AFI Honors Harrison Ford

12/14/1998 at 12:00 AM EST

The American Film Institute has announced it is giving its life achievement award to Harrison Ford. The star of "Star Wars," "Witness," "The Fugitive" and numerous other acclaimed films, is the 28th recipient of the award. Although nominated for 1985's "Witness," he has never won an Oscar. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Ford said, "I'm surprised and honored and very flattered by it all. Unfortunately the award (ceremony) is four months away, plenty of time to worry about it. . . Public speaking is certainly not one of my strengths." Ford, 57, is in Los Angeles filming "What Lies Beneath" opposite Michelle Pfeiffer. The AFI ceremony is scheduled for Feb. 17 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills and will broadcast on CBS in the spring.