Woody Harrelson

Woodrow Tracy Harrelson is a distinguished American performer. Renowned for his versatility, he has garnered widespread acclaim throughout his career. Born on July 23, 1961, Harrelson has achieved numerous accolades, notably securing a Primetime Emmy Award and earning nominations for three Academy Awards and four Golden Globe Awards.
Harrelson gained initial prominence for his portrayal of bartender Woody Boyd on the NBC sitcom Cheers from 1985 to 1993. His exceptional performance in this role earned him a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series, marking a significant achievement among his five nominations. He later revisited this character in the spinoff series Frasier in 1999, garnering yet another Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series.


His talent extends beyond the small screen, as evidenced by his acclaimed roles in various films. Notable among these are his performances in White Men Can't Jump (1992), Natural Born Killers (1994), The Thin Red Line (1998), No Country for Old Men (2007), and many others. Harrelson's cinematic repertoire showcases his remarkable range and depth as an actor.
Furthermore, he has left an indelible mark on the world of cinema through his portrayal of Haymitch Abernathy in The Hunger Games film series, captivating audiences with his nuanced performance across multiple installments.
Harrelson's television ventures have been equally impressive. He garnered Primetime Emmy Award nominations for his roles in Game Change (2012) and True Detective (2014), demonstrating his versatility across different genres and formats. His portrayal of E. Howard Hunt in White House Plumbers (2023) further solidified his status as a formidable talent, earning him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film.

In summary, Woodrow Tracy Harrelson's illustrious career spans decades and encompasses a diverse array of roles, cementing his reputation as one of the most accomplished actors of his generation.

Woodrow Tracy Harrelson was born in Midland, Texas, to secretary Diane (née Oswald) and convicted hitman Charles Voyde Harrelson. Raised in a Presbyterian household alongside his two brothers, Jordan and Brett, the latter also pursued a career in acting. Their father, Charles, received a life sentence for the 1979 killing of federal judge John H. Wood Jr. Harrelson has recounted that his father was seldom present during his childhood. Charles passed away in the United States Penitentiary, Administrative Maximum Facility on March 15, 2007.
Coming from modest means, Harrelson's family relied on his mother's earnings. He attended The Briarwood School in Houston, Texas, before relocating to his mother's hometown of Lebanon, Ohio, in 1973. There, he completed his education at Lebanon High School, graduating in 1979. During the summer of that year, he worked at Kings Island amusement park.
Following high school, Harrelson enrolled at Hanover College in Hanover, Indiana, where he pursued studies in theater and English. During his time there, he became a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity and struck up a friendship with future vice president Mike Pence. He graduated from Hanover College in 1983.

Woodrow Tracy Harrelson gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of bartender Woody Boyd on the NBC sitcom Cheers. Joining the cast in 1985 for its fourth season, he remained a fixture on the show for its final eight seasons, until 1993. His stellar performance earned him five Emmy Award nominations, with a win in 1989. Interestingly, his character, Woody Boyd, hailed from Hanover, Indiana, coincidentally mirroring Harrelson's own college experience. In 1999, he revisited this beloved character in the successful Cheers spin-off, Frasier, earning another Emmy nomination for his guest appearance. Harrelson also showcased his versatility on television with a recurring role in several 2001 episodes of Will & Grace.


Simultaneously, Harrelson reignited his film career while still working on Cheers. Following his debut in Wildcats (1986), he continued to impress audiences with roles in Cool Blue (1990) and the box-office hit White Men Can't Jump (1992). His versatility shone through in diverse projects such as Money Train (1995) and the blockbuster Indecent Proposal (1993), where he starred alongside Robert Redford and Demi Moore. Harrelson's career reached new heights with his portrayal of Larry Flynt in The People vs. Larry Flynt (1996), earning him critical acclaim and award nominations. Subsequently, he tackled more serious roles in films like Welcome to Sarajevo (1997), Wag the Dog (1997), and The Thin Red Line (1998), further solidifying his status as a respected actor.


In the following years, Harrelson continued to captivate audiences with his performances in a wide range of films, including EDtv (1999), Play It to the Bone (1999), and The Hi-Lo Country (1998). He also ventured into directing, helming his own play, Furthest from the Sun, in 1999. Harrelson's theatrical prowess extended to Broadway revivals and London's West End productions, showcasing his multifaceted talent on stage. Returning to the silver screen in 2003, he appeared in films such as Anger Management, After the Sunset, and She Hate Me, reaffirming his versatility as an actor. Throughout his career, Harrelson has continually impressed audiences with his diverse roles and unwavering dedication to his craft.

References

1.  Cooper, Tim (July 19, 2002). "Welcome to Woody World". Thisislondon.co.uk. Archived from the original on May 5, 2013. Retrieved September 30, 2013.
2. ^ Sipchen, Bob (December 20, 1998). "The Life of Woody". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on July 15, 2012.
3. ^ "Diane Lou Harrelson". geni.com. Archived from the original on January 15, 2020. Retrieved January 15, 2020.
4. a b c Garrahan, Matthew (May 25, 2018). "Woody Harrelson: 'I had to go outside and fire up a hooter'". Financial Times. Archived from the original on December 10, 2022.
5. a b "Woody Harrelson's Father Dies in Prison; Charles Harrelson Was Convicted Of Killing A Federal Judge In Texas". CBS News. AP. March 21, 2007. Archived from the original on October 16, 2009.
6. ^ Parkyn, John. "Name Dropping". Sun-Sentinel. Archived from the original on November 29, 2018. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
7. ^ "Jailer recalls conversations with Woody Harrelson's father". news4sanantonio.com. News4SA. February 17, 2020. Archived from the original on February 24, 2023. Retrieved February 24, 2023.