Legendary actor Harrison Ford received the highest honor at the 2026 Actor Awards (formerly the SAG Awards) on Sunday.

Before presenting the Life Achievement Award, actor Woody Harrelson described Ford as a “living legend” and a friend.

“I’m here to celebrate one of the greatest actors of all time — Leo DiCaprio,” Harrelson teased. “You have more talent in your little finger than I have in my little finger. Of all the actors in the world, you’re one of them. Everyone in this industry knows you.”

Harrelson also called Ford a “true renaissance man,” as well as an “iconic actor, distinguished pilot and a master carpenter who built his own home.”

“I don’t know how to work the coffee machine, and it’s a French press,” Harrelson joked.

After broadcasting a montage of Ford’s early career moments and biggest blockbuster movies, the 83-year-old actor delivered an emotional speech that had the entire audience hanging on his every word.

“I feel incredibly grateful for this kind attention. But to be clear, I also am quite humbled,” Ford said before joking, “That said, it is a little weird to be receiving a lifetime achievement award at the half point of my career. It’s a little weird, isn’t it? I’m still a working actor!”

Ford, who has nearly 90 acting credits to his name, then quipped that he was at the event to “receive a prize for being alive.”

In addition, Ford gave shoutouts to “Star Wars” creator George Lucas and “Indiana Jones” director Steven Spielberg and talked about how he was not an overnight success.

“This is a tough business to get into,” Ford said. “In my case, it’s a tough business to get out of. Thank God, because I love what I do.”

As he teared up on stage, Ford explained why he was fortunate to be a working actor.

“The stories we tell have a unique capacity to create moments with emotional connection. They bring us together,” he said. “So while we’re all at different stages of our lives and careers in this room, we all share something fundamental: We share the privilege of working in the world of ideas, of empathy, of imagination.”

Ford then offered his gratitude to those who had helped him throughout his career.

“I want to say thank you, truly, from the bottom of my heart, to my peers, [and] to my extraordinary, beautiful wife Calista and my family who have given me love and courage through all of it,” he said.

During Ford’s seven decades in Hollywood, he has tackled numerous roles that became cultural icons, including Han Solo in the “Star Wars” franchise and archaeologist Dr. Henry “Indiana” Jones Jr. in the “Indiana Jones” franchise. He’s also known for portraying Rick Deckard in two “Blade Runner” films, analyst Jack Ryan (“Patriot Games” and “Clear and Present Danger”) and John Book in “Witness,” which scored him an Oscar nomination for Best Actor.

The life achievement accolade isn’t the only honor Ford has received. He previously earned the Critics’ Choice Career Achievement Award (2024), an honorary Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival (2023), BAFTA’s Albert R. Broccoli Britannia Award (2015), the Golden Globes’ Cecil B. DeMille Award (2002) and the AFI Life Achievement Award (2000). He has also earned an Emmy nomination for playing Dr. Paul Rhoades in the Apple TV series “Shrinking.”

Ford is the 61st actor to receive the life achievement award, which is presented to an actor who possesses the “finest ideals of the acting profession.” Recent honorees include Jane Fonda, Barbra Streisand and Sally Field.

Ahead of the ceremony, Ford said he was “deeply honored to be chosen as this year’s recipient.”

“To be acknowledged by my fellow actors means a great deal to me,” he said. “I’ve spent most of my life on film sets, working alongside incredible actors and crews, and I’ve always felt grateful to be part of this community.”

Watch Ford’s speech below:

By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.