In a 2012 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, George Lucas revealed that the name of one of the most famous movie characters in history was inspired by his dog.
Lucas said that he named his dog Indiana after hearing director John Ford refer to the state as “the heartland of America.” Inspired by his dog’s name, Lucas chose the name “Indiana Jones” for the adventurous archeologist character he created.
The character of Indiana Jones first appeared in the 1981 movie Raiders of the Lost Ark, and has since starred in three other movies: Temple of Doom (1984), Last Crusade (1989), and Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008).
Harrison Ford played the role of Indiana Jones in all four movies, and won a Saturn Award for Best Actor for his performance in Raiders of the Lost Ark.
The character of Indiana Jones is one of the most iconic and popular movie characters of all time, and his adventures have thrilled audiences around the world. Thanks to his namesake, George Lucas’s dog Indiana has also become a bit of a celebrity!
