Harrison Ford’s character in Apple TV’s Shrinking has Parkinson’s disease, leading some fans to question whether the 83-year-old actor has the condition in real life
Fans of Shrinking have been questioning whether Hollywood legend Harrison Ford has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease following the third season premiere on Apple TV.
The iconic actor has brought to life numerous memorable characters throughout his illustrious career, including Han Solo, Indiana Jones, Jack Ryan, and Jacob Dutton in the Yellowstone franchise.
His most recent role is Dr Paul Rhoades, an elderly therapist and gruff mentor to Jimmy Laird (portrayed by Jason Segel ) in Apple TV’s popular comedy-drama series.
The critically praised show made its return this Wednesday (28th January) with an hour-long premiere episode, featuring Paul navigating life after receiving a Parkinson’s diagnosis.
However, some viewers are questioning whether Paul’s storyline reflects a genuine health issue for the cherished film star. Here’s what we know, reports the Express.
Does Harrison Ford have Parkinson’s disease?
No, Harrison Ford does not suffer from Parkinson’s in reality, and the 83 year old cinema icon is widely believed to be in good health.
Parkinson’s disease results in progressive damage to parts of the brain over what can be many years. The condition causes uncontrollable tremors, rigid muscles and slowed movement, whilst also impacting cognitive abilities including memory, emotional wellbeing and sleep patterns.
Ford was recently forced to pull out of presenting at the 2025 Academy Awards after being diagnosed with shingles. However, Entertainment Tonight quickly confirmed he was “doing okay and resting at home”.
The star has kept fit and well into his 80s through regular exercise and a healthy diet.
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Speaking to Ellen DeGeneres in 2020, he revealed he cycles and plays tennis, but doesn’t “work out like crazy”. His diet consists mainly of fish and vegetables.
Although Ford doesn’t have Parkinson’s himself, his authentic portrayal of Paul, whose condition has progressively deteriorated over the past two seasons of Shrinking, has won widespread acclaim.
One particularly impressed viewer is Back to the Future legend Michael J Fox, a Parkinson’s campaigner who received his diagnosis in the early 1990s. He appears in a cameo role as Gerry in Shrinking’s third season premiere and recently disclosed that Ford’s performance “brought him to tears”.
“That’s one thing that’s amazing about Harrison,” Fox told Vanity Fair. “I don’t have to convince him I have Parkinson’s, but he had to convince me he had Parkinson’s.
“What I wasn’t prepared for was how much of his own understanding of the disease he brought to it.
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“I mean, I recognised Parkinson’s in his eyes. The things I was feeling, I recognised in the way he was expressing himself.”
Ford heaped also praise on his co-star, describing Fox as “generous, supportive, open, just a wonderful person”, before adding, “[and a] pretty goddamn good actor too”.
“It’s a daunting disease and also a daunting job to represent it in an appropriate way. It was a very important experience for me to have,” he continued. “Michael is an extraordinarily powerful person.”
Shrinking season 3 continues Wednesdays on Apple TV.