Who played Indiana Jones' father in The Last Crusade?

Who played Indiana Jones’ father in The Last Crusade? Sean Connery. Connery plays Professor Henry Jones Sr., Indiana’s estranged father, in the 1989 film Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Henry is a professor of medieval literature whose lifelong obsession is locating the Holy Grail, and his research ultimately draws both him and his son into a race against the Nazis.

The casting deliberately brought together two iconic screen adventurers: Harrison Ford, famous as Indiana Jones, and Connery, widely known for playing James Bond. Spielberg and Lucas viewed Connery’s Bond persona as one of the inspirations behind Indiana Jones, making him a particularly fitting choice for the role of Indy’s father. Connery’s performance also gives the film much of its humor and emotional tension.

The father-son relationship is central to the story. Henry initially treats Indiana as “Junior” and seems more devoted to scholarship than parenting, while Indiana resents being placed second to the Grail. Their journey gradually repairs that distance. Denholm Elliott plays Marcus Brody, John Rhys-Davies plays Sallah, and Harrison Ford plays Indiana Jones—not his father.