Not everyone who grows up in a Hollywood family dreams of becoming an actor. Willard Ford, the son of legendary actor Harrison Ford, is a good example. While his father spent decades playing unforgettable characters on the big screen, Willard found himself drawn to a different world. Old buildings, clothing stores, furniture design, and fitness training interested him far more than movie cameras. He eventually turned those interests into several business ventures in Los Angeles.
Born on May 14, 1969, Willard Ford is 57 years old in 2026. His mother is Mary Marquardt, Harrison Ford’s first wife. Although Willard grew up watching his father become one of Hollywood’s biggest names, he never made acting his profession. He studied at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and later became involved in businesses such as Strong Sports Gym, Ludwig Clothing Company, and the Kim Sing Theatre. His career has had its share of changes, but one thing has remained clear: he has always been interested in making something useful out of an idea.
Quick Bio
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Willard Ford |
| Date of Birth | May 14, 1969 |
| Age (2026) | 57 Years Old |
| Birthplace | United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Businessman, Entrepreneur, Fitness Professional |
| Famous For | Being the Son of Harrison Ford |
| Father | Harrison Ford |
| Mother | Mary Marquardt |
| Siblings | Benjamin Ford, Malcolm Ford, Georgia Ford, Liam Flockhart |
| Education | University of California, Santa Cruz |
| Degree | Bachelor of Arts in American Studies |
| Children | Eliel Ford and Guiliana Ford |
| Business Ventures | Strong Sports Gym, Ludwig Clothing Company, Kim Sing Theatre |
Who Is Willard Ford?
Willard Ford is an American businessman and fitness professional who has worked in several industries over the years. He is the second child of Harrison Ford and Mary Marquardt, making him part of one of the most recognizable families in American entertainment.
But there is more to him than that family connection. Willard has owned a historic theater building, helped run a furniture showroom, worked with a clothing brand, and spent years involved in fitness coaching. His career has been anything but ordinary, especially when compared with the acting path many people might have expected him to follow.
His Childhood Before Hollywood Became a Family Name
When Willard was born in 1969, Harrison Ford was still working his way through Hollywood. He had not yet become the famous face of Star Wars or Indiana Jones. Harrison and Mary were raising two young boys, Benjamin and Willard, while he continued looking for better acting opportunities.
Things changed dramatically in 1977, when Star Wars became a worldwide success. Willard was only eight years old. His father was suddenly becoming a household name, but family life was also changing. Harrison and Mary divorced in 1979, when Willard was around ten.
There is little public information about Willard’s everyday childhood, and he has not spoken extensively about growing up with a famous father. What is clear from his adult career is that he developed interests that took him well outside the entertainment industry.
Willard Ford’s Education
Willard attended the University of California, Santa Cruz, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in American Studies. The course looks at American history, culture, politics, and everyday society.
His choice of subject is interesting because he later entered businesses that were not directly related to his degree. He did not train to become an actor or study business management as his main subject. Instead, his professional experience developed through the projects he took on after university.
Those projects eventually brought him into contact with architects, furniture makers, clothing designers, and fitness trainers. He learned about several industries through practical involvement rather than following one fixed career path.
His First Steps Into Business
Willard Ford became particularly interested in design and retail. In Los Angeles, he worked on projects involving contemporary furniture and creative spaces, including a showroom business called FordBrady.
The showroom brought together furniture from different designers. It was not simply a place to buy household items. It also provided an opportunity for architects, artists, and people interested in design to meet and explore new work.
In 2009, the business changed its name to Ford & Ching after Willard and his partner John Brady decided to go their separate ways professionally. Andrea Ching joined the business, helping it move in a new direction.
Willard spoke openly at the time about mistakes made while developing the showroom. That makes this part of his career particularly interesting. His businesses did not always run smoothly, and he had to make changes when something was not working.
The Remarkable Story of Kim Sing Theatre
One of the most memorable chapters in Willard Ford’s career began with an old movie theater in Los Angeles.
The Kim Sing Theatre had opened in Chinatown in 1926. Over the decades, it had been used for different kinds of entertainment before its days as a working cinema came to an end. Willard purchased the property in 2000 for approximately $300,000.
The building was not ready to serve his business needs without major changes. Working with XTen Architects, Willard transformed its interior while keeping important parts of the original structure. The old neon sign remained, along with features that reminded visitors of the building’s history.
Inside, the space became something very different from a traditional theater. There were furniture showrooms, retail areas, a courtyard, and a large residential loft. It became a place where business and design could exist under the same roof.
The building also attracted major companies looking for an unusual event venue. BMW, Nike, Pepsi, and other well-known names held events connected with the property.
After owning the building for sixteen years, Willard sold Kim Sing Theatre for $3.3 million in 2016. The sale marked the end of a long project that had become an important part of his business career.
Ludwig Clothing Company and His Interest in Fashion
Furniture and buildings were not Willard’s only interests. He also became involved in men’s fashion through Ludwig Clothing Company, a brand he developed alongside designer Mike Dytri.
Ludwig offered casual clothing with influences from music, art, and street culture. The name was inspired by composer Ludwig van Beethoven, although the designs had a modern and sometimes playful appearance.
In June 2009, the brand opened a store in Los Angeles’ Chinatown. It was located within the Kim Sing Theatre complex, bringing another retail business into the same creative space.
The shop gave Willard an opportunity to explore clothing retail while continuing his work with furniture and design. It was another example of the different business ideas he pursued during those years.
Strong Sports Gym: Turning Fitness Into a Career
Away from clothing and property, Willard developed a lasting interest in physical training. He had spent years enjoying activities such as cycling, boxing, and strength workouts.
In 2006, he founded Strong Sports Gym with Kengo Ura, his longtime training partner. The business focused on helping people become stronger, fitter, and more confident in their physical abilities.
The gym placed importance on structured training rather than simply providing equipment. Strength, conditioning, movement, and individual progress were central parts of its approach.
Running a fitness business brought different challenges from managing retail spaces. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the original Los Angeles gym closed in 2020, a difficult period for many businesses that depended on people visiting in person.
Willard continued to be associated with Strong Sports and fitness coaching in Pasadena. His involvement in training has become one of the most recognizable parts of his working life.
A Shared Interest in Cycling With His Father
Although Willard Ford and Harrison Ford chose very different careers, they share an interest in outdoor activities.
Willard has spent years involved in cycling, both as a form of exercise and as a way to explore new places. In 2021, he helped organize a cycling trip through Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula, with his father joining the journey.
Harrison Ford has also been known for enjoying outdoor adventures, including flying and cycling. Their shared interest in physical activity gives a small glimpse into their relationship beyond Hollywood and business.
Willard Ford’s Parents and Siblings
Willard’s father, Harrison Ford, has enjoyed one of the longest and most successful careers in Hollywood. His mother, Mary Marquardt, was Harrison’s first wife, and they were married from 1964 until 1979.
Willard’s older brother, Benjamin Ford, works as a chef and restaurateur. The two brothers both found careers outside the film industry.
Willard also has three younger half-siblings. Malcolm Ford and Georgia Ford were born during Harrison’s marriage to screenwriter Melissa Mathison. His youngest half-brother, Liam Flockhart, was adopted by Harrison after he married actress Calista Flockhart.
The family members have followed different interests, from cooking and music to acting and business.
Is Willard Ford Married? His Children and Family
Willard has generally kept his romantic relationships away from media attention. Unlike some relatives of famous actors, he does not regularly appear in interviews discussing his personal life. His current marital status has not been clearly established through reliable public reporting.
He is the father of two children, Eliel Ford and Guiliana Ford. Both are grandchildren of Harrison Ford.
Most information about Willard concerns his professional activities rather than his home life. He has not made his family relationships a major part of his public image, and relatively little is known about his children’s personal lives.
Willard Ford’s Net Worth in 2026
It is easy to find websites claiming to know how much money Willard Ford has, but there is no dependable public record confirming his exact net worth.
He has earned money through different business activities, including fitness, fashion, furniture, and property. The Kim Sing Theatre sale in 2016 remains one of the best-documented financial transactions connected with his name.
However, the $3.3 million sale price does not tell us how much profit he made. The building required development work, and other business costs would also have affected the final amount.
Without confirmed financial statements, an exact estimate of his personal wealth would be misleading.
Where Is Willard Ford Today?
In 2026, Willard Ford is still mainly recognized for his background in fitness and entrepreneurship. His work with Strong Sports remains an important part of his professional story.
He has already spent decades moving between different business interests. Some ventures, such as his involvement with the Kim Sing Theatre, belong to an earlier stage of his career. Others, particularly his fitness work, have remained closely connected with his name.
He does not receive constant media attention, and there are relatively few detailed interviews about his current everyday life. Even so, the businesses he has developed provide a clear picture of how he has spent his working years.
Conclusion
There is an interesting contrast between the careers of Harrison Ford and his son Willard Ford. One became famous by bringing imaginary characters to life. The other spent years working with real buildings, clothing brands, furniture, and fitness businesses.
Willard’s career has not been a straight journey from one success to the next. He has changed business partners, worked in different industries, and dealt with the difficulties that come with running a company. His transformation of the Kim Sing Theatre remains one of his most notable achievements, while Strong Sports reflects his continued interest in physical fitness.
For someone born into such a recognizable Hollywood family, Willard has managed to build a working life that looks very different from his father’s. And that is what makes his story worth knowing.
(FAQs)
Who is Willard Ford?
Willard Ford is an American entrepreneur and fitness professional. He is best known as the son of Harrison Ford and Mary Marquardt.
How old is Willard Ford in 2026?
Willard Ford was born on May 14, 1969. He is 57 years old as of October 2026.
What businesses is Willard Ford known for?
He is known for Strong Sports Gym, Ludwig Clothing Company, Ford & Ching, and his former ownership of the Kim Sing Theatre.
Does Willard Ford have children?
Yes. Willard has two children, Eliel Ford and Guiliana Ford. He keeps most details about his family outside public attention.
What is Willard Ford’s net worth?
Willard Ford’s exact net worth is not publicly confirmed. His business history includes several ventures and the $3.3 million sale of Kim Sing Theatre in 2016.
