Harrison Ford, recovering Friday from the crash of a vintage World War II trainer, is just one of many Hollywood stars who embrace flying as passionately as they do acting, according to a story in The Daily Mail, which lists a number of stars who have their pilot’s certificate, including Tom Cruise, Clint Eastwood, Morgan Freeman, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, John Travolta, Michael Dorn, Edward Norton, Kurt Russell and Hilary Swank, who began learning to fly while starring in a movie about Amelia Earhart. The article quotes Ford as saying, “I’ve been working for a living (as an actor) to support my airplane habit.” Read the full story here.
No offense, but whoop-tee-doo…. I have met a few of these folks at AirVenture and was always very unimpressed. They just happen to have a profession that puts them in front of a camera, big deal. Wonder how long they’d survive doing a real job. If they are so passionate about aviation, why don’t they speak out against leading politicians who have attacked private aviation since January 2009 – we all know who has led this attack. I remain unimpressed.
Kent, It’s fine to criticize, but get your facts straight. Harrison Ford has been a tireless advoate for you and me, donating time and money to GA for decades, including speaking out vocally in numerous venues, political and otherwise.
And most of us folks in Hollywood work as hard or harder than anyone else, including actors. It’s considered not unusual to work a 24 hour day, and to go for months without a day off…actors included.
Again, no problem with opinions. But first let’s get the facts out there.
Bob is exactly right. Harrison Ford, for example, has advocated GA as head of EAA’s Young Eagles Program, giving free aircraft rides to kids age 7-17. I have a neighbor across the street who works for the Hollywood film industry-he is away from his family some times months at a time. I have also met some film celebrities at EAA Airventure and their aviation dedication is first and foremost while there. We are all aircraft pilots-that’s a common bond.