Hollywood Actor Glenn Ford’s Only Child Peter: What Happened to Him?

Glenn Ford built a lasting Hollywood legacy as one of the screen’s best-known Western stars. For a time, his only child, Peter Ford, appeared ready to carry that tradition forward. But instead of remaining in show business, Peter eventually pursued a surprisingly diverse career far beyond the entertainment world.

Glenn earned acclaim for performances in films including “Gilda” and “Pocket Full of Miracles,” and was later inducted into the Hall of Great Western Performers. Peter’s mother, Eleanor Powell, was an even earlier entertainment icon, celebrated at MGM as the “Queen of Tap Dancing.” Given his parents’ fame, it was easy to assume Peter would become Hollywood’s next-generation star. He began performing before graduating high school, secured a deal with Capitol Records and was mentored by Nat “King” Cole. Yet by the 1970s, Peter was looking beyond acting and music. As he explained on “From Beneath the Hollywood Sign”, marriage and family responsibilities made it clear that the roles he was landing did not provide enough financial stability.

According to Peter’s website, he joined the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department in 1973. He worked as a reserve deputy in the department’s photo unit, a position he held until the mid-1990s. His professional life continued to expand from there: Peter also worked as a house flipper, contractor and radio host. In 2010, he added local politics to the list when he became the Los Angeles County Republican Party’s second vice chair. Leaving Hollywood clearly did not mean slowing down.

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Peter returned to his family’s story in 2011 with “Glenn Ford: A Life,” a book examining his father’s career and personal life. During an interview with Connie Martinson, Peter said the project took seven years because he wanted to honor Glenn’s talent without turning the book into a harsh personal attack. “It took me seven years to write this book, because I wanted to pay homage to him as an actor and I didn’t want to do a ‘Daddy Dearest,’” he said. Peter has openly acknowledged that their relationship was difficult, even telling Martinson that Glenn never said he loved him. Still, he emphasized that his goal was to be truthful while recognizing his father as “an exceptional, exceptional actor.”

Peter also told Martinson that he hoped to continue writing, including the possibility of publishing a book about his mother. Such a project could help renew interest in Eleanor Powell’s remarkable career—something Peter has repeatedly said matters to him. During an appearance on the “From Beneath the Hollywood Sign Podcast”, he said, “I wish my mom’s legacy were more embraced by people. I wish they knew more about her.”

Although Hollywood talent can sometimes reappear in a family’s next generation—or even with grandchildren—Peter’s children chose different paths. He said on “From Beneath the Hollywood Sign” that his sons entered the finance world, while his daughter works for the Salvation Army. For now, the Ford-Powell entertainment legacy rests with Glenn and Eleanor’s accomplishments, though their great-grandchildren could always be the ones to return the family name to show business.