special place in my heart as Indy’s dad. With an air of intelligent authority and sly sense of comedic mischief, only someone like Sean Connery could render Indiana Jones immediately into boyish regret or relief through a stern fatherly chiding or rejoiceful hug. I’m thankful for having had the good fortune to have known and worked with him. My thoughts are with his family.”

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