At 83, Harrison Ford is still asking the kinds of questions most artists reserve for retirement. Speaking during Apple TV’s 2026 Press Day at Santa Monica’s Barker Hangar on Tuesday, Feb. 3, the legendary actor opened up about why starring in the comedy-drama Shrinking has become one of the most personally meaningful chapters of his long career.
Ford, best known for iconic roles in Indiana Jones and Star Wars, described Shrinking as “a different kind of job,” one that prompted deep reflection when he first signed on. “Where do you go from here?” Ford recalled asking himself, according to The Hollywood Reporter. For him, the answer wasn’t about box office numbers or legacy franchises, but about meaning. “If it was all over here, that would be sufficient,” he said, underscoring how fulfilled he feels by the work.
The series, which premiered in 2023 and recently launched its third season, places Ford in the role of Dr. Paul Rhoades, a senior therapist at a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy center who is navigating life and work after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. The subject matter, paired with the show’s blend of humor and emotional honesty, appears to have struck a deeply personal chord. “This is very special and it really nurtures me,” Ford said. “It makes me feel like what we’re doing has value and importance. I look for that in my life and I’m happy to have found it here.”
During the press panel, Ford was joined by cast members Jessica Williams, Christa Miller, Ted McGinley, Michael Urie, Luke Tennie, and Lukita Maxwell, with moderator Ashley Nicole Black guiding the discussion. Together, they reflected on how the show balances comedy with vulnerability, a tone that has helped Shrinking resonate strongly with audiences.
Season 3 also introduces high-profile newcomers, including Jeff Daniels and Michael J. Fox, whose appearance carries particular emotional weight. Williams, 36, told PEOPLE that watching Fox act opposite Ford was “very surreal,” calling Fox “one of the greatest actors ever.” She admitted she stayed on set even after wrapping her scenes just to witness the moment. “It was a pinch-me moment,” she said. “You just stay and watch it happen.”
Series co-creator Bill Lawrence echoed that sentiment, praising Fox’s enduring talent and impeccable comedic timing, even during his three-episode arc.
With Apple TV renewing Shrinking for a fourth season and new episodes of season 3 dropping weekly through April 8, Ford’s journey with the series is far from over. Still, his words suggest that even if it ended tomorrow, the experience has already given him something rare: a sense of purpose that continues to grow, even after a lifetime in the spotlight.