Harrison Ford & Melissa Mathison: $85 Million and a Share of Indiana Jones Forever
No prenup meant she received a portion of future Star Wars and Indiana Jones royalties — forever
Key Facts
What Happened
Harrison Ford, one of the highest-grossing actors in cinema history, married screenwriter Melissa Mathison (who wrote 'E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial') in 1983. They had two children together. The marriage was low-profile by Hollywood standards, and when they separated in 2001 after 18 years, few people outside the industry were aware of the split.
The divorce was finalized in 2004, and the financial consequences were staggering. Ford had no prenuptial agreement. Under California community property law, Mathison was entitled to half of Ford's earnings during their marriage. But the truly remarkable aspect was her claim to a portion of the future royalties from Ford's iconic film franchises, including Star Wars and Indiana Jones.
The settlement was estimated at $85 million or more, making it one of the largest in Hollywood history at the time. Critically, Mathison secured a percentage of Ford's future earnings from films made during their marriage. This meant that every time a Star Wars or Indiana Jones film was re-released, sold on DVD, or streamed, Mathison received a portion of Ford's residual income.
Mathison passed away in 2015 at age 65, but the structure of the settlement meant that her estate continued to receive income from Ford's franchises. The case became a landmark in entertainment divorce law, establishing that residual and royalty income from work created during the marriage is a divisible asset — not just the income earned at the time of divorce, but the ongoing revenue stream from that creative work.
Legal Breakdown: Future Earnings & Royalties
Residual & Royalty Rights
Income from creative works produced during the marriage is marital property. This includes residuals (payments when a film is re-aired or re-released), royalties, and backend profit participations. These can generate income for decades after the divorce.
Future Income from Past Work
A key principle in entertainment divorce: even though the films were already made, the ongoing income they generate is partly marital property because the work was created during the marriage. This principle applies to any creative or intellectual property work.
Estate Continuation
Mathison's rights to Ford's royalties continued even after her death, passing to her estate. This is typical — divorce settlements that include ongoing income streams are generally treated as property rights that survive death.
What This Means for Your Divorce
- →If your spouse is an actor, musician, author, or creator, their residual and royalty income from work created during the marriage is a marital asset.
- →Future income from past creative work can be worth more than current assets. Don't overlook residuals and royalties in settlement negotiations.
- →Without a prenup, all creative work produced during a marriage is community property in states like California.
- →Intellectual property rights in divorce can outlast both the marriage and the lives of the parties. Plan accordingly.
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This article is based on publicly available court records, news reports, and legal analysis. It is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by reading this content.
Divorce laws vary by jurisdiction. Always consult a licensed attorney in your area before making legal decisions.