Harrison Ford pays tribute to Star Wars co-star Peter Mayhew and talks the legacy of Indiana Jones on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

Harrison Ford paid tribute to his late Star Wars co-star Peter Mayhew and reflected on the legacy of Indiana Jones on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Thursday.

The 76 year old icon was promoting his role in the animated sequel The Secret Life of Pets 2, when he paid tribute to Mayhew.

The 7-foot-3-inch actor who played Chewbacca in the original Star Wars movies, passed away in April at the age of 74, and Ford delivered a lovely tribute to him.

Paying homage: Harrison Ford paid tribute to his late Star Wars co-star Peter Mayhew and reflected on the legacy of Indiana Jones on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Thursday

Paying homage: Harrison Ford paid tribute to his late Star Wars co-star Peter Mayhew and reflected on the legacy of Indiana Jones on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Thursday

'He was a really sweet man, nice man, and he had a hard time physically. It was really hard for him to do for us, what he did for all of us,' Ford said.

Mayhew had knee problems throughout his career, and he underwent a double knee replacement surgery in 2013.

'He did it with real dignity and class. He was a really neat guy, I miss him,' Ford said. 

Sweet man: 'He was a really sweet man, nice man, and he had a hard time physically. It was really hard for him to do for us, what he did for all of us,' Ford said
Sweet man: 'He was a really sweet man, nice man, and he had a hard time physically. It was really hard for him to do for us, what he did for all of us,' Ford said

Sweet man: 'He was a really sweet man, nice man, and he had a hard time physically. It was really hard for him to do for us, what he did for all of us,' Ford said

Ford also spoke about the legacy of his iconic Indiana Jones character, since Thursday just happened to mark the 35th anniversary of Indiana Jones and the Temple Of Doom.

Temple of Doom was the follow-up to 1981's Raiders of the Lost Ark, which introduced Ford's iconic character Indiana Jones, with the actor revealing he had hoped it would be a big hit.  

'Yeah! Yeah, I was hoping, yeah it was. Look, it was based on those kind of Saturday matinee cliffhanger type of deals, that I watched when I was a kid, but you wouldn't know anything about,' he said with a laugh.

Star: Ford also spoke about the legacy of his iconic Indiana Jones character, since Thursday just happened to mark the 35th anniversary of Indiana Jones and the Temple Of Doom

Star: Ford also spoke about the legacy of his iconic Indiana Jones character, since Thursday just happened to mark the 35th anniversary of Indiana Jones and the Temple Of Doom

'You don’t go into these things anticipating the level of success that achieved,’ he added.

Ford's appearance on The Tonight show coincided with Fleet Week in New York City, with Ford taking the opportunity to thank the servicemen and servicewomen in attendance.

'I’m honored to be in the company of these fine young men and women,’ he said, which drew a round of applause from the crowd. 

Tribute: Ford's appearance on The Tonight show coincided with Fleet Week in New York City, with Ford taking the opportunity to thank the servicemen and servicewomen in attendance

Tribute: Ford's appearance on The Tonight show coincided with Fleet Week in New York City, with Ford taking the opportunity to thank the servicemen and servicewomen in attendance

He also spoke about his role as Rooster the farm dog in The Secret Life of Pets 2, his first ever voice role in a major animated motion picture.

'Yeah I guess so,' Ford said when asked if he enjoyed himself on the animated sequel. 'Nobody has ever asked me before, but I had fun.'

Richard Madden was also a guest on Fallon Thursday night, who spoke about how Game of Thrones turned his career around, since he was close to being homeless when he landed the role.

Dapper: Richard Madden was also a guest on Fallon Thursday night, who spoke about how Game of Thrones turned his career around, since he was close to being homeless when he landed the role

Dapper: Richard Madden was also a guest on Fallon Thursday night, who spoke about how Game of Thrones turned his career around, since he was close to being homeless when he landed the role

'I had like two options, I could buy one meal, or a newspaper and a pint,' he said. 'I got that phone call and I was on my last month’s rent and I asked my agent for an advance.'

Madden played Robb Stark in the first three seasons of Game of Thrones, before he was slaughtered at the Red Wedding at the end of Season 3. 

The British actor also talked about playing John Reid, Elton John's first manager and one-time boyfriend in the biopic Rocketman, in theaters May 31.

'I knew his music, the circle of life was the first one. I was very young. And now I’m kind of immersed with all his music which I love,' he said.

'I’m lucky enough to call him a friend now, which is lovely. He’s a beautiful man and the film is about compassion and struggle,' he added.

Robb Stark: Madden played Robb Stark in the first three seasons of Game of Thrones, before he was slaughtered at the Red Wedding at the end of Season 3

Robb Stark: Madden played Robb Stark in the first three seasons of Game of Thrones, before he was slaughtered at the Red Wedding at the end of Season 3

 

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Harrison Ford pays tribute to Star Wars co-star Peter Mayhew and Indiana Jones on Tonight Show

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