At 83, Harrison Ford has finally joined television’s honors roll, securing his first Primetime Emmy nomination—Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series—for his turn as blunt‑but‑big‑hearted therapist Dr. Paul Rhoades on Apple TV+’s “Shrinking.”
The veteran actor, whose six‑decade résumé spans “Star Wars” to “Indiana Jones,” will face fellow nominees Ike Barinholtz (“The Studio”), Colman Domingo (“The Four Seasons”), Jeff Hiller (“Somebody Somewhere”), Ebon Moss‑Bachrach (“The Bear”), Bowen Yang (“Saturday Night Live”) and “Shrinking” co‑star Michael Urie when the Television Academy votes ahead of the 77th ceremony on 14 September. Although Ford counts Oscar and Golden Globe nods, he had never been recognized by the Emmys until Tuesday’s announcement.
Created by Bill Lawrence, Brett Goldstein and Jason Segel, “Shrinking” follows a trio of California therapists navigating personal grief and professional ethics. Ford’s character confronts a progressive Parkinson’s diagnosis—a storyline woven with input from medical consultants and praised by advocacy groups for its nuance. The role has already earned him Critics’ Choice, SAG and Golden Globe nominations, and critics credit his dry timing for anchoring the series’ blend of gallows humor and emotional candor.
“We’re not going to sugar‑coat it,” Ford told Entertainment Weekly ahead of Season 2, describing Paul’s worsening symptoms as “a very challenging and difficult disease” his character meets with trademark resilience. Cast‑mate Jessica Williams called his Thanksgiving monologue “the best acting I’ve ever seen in person,” while Segel compared the scene to “the definition of art.”
The nod caps a redemption arc after Ford was widely viewed as a snub in 2024. Season 2’s success helped clinch a swift renewal, and production on Season 3 began last month with guest stars Michael J. Fox—returning to screen work after his 2020 retirement—and Jeff Daniels. Beyond awards buzz, the show’s empathetic portrait of Parkinson’s has been cited by patient advocates as a rare mainstream depiction that balances realism with hope, underscoring why even Hollywood’s most iconic leading man can still break new ground on the small screen.
