Dr. Henry Walton “Indiana” Jones Jr. (also known as Indy)
Born: July 1, 1899, in New Jersey
Family: Son of professor Henry Jones Sr.
Occupation: Fictional professor, archaeologist, adventurer and main protagonist of the 1981 adventure film “Raiders of the Lost Ark” (later retitled “Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark”); its prequel, “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” (1984); and the sequels “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” (1989) and “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” - which opens today in 12,000 locations worldwide, according to Variety.
Trademark: Jones is notable for his trademark bullwhip, fedora, leather jacket and fear of snakes.
Screen portrayals: The character is most famously played by Harrison Ford; however, he also has been portrayed by River Phoenix (as the young Indiana in “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade”), Corey Carrier, Sean Patrick Flanery and George Hall (TV’s “The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles” from 1992-93). In addition to his film and television appearances, the character has been featured in novels, comics, role-playing games, video games and other media.
Awards: “Raiders of the Lost Ark” received eight Academy Award nominations in 1982, including one for best picture. It won four. Its prequel, “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom,” won the 1985 Oscar for best effects/best visual effects. “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” won the 1990 Oscar for best effects/best sound effects.
Film trivia:
— Tom Selleck originally was cast as Indiana Jones in “Raiders of the Lost Ark” but bowed out because of his commitment to TV’s “Magnum, P.I.” (CBS reportedly refused to release Mr. Selleck because the series was gaining momentum.) Nick Nolte turned down the role. Mr. Ford, then 40, was cast less than three weeks before principal filming began.
— While filming “Raiders,” Mr. Ford badly bruised his ribs during the scene where he is dragged behind a truck.
— The original name of the lead character in the script was Indiana Smith. His name was changed to Jones by director Steven Spielberg on the first day of production.
— Indiana Jones’ kangaroo-hide bullwhip was sold in December 1999 at Christie’s auction house in London for $43,000.
Sources: The Internet Movie Database, Scripps Howard News Service
Please read our comment policy before commenting.