'It really stayed with me': Jeffrey Wright reflects on life lesson 'gracious' Harrison Ford taught him

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK CITY: During a recent episode of 'Jimmy Kimmel Live,' actor Jeffrey Wright shared a significant encounter from the early days of his career with Hollywood veteran Harrison Ford.

Wright, renowned for his role in 'American Fiction,' reminisced about his past while discussing the filming of the 1990 movie 'Presumed Innocent' during his time on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live.

Jeffrey Wright calls Harrison Ford 'so wonderful, so gracious'

In Wright's inaugural major film, 'Presumed Innocent' in 1990, where he had a modest role and minimal finances, he admitted, "I had no idea what I was doing."

Despite this, Wright recalled Ford, the seasoned star at the pinnacle of his career, "was so wonderful. He was so, so gracious."

A memorable moment occurred during rehearsals when director Alan Pakula called out to Ford, who respectfully responded with a simple "Sir?"

Wright shared with Kimmel, "It was like, whoa. This is not like the fun and games that I expected. This is not like, loosen the pants. There’s a level of respect and a level of decorum that he’s showing here to this man and to the process. And it really, it really stayed with me.”

Jimmy Kimmel noted that it was a valuable lesson, saying, "If Han Solo can say 'sir,' so can everyone else." Jeffrey Wright agreed, emphasizing the universality of showing respect.

Wright mentioned that he recently saw Harrison Ford at the Golden Globes, and when he shared the impact of that memorable moment with Ford, the actor might not have remembered it but "was kind of touched by it," according to Wright.  

When Jeffrey Wright's children met Harrison Ford

Wright also talked about the time he took his kids to the Golden Globes on January 7, providing an opportunity for his children to meet the legendary actor, Ford. 

Kimmel asked Wright "Good looking kids you got there did they behave themselves at the show," mentioning that he had previously met them and also complimenting their appearance.

The host, Kimmel then asked about which celebrities at the Golden Globes excited the kids the most, to which Wright replied, "Well you know they did get a chance to meet Harrison Ford and that was pretty cool!"

"Harrison Ford is a guy like..... you could be 95 years old you could be 11 years old and you'll be excited to see Harris you have an appreciation for him," Wright said.