At 83 years old, Harrison Ford is no stranger to being mobbed by fans of Han Solo or Indiana Jones, but the legendary actor says his role as Dr. Paul Rhoades in the Apple TV+ hit Shrinking has fundamentally changed the way the world relates to him. Speaking at a series panel on Sunday, Ford expressed deep gratitude for the show’s decision to give his character Parkinson’s disease, calling it a vital shift in his decade-spanning career.

The Shift from Hero to Human

For Ford, playing a therapist grappling with a degenerative condition wasn’t just another job; it was a chance to bridge the gap between his cinematic “hero” past and his current reality.

• The Quote: “I am glad to come to the point where this is who I am, and that was who I was,” Ford told co-creator Bill Lawrence, noting that the “complication” of Parkinson’s has added a new “roundness” to his life.

• The Street Effect: Ford revealed that the storyline has even altered his daily interactions, saying the way people approach him in public now feels more personal and grounded than ever before.

The Michael J. Fox Connection

One of the highlights of Season 3 was the arrival of Michael J. Fox, who guest-starred as Gerry, a fellow Parkinson’s patient and new friend to Ford’s character. Despite his own status as a Hollywood titan, Ford admitted he was “a little nervous” about meeting Fox, who has lived with Parkinson’s in the public eye for decades.

• The Friendship: Ford praised Fox as an “incredibly thoughtful, compassionate, and wise” person who extended a hand of friendship that gave Ford the confidence to tackle the sensitive material.

• The Bond: The off-screen generosity from Fox—who previously worked with Bill Lawrence on Spin City—helped anchor the emotional core of the season.

What’s Next for Dr. Paul Rhoades?

While the Season 3 finale left many viewers fearing for Paul’s future, fans can breathe a sigh of relief. Bill Lawrence confirmed that Harrison Ford will be back for Season 4. The upcoming season is set to feature a significant time jump, allowing the show to explore a new phase of the characters’ lives while continuing to navigate the realities of Paul’s health.

As Ford enters his mid-80s, he seems less interested in revisiting his old action-star tropes and more focused on the “nurturing” work of playing a man facing the inevitable complexities of aging—a move that has clearly resonated with audiences worldwide.