81-Year-Old Harrison Ford Faced Similar Challenge as Arnold Schwarzenegger When He Started His Hollywood Journey

81-year-old Harrison Ford is a veteran actor who is among the highest-grossing actors in North America. Ford began his acting journey in 1964 and, over the decades, has played iconic characters like Indiana Jones, Han Solo, and more. His films have grossed billions at the box office. However, the Indiana Jones actor didn’t get a smooth start in the biz. In fact, he faced problems regarding his name, something Arnold Schwarzenegger also had to deal with.

Harrison Ford recently sat with the famous talk show host Conan O’Brien. During the Conan Needs a Friend podcast, the talk show host brought up the issue Ford faced with his name. Since show business is all about marketing the best image, a producer at Columbia Pictures told Harrison Ford to change his name in 1964.

Conan O’Brien couldn’t fathom the executive’s demand

O’Brien said he thought Harrison Ford was one of the “coolest” names of a leading man in Hollywood. “You cannot beat that name. Yet you were asked or it was suggested, early in your career, that you change your name! Who the f**k wanted you to change from Harrison Ford?” asked Conan O’Brien in astonishment. “Jerry Tokofsky,” replied Ford immediately.

One of the co-hosts commented, “Well, physician heal thyself,” inciting laughter from everyone present. The host said Jerry Tokofsky “hated” his name, and hence, wanted Ford to change his. O’Brien then asked what alternative name Ford provided. Yet again, the actor dryly said, “Jerry Tokofsky,” inciting further laughter in the studio.

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He explained that the Columbia Pictures executive told Ford his name sounded “too pretentious for a young man.” He also added that the producer was only four years his elder, yet always called him “boy.” However, the 81-year-old wasn’t done cracking jokes. He said the following day, he came back with another suggestion.

Rare Image Shows Arnold Schwarzenegger and Harrison Ford Pointing Fingers at Each Other at a Dinner Party

His new suggestion was wordplay and sarcasm at its best. “I said my new name is Curt Affair,” said Ford. The word “curt” means “rudely brief” in the dictionary. Hence, through sarcasm, Harrison Ford showed his disapproval of a forced name change. However, Arnold Schwarzenegger, on the other side, did not get a say when he started acting.

Arnold Schwarzenegger faced discrimination

Recently, Arnold Schwarzenegger narrated his autobiographical docu-series Arnold on Netflix. While speaking about his acting career, the bodybuilding icon said the producers of his first film, Hercules in New York (1969), changed his name. Since they thought Schwarzenegger was hard to pronounce, they changed Arnie’s name to Arnold Strong.

The seven-time Mr. Olympia also faced discrimination due to his accent. The Hercules in New York producers dubbed over Arnie’s voice because of his lack of fluency in English and thick accent. In 1982, legendary producer Dino De Laurentiis initially believed Schwarzenegger was a Nazi and tried to drop him from Conan the Barbarian. However, the producer later shunned his prejudice after talking to direct John Milius and meeting the Austrian Oak.

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