Woody Harrelson.

Woodrow Tracy Harrelson

Born 23 Jul 1961 Midland, United States

Citizenship United States

Age 65 yr Today

17 min read

Reading time

3,215

Words

Oct 22, 2026

Published

Awards

TL;DR

Woody Harrelson won an Emmy for his role as Woody Boyd on Cheers in 1989 and earned two Academy Award nominations for The People vs. Larry Flynt 1996 and The Messenger 2009. He played Haymitch Abernathy in The Hunger Games series and starred in No Country for Old Men, Zombieland, and True Detective. He advocates for marijuana legalization and environmental causes.

Identity & family.

KIN · 4

Names, aliases, and relatives of Woody Harrelson — birth name, kin, and personal ties.

Birth Name Woodrow Tracy Harrelson

Parents: Charles Harrelson
Spouses: Laura Louie Nancy Simon
Siblings: Brett Harrelson

At a glance.

STATS

Woody Harrelson by the numbers — life, work, and family.

65 Age

4 Awards

2 Marriages

Who is Woody Harrelson?

BIOGRAPHY

Woody Harrelson — early life, career, personal life, and legacy.

Early life

Woodrow Tracy Harrelson was born on July 23, 1961 in Midland, Texas to Diane Lou Oswald and Charles Harrelson. His father was a contract killer who was convicted for the murder of federal judge John H. Wood Jr. in 1979. Harrelson grew up in Lebanon, Ohio, where his mother was from. He attended Lebanon High School and later The Briarwood School. He earned degrees in theater arts and English from Hanover College in Indiana in 1983, where he was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity and roomed with future U.S. Vice President Mike Pence.

After college, he moved to New York and briefly performed in theater, including a production of Neil Simon’s Biloxi Blues in 1984, before landing his breakthrough television role.

Career

Cheers cast Harrelson as Woody Boyd in 1982, earning him an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in 1989. He appeared in films such as Doc Hollywood 1991, his first widely-seen movie role, and White Men Can’t Jump 1992 with Wesley Snipes. He starred in Indecent Proposal 1993 and Natural Born Killers 1994, directed by Oliver Stone.

His first Academy Award nomination came for his portrayal of Hustler founder Larry Flynt in The People vs. Larry Flynt 1996. He received a second Oscar nomination for The Messenger 2009, in which he played a troubled soldier. In 2007, he appeared in the Best Picture winner No Country for Old Men. He also starred in Zombieland 2009 and Friends with Benefits 2011. In 2012, he took on the role of Haymitch Abernathy in The Hunger Games, a franchise that became one of the highest-grossing series at the domestic box office. He earned acclaim for his role as Detective Martin Hart in the first season of True Detective 2014 and for his performance in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri 2017.

Personal life

Harrelson was briefly married to Nancy Simon, daughter of playwright Neil Simon, in the 1980s; the marriage ended in 1986. He later married his former assistant Laura Louie. Together they have three daughters: Denni born February 26, 1993, Zoe born September 22, 1996, and Makani born June 3, 2006. The family maintains residences in Maui, Hawaii, and Costa Rica.

He has been open about his past struggles, including admitting to being a sex addict. He is a close friend of Michael J. Fox and the band Red Hot Chili Peppers. His father, Charles Harrelson, was a notorious hitman who claimed involvement in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, though this was never proven.

Legacy

Harrelson’s career has spanned comedy, drama, and blockbusters. He became the first regular cast member from Cheers to receive an Academy Award nomination. His performance in The People vs. Larry Flynt earned iconic status. He inspired younger actors such as Sam Rockwell, whom Harrelson said he voted for over himself at the Oscars. The Texas Film Hall of Fame inducted him in March 2003.

Beyond acting, Harrelson is a prominent activist for marijuana legalization and environmental causes. He has faced arrest multiple times for civil disobedience, including climbing the Golden Gate Bridge to protest logging. His commitment to sustainable living also defines his legacy, including co-owning the Inn at the Black Olive in Baltimore and living partially off-grid in Costa Rica. Most remember him for his Emmy-winning role on Cheers and his two Oscar-nominated performances.

Awards & honors.

AWARDS · 4

Every award, honor, and recognition received by Woody Harrelson — Grammys, hall-of-fame inductions, civic honors, lifetime achievements.

Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Emmy Award
Actor Awards

Notable quotes.

QUOTES · 5

A wall of memorable lines from Woody Harrelson — lyrics, interviews, and off-the-cuff remarks captured over a lifetime.

When I Let up from the Weed, and the Drinking Too, I Cried Every Day. and I Liked That. I Like Crying. and Now I Not Only Wanna Cry and Show My Crying to Other People, I Wanna Just Split Myself Down the Middle and Open My Guts and Just Throw Everything Out!
I Was About 24 Years Old and I Had Tons of Acne and Mucus. I Met Some Random Girl on a Bus Who Told Me to Quit Dairy and All Those Symptoms Would Go Away Three Days Later. by God, She Was Right!
I Am Not Loving Obama – He Made This Statement When They Were Talking About Trying to Accomplish with the New Legislation About Global Warming and He Said Let’s Not Let Great Be the Enemy of Good. That Just Stayed with Me and Haunted Me. Great Be the Enemy of Good – Let’s Not Make Great, Firm International Legislation and Try to Settle for What We Can Get. Lyndon B. Johnson Probably Would Have Said That.
I’ve Always Believed the Road of Excess Leads to the Palace of Wisdom.
I Was in a Taxi the Other Night, and We Started Talking About Life and the Taxi Driver Goes, Chaos and Creativity Go Together. If You Lose One per Cent of Your Chaos, You Lose Your Creativity. I Said That’s the Most Brilliant Thing I’ve Heard. I Needed to Hear That Years Ago.

Did you know?

FACTS · 50

Little-known facts about Woody Harrelson — origins, oddities, and behind-the-scenes details from a public life.

He was arrested in Columbus, Ohio in June 1983 for disorderly conduct after dancing in the street; he later jumped out of a moving police van and punched an arresting officer.
His father Charles Harrelson was a hitman arrested in 1979 for killing Federal Judge John H. Wood Jr. in San Antonio, Texas.
He is a big fan of Bill Murray, who appeared in Zombieland 2009 as a favor to him.
Both he and his Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri 2017 co-star Sam Rockwell were nominated for an Oscar, and Harrelson voted for Rockwell over himself.
A jury in Beattyville, Kentucky dismissed a marijuana possession charge against him after his 1996 arrest for planting four hemp seeds in rural Kentucky.
He is a close friend of Michael J. Fox.
He lovingly refers to his three daughters as the Goddess trilogy.
He maintains a residence on Hana in Maui, where neighbors include Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson; the three have been known to play poker together.
He is an activist for the legalization of marijuana.
He climbed the Golden Gate Bridge and put up a sign protesting MAXXAM/Pacific Lumber CEO Charles Hurwitz, reading, ‘Hurwitz. Aren’t ancient redwoods more precious than gold?
He is good friends with the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
His father, Charles Harrelson, a contract killer for the Mafia, claimed without evidence to have participated in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
He admits to having been a sex addict.
He has played the same character Woody Boyd in three different series: Cheers 1982, The Simpsons 1989 and Frasier 1993.
Woody and about a dozen hemp activists and environmentalists took a bicycle tour down the west coast, starting in Seattle and ending at the University of Santa Barbara, documented in the film Go Further 2003.
He is the first and, as of 2005, only regular cast member from Cheers 1982 to receive an Academy Award nomination.
He lives with Laura Louie and their children in Costa Rica.
In 1991 he went to Nairobi, Kenya and lived in a tent on the outskirts of town for a few weeks to experience Africa.
He wanted to play Jake Brigance in A Time to Kill 1996 but author John Grisham objected to his casting.
He was cast in Benny and Joon but dropped out to do Indecent Proposal, causing Laura Dern to also leave the project.
He is a friend of Owen Wilson.
His friends Darius Rucker, Mark Bryan, Dean Felber and Jim Sonefeld of Hootie & the Blowfish wrote the song Woody about him, on their 2003 album.
He is close friends with Wesley Snipes.
He moonlights as the lead singer in the band Manly Moondog and the Three Kool Hats.
He has appeared in four films nominated for Best Picture: The Thin Red Line 1998, No Country for Old Men 2007, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri 2017 and Triangle of Sadness 2022; No Country for Old Men won.
He claims to have had 17 jobs in one year.
He has three daughters with Laura Louie: Denni b. February 26, 1993, Zoe b. September 22, 1996 and Makani b. June 3, 2006.
He was considered for the role of Lester Burnham in American Beauty 1999.
He and Nancy Simon were married in Tijuana, Mexico.
He became co-owner of the boutique organic hotel Inn at the Black Olive in Baltimore, Maryland.
He is the owner of an oxygen bar in West Hollywood, California.
He graduated from Hanover College in 1983 with a degree in theatre arts and English, and was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity.
He was the ex-son-in-law of playwright Neil Simon; one of his first plays was Simon’s Biloxi Blues in 1984.
He was married to Neil Simon’s daughter Nancy Simon, and has had relationships with Carol Kane, Ally Sheedy and Moon Unit Zappa.
He has worked with eight directors who have won Best Director Oscars: James L. Brooks, Oliver Stone, Michael Cimino, Miloš Forman, Barry Levinson, Ron Howard, and Joel and Ethan Coen.
He shares the same birthday July 23 with his Hunger Games co-star Philip Seymour Hoffman.
He was inducted into the Texas Film Hall of Fame in March 2003 in Austin, Texas.
The longest gap between his Oscar nominations is 13 years between The People vs. Larry Flynt in 1996 and The Messenger in 2009.
He serves on the board of directors for the Ex’pression Center For New Media in Emeryville, California.
He was chosen by People magazine as one of the 50 Most Beautiful People.
His ancestry includes English, Scottish, German, and distant Dutch and Welsh.
He was sued by MGM for dropping out of Benny and Joon to take the role in Indecent Proposal.
He attended Hanover College with U.S. Vice President Mike Pence.
He considers historian Howard Zinn a personal hero.
One of his films, No Country for Old Men 2007, has been selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress.
He roomed with friend Rob Moran in New York when both were starting out.
He is brother to Brett Harrelson and Jordan Harrelson.
He was set to star in Danny Boyle’s firefighter drama Worcester Cold Storage with Ed Harris, but the project never materialized.
He was a singer with the group Madly Moondog and the Three Kool Kats.
He attended the 2009 Comic-Con International in San Diego, California.

You wanted to know.

FAQ · 48

Quick answers to the questions readers ask most about Woody Harrelson.

When was Woody Harrelson born?

Woody Harrelson was born on July 23, 1961. His full birth name is Woodrow Tracy Harrelson.
Where was Woody Harrelson born?

Woody Harrelson was born in Midland, Texas, USA. He grew up in Lebanon, Ohio.
How old is Woody Harrelson?

Woody Harrelson is 64 years old as of 2025. He was born on July 23, 1961.
What is Woody Harrelson's real name?

Woody Harrelson’s birth name is Woodrow Tracy Harrelson. He is known professionally as Woody Harrelson.
What does Woody Harrelson do for a living?

Woody Harrelson is an actor, producer, and director. He is best known for his acting career in television and film.
What nationality is Woody Harrelson?

Woody Harrelson is American. He holds United States citizenship.
Who are Woody Harrelson's parents?

Woody Harrelson’s parents are Diane Lou Oswald and Charles Harrelson. His father was a contract killer convicted of murdering a federal judge.
Who is Woody Harrelson married to?

Woody Harrelson is married to Laura Louie, his former assistant. He was previously married to Nancy Simon, daughter of playwright Neil Simon, in the 1980s.
Does Woody Harrelson have any siblings?

Yes, Woody Harrelson has two siblings: Brett Harrelson and Jordan Harrelson. Brett is also an actor.
Where did Woody Harrelson go to school?

Woody Harrelson attended Lebanon High School and The Briarwood School. He earned a degree in theater arts and English from Hanover College in Indiana.
What awards has Woody Harrelson won?

Woody Harrelson has won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for Cheers, an Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male, and other honors including the Actor Awards. He also received two Academy Award nominations and multiple Golden Globe nominations.
How many Academy Award nominations does Woody Harrelson have?

Woody Harrelson received two Academy Award nominations. He was nominated for Best Actor for The People vs. Larry Flynt 1996 and Best Supporting Actor for The Messenger 2009.
What is Woody Harrelson best known for?

Woody Harrelson gained fame for his role as Woody Boyd on Cheers, earning an Emmy, and for his film roles in Natural Born Killers, The People vs. Larry Flynt, The Hunger Games series, and True Detective. He also gained recognition for his activism.
What is Woody Harrelson's Instagram username?

Woody Harrelson’s Instagram handle is @woodyharrelson. He shares updates about his projects and activism.
How tall is Woody Harrelson?

Woody Harrelson is 5 feet 10 inches 1.77 meters tall. This height is often listed in his acting profiles.
Does Woody Harrelson have children?

Yes, Woody Harrelson has three daughters with his wife Laura Louie: Denni born 1993, Zoe born 1996, and Makani born 2006. He lovingly calls them the Goddess trilogy.
What was Woody Harrelson's first major TV role?

Woody Harrelson’s first major TV role was as Woody Boyd on the sitcom Cheers, which he played from 1982 to 1993. He won a Primetime Emmy Award for his performance in 1989.
What role did Woody Harrelson play in The Hunger Games?

Woody Harrelson played Haymitch Abernathy, the alcoholic mentor to Katniss Everdeen, in The Hunger Games film series. He reprised the role in multiple sequels.
Has Woody Harrelson ever been arrested?

Yes, Woody Harrelson has faced arrest multiple times. In 1983, Ohio police arrested him for disorderly conduct, and in 1996, Kentucky authorities arrested him for planting hemp seeds; a jury later dismissed the charge. He has also engaged in protests.
Is Woody Harrelson an activist?

Yes, Woody Harrelson is a prominent activist for marijuana legalization and environmental causes. He has climbed the Golden Gate Bridge to protest logging and taken part in bicycle tours to promote hemp.
What was Woody Harrelson's breakout film role?

Woody Harrelson’s earliest widely-seen movie role was Doc Hollywood 1991, followed by White Men Can’t Jump 1992. His breakout performance came in Natural Born Killers 1994, directed by Oliver Stone.
How has Woody Harrelson's father influenced his life?

Woody Harrelson’s father, Charles Harrelson, was a contract killer who was convicted for the murder of federal judge John H. Wood Jr. Charles Harrelson also claimed involvement in the JFK assassination. Woody has spoken about the impact this had on his upbringing.
What role did Woody Harrelson play in True Detective?

In the first season of True Detective 2014, Woody Harrelson played Detective Martin Hart. His performance alongside Matthew McConaughey earned critical acclaim.
Does Woody Harrelson have a band?

Yes, Woody Harrelson moonlights as the lead singer of the band Manly Moondog and the Three Kool Hats. He also performed with a group called Madly Moondog and the Three Kool Kats.
What is Woody Harrelson's stance on marijuana?

Woody Harrelson is a longtime activist for marijuana legalization. In 1996, he faced arrest in Kentucky for planting hemp seeds to challenge state laws, and a jury later dismissed the charge.
What was Woody Harrelson's first marriage like?

Woody Harrelson’s first marriage was to Nancy Simon, daughter of playwright Neil Simon. They married in Tijuana, Mexico in 1985 and divorced in 1986.
Which films of Woody Harrelson have been nominated for Best Picture?

Four films starring Woody Harrelson earned Academy Award nominations for Best Picture: The Thin Red Line 1998, No Country for Old Men 2007, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri 2017, and Triangle of Sadness 2022. Only No Country for Old Men won.
Does Woody Harrelson have any famous friends?

Woody Harrelson is close friends with Michael J. Fox, Wesley Snipes, Owen Wilson, and the band Red Hot Chili Peppers. His neighbors in Maui include Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson.
What is Woody Harrelson's educational background?

Woody Harrelson attended Lebanon High School and The Briarwood School. He graduated from Hanover College in 1983 with degrees in theater arts and English, where he was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity.
Has Woody Harrelson worked with multiple Oscar-winning directors?

Yes, Woody Harrelson has worked with eight directors who have won Best Director Oscars: James L. Brooks, Oliver Stone, Michael Cimino, Miloš Forman, Barry Levinson, Ron Howard, and the Coen brothers.
What is Woody Harrelson's connection to Hootie & the Blowfish?

The band Hootie & the Blowfish wrote a song titled Woody about Woody Harrelson, which appears on their 2003 album. He is friends with the band members.
Did Woody Harrelson attend Comic-Con?

Yes, Woody Harrelson attended the 2009 Comic-Con International in San Diego, California, to promote his projects.
What is Woody Harrelson's view on the hemp industry?

Woody Harrelson has been a vocal advocate for hemp, which he believes has many industrial uses. He even planted hemp seeds in Kentucky in 1996 to challenge laws that conflate hemp with marijuana.
What is Woody Harrelson's residence like?

Woody Harrelson maintains a residence in Hana, Maui, and also lives with his family in Costa Rica. He prefers a sustainable lifestyle.
Did Woody Harrelson ever drop out of a film?

Yes, Woody Harrelson dropped out of Benny and Joon to star in Indecent Proposal. This led to a lawsuit from MGM, and Laura Dern also left the project.
What is Woody Harrelson's role in the Cheers universe?

Woody Harrelson played Woody Boyd on Cheers and later reprised the character in episodes of The Simpsons and Frasier, making him the only actor to play the same character in three different series.
Was Woody Harrelson considered for American Beauty?

Yes, the producers of American Beauty 1999 considered Woody Harrelson for the role of Lester Burnham, but the part ultimately went to Kevin Spacey.
How did Woody Harrelson meet his wife?

Woody Harrelson met Laura Louie when she worked as his assistant. They later married and have three daughters together.
What is Woody Harrelson's biggest box office success?

Woody Harrelson’s involvement in The Hunger Games series, playing Haymitch, contributed to one of the highest-grossing domestic box office franchises.
Does Woody Harrelson have any hobbies?

Woody Harrelson enjoys playing poker with friends Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson. He also plays music with his band.
What is the longest gap between Woody Harrelson's Oscar nominations?

The longest gap between Woody Harrelson’s Oscar nominations was 13 years, from The People vs. Larry Flynt in 1996 to The Messenger in 2009.
Was Woody Harrelson ever charged with marijuana possession?

Kentucky authorities arrested and charged Woody Harrelson with marijuana possession in 1996 for planting hemp seeds, but a jury in Beattyville dismissed the charge.
What is Woody Harrelson's most iconic film performance?

Many consider Woody Harrelson’s performance in The People vs. Larry Flynt 1996 as his most iconic, earning him his first Academy Award nomination.
Does Woody Harrelson have any business ventures?

Woody Harrelson co-owns the Inn at the Black Olive, an organic hotel in Baltimore, and previously owned an oxygen bar in West Hollywood.
What is Woody Harrelson's connection to Neil Simon?

Woody Harrelson briefly married Nancy Simon, daughter of playwright Neil Simon, and performed in Simon’s play Biloxi Blues in 1984.
How many jobs did Woody Harrelson have before acting?

Woody Harrelson claims to have worked 17 different jobs in a single year before his acting career took off.
What is Woody Harrelson's role in The Messenger?

In The Messenger 2009, Woody Harrelson played Captain Tony Stone, a role that earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
Did Woody Harrelson vote for Sam Rockwell at the Oscars?

Yes, Woody Harrelson has stated that he voted for his Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri co-star Sam Rockwell for the Oscar over himself.

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Published on October 22, 2026

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