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Stories

Karen Allen Opens Up About ‘Indiana Jones’ Audition: ‘It Was Secretive’

by Lauren Novak

Published July 2, 2021

Karen Allen talks secretive audition for Indiana Jones

Karen Allen is perhaps best known for her role as Marion, Harrison Ford’s love interest, in the Indiana Jones franchise. It was actually one of her first acting roles too! She was only 22 years old at the time and thought she would just be a theater actor.

Her big-screen debut was in Animal House, but many fans know her for her role in Indiana Jones. Director Steven Spielberg asked to meet with her and she didn’t even really know what the role was! She admitted the whole thing was very secretive.

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Karen Allen talks about her ‘secretive’ audition with Steven Spielberg

RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK, (aka INDIANA JONES AND THE RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK), from left: Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones, Karen Allen
RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK, (aka INDIANA JONES AND THE RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK), from left: Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones, Karen Allen, 1981. ©Paramount Pictures/courtesy Everett Collection

Karen said, “Steven came to New York City to meet, not just me, but some other actors he was interested in meeting for the film. I didn’t know anything about the film. They were being very secretive about it… They gave me the scene in the bar, and then I was in love. I fell in love with Marion, and then I really wanted the role.”

RELATED: A First Look At Harrison Ford In The Fifth ‘Indiana Jones’ Movie

RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK, US 10th anniversary re-issue poster, top, from left: Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, 1981
RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK, US 10th anniversary re-issue poster, top, from left: Harrison Ford, Karen Allen, 1981. © Paramount/courtesy Everett Collection

Karen did some screen tests and ultimately won the role! She said her favorite part of the filming process was doing the stunts. “I feel like [Marion is] who I aspire to be,” she admitted.

INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL, (aka INDIANA JONES 4), Karen Allen (foreground), 2008
INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL, (aka INDIANA JONES 4), Karen Allen (foreground), 2008. ©Paramount/courtesy Everett Collection

She concluded, “The fact that people are still seeing the film, talking about the film, having an interest in the film, it’s amazing. It’s amazing and wonderful. It’s just one of those films that seems like it gets passed from generation to generation, and it stayed very beloved.”

The fifth installment of the franchise is currently being filmed with Harrison Ford.

Next up: ‘Charlie’s Angels’ Fans Finally Got To See Charlie In The Finale — Sort Of
Previous article: ‘Charlie’s Angels’ Fans Finally Got To See Charlie In The Finale — Sort Of
Next Post: Tom Selleck Compares ‘Blue Bloods’ Family Dinners To ‘The Waltons’

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