In 1989, Ford was crowned King of the Beaux Arts Ball in New York City.

[3] In his starring role for the film Games, directed by Steve Scott, Ford played a medal-winning swimmer in the Gay Games competition, with Al Parker playing a photographer assigned to take professional portraits of the athlete.

In a scene that foreshadowed what happened to Ford in real life, his character had a severe motorcycle accident that left him hospitalized and in a coma.

[5] The two travelled together and he made appearances at clubs in which Divine was contracted to perform.

[6] In July 1991, Ford was hit by a car while riding a motorcycle with Markle.