Harrison Ford Expresses Gratitude to Tom Selleck for "Indiana Jones" Role

Harrison Ford has spoken out about how he landed the iconic role of Indiana Jones after Tom Selleck was forced to turn it down. Ford credits Selleck for paving the way for his success in the role that has become synonymous with his career.

In a recent interview with Deadline, Harrison Ford revealed how he came to be cast as the legendary Indiana Jones. The actor shared that his "Star Wars" collaborator, George Lucas, called him, insisting he read a script he was sending to his house.

"‘I want you to read it right away,'" Ford remembers Lucas telling him over the phone. "I want you to read it in an hour.’"

Ford went over to Steven Spielberg's house and spoke with him. Within an hour, he had the job.

"I guess about an hour later I had the job," Ford recalled.

Ford has since starred in all six of the "Indiana Jones" films, and the franchise has become one of the most successful in cinematic history.

However, it could have all been very different if not for Tom Selleck.

Selleck was originally offered the role of Indiana Jones, but he had already signed on to do a television series, "Magnum P.I." He was unable to get out of that contract, so the role went to Ford.

In his memoir, "You Never Know: A Memoir," Selleck describes the period as "the World Series of disappointments."

"You can make yourself a victim or just smile and say, ‘That’s really ironic,'” Selleck said.

"I had a good job coming up. A job I would have dreamed of, ‘Raiders’ or not," he added.

Selleck starred as private investigator Thomas Magnum on "Magnum P.I." for eight seasons.

In an interview with Fox News Digital, Karen Allen, who played Ford's love-interest in "Raiders of the Last Ark," said she knew Selleck had originally been linked to the project.

"Tom previously had done a pilot for ‘Magnum, P.I.’ before being asked to play Indiana Jones," she explained. "And when you do a pilot, you sign a contract that, if it gets picked up, you’re committed. So, they picked up the pilot. They picked up his option, and he could no longer play Indiana Jones.

Ford is grateful for the opportunity Selleck gave him, and he has said as much on several occasions.

"How I got the job? Tom Selleck had the job, but he also incurred an obligation to do a television series, and he was unable to get out of that contract," he told Deadline.

"I became the second choice, and I’m very grateful for Tom," he said. "Thank you, Tom, man. If you’re listening, thank you again."

Ford's performance as Indiana Jones has become iconic, and the character has become one of the most beloved in cinema history. It's safe to say that Selleck's decision to turn down the role ultimately paved the way for Ford's success.

In a twist of fate, Selleck went on to star in the hit TV series "Magnum, P.I.," which also became a huge success.

Both Ford and Selleck have had long and successful careers, and they have both made their mark on the entertainment industry.

But it's clear that without Selleck's fateful decision to turn down the role of Indiana Jones, Ford would never have had the opportunity to create one of the most iconic characters in cinema history.