I suddenly realized that the fellow who didn't show up was getting about fifty-times more money than I was getting. So I thought, 'this is silly,' and became an actor. I certainly never thought I'd wind up in motion pictures. That was far beyond anything I'd ever dreamed of.

He was promoted to commander in 1963 and captain in 1968. He suggested doing a western series instead which resulted in the "modern day western" series Cade's County. Death
Ford suffered a series of minor strokes which left him in frail health in the years leading up to his death.

Despite his versatility Ford was best known for playing ordinary men in unusual circumstances.