Last updated on: November 8, 2024
Melissa Mathison, a talented screenwriter, who has written some of the greats, such as E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, and was married to Harrison Ford for more than twenty years. Here’s how life unfolded for her, her career, and family.
| Quick Facts About Melissa Mathison | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Melissa Marie Mathison |
| Birthdate | 3 June 1950 |
| Occupation | Screenwriter |
| Husband | Harrison Ford (1983–2004) |
| Education | University of California, Berkeley (attended, did not graduate) |
| Age of death
Height |
4 November 2015 (age 65 years)
1.8 m |
| Parents | Richard Randolph Mathison and Margaret Jean Kieffer Mathison |
| Siblings | Four (including Bruce Mathison, her brother) |
| Children | Two: Malcolm Ford and Georgia Ford |
| Net Worth | Estimated $22 million at her death |
Early Life and Career
Melissa Mathison was born on June 3, 1950, in Los Angeles, California. She was a very creative child. After graduation, she assisted renowned filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola, and she received her Hollywood debut.
It wasn’t too long before the young Melissa Mathison started writing her screenplays and, very soon, her talents were noted.
Mathison wrote the screenplay for Steven Spielberg’s E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial in 1982. Her story of an extraterrestrial who befriends a young boy touched audiences around the globe. E.T. became one of the most financially successful films ever made and won Mathison an Oscar nomination. The movie’s classic story – friendship and understanding – is very moving, and much of that can be attributed to Mathison’s writing.
Marriage to Harrison Ford
In 1983, Mathison married Harrison Ford. They met in the late 1970s and began to come close owing to shared values and interests. Ford was already very popular at that time for his Star Wars movies as Han Solo and the Indiana Jones series. The couple from the media looked like an ideal power couple because they balanced fame and family life.
They also have two children. Son Malcolm is their child, born in 1987. Malcolm has gone on to continue his interest in music and is currently part of a group called band. The daughter Georgia was born in 1990; she too struts on the same path her father took up acting. Even though they are superstars, Mathison and Ford raised their children more or less out of the picture.
Life and Family Challenges
Mathison and Ford married and had some great times together. However, as Ford’s career started to take on more prominence, the problems in their marriage did as well. They separated in 2001 and remained divorced from 2004. They were able to make commitments to the children while attempting to live life without one another.
One of the deep concerns that emerged in Mathison’s life was her daughter Georgia’s struggling epilepsy. Ford once spoke about how really Georgia’s condition had hit the family. He classified her as his hero due to her unwavering strength in facing epilepsy. Mathison and Ford worked both in support of her and raising awareness about epilepsy.
Later Career and Contributions
After E.T., Mathison continued writing. She wrote the screenplay for The Indian in the Cupboard in 1995 and collaborated with director Martin Scorsese on Kundun in 1997. Kundun is a film about the Dalai Lama, reflecting Mathison’s deep interest in Tibetan Buddhism. Her work on the film earned her praise for her sensitive approach to cultural storytelling.
Mathison was also keen on helping other people. She advocated for the rights of Tibetans and participated in social movements to raise awareness about Tibetan culture and history. Her acts reflected the caring nature and a sense of commitment towards causes one believes in.
Her Last Years
Melissa Mathison died on November 27, 2015, after intense battles against the neuroendocrine cancer. Millions of fans, relatives, and friends undergo deep shock from her death. Ford was among those who paid tribute after her death to honor her creativity and spirit.
Though Mathison is gone, her legacy lives on. Her films, especially E.T., are highly popular with audiences of all ages. Although many years have elapsed since she passed away, the impact on screenwriting that she left behind continues to influence the voice of writers today, whereas her enthusiasm for storytelling has inspired generations within Hollywood.
READ ALSO: Harrison Ford Net worth, Age, Wife, Family, Facts & More
Legacy and Impact
Melissa Mathison’s life was filled with creativity, kindness, and an appreciation for storytelling. Marriage to Harrison Ford probably provided her with much public attention, but real inheritance is left behind through her work. As an example, E.T is now a classic reminding audiences of the power of imagination and friendship.
Through her children, her work, and the causes she cared about, Mathison’s impact continues. Her life is yet another testament to how one person’s talent and compassion can endure beyond death. She will be remembered as much for being a gifted screenwriter as a devoted mother, advocate, and artist.
Source: celebs.infoseemedia.com
