| Full Name | Woodrow Tracy Harrelson |
| Age | 61 years old |
| Birthday | July 23, 1961 |
| Born | Midland, Texas, United States |
| Relationship | Married to Laura Louie (2008-present) |
| Children | 3 daughters |
| Height | 5′ 10′′ |
| Net Worth | $70 million |
| Social | Facebook / Twitter / Instagram |
As a loyal Woody Harrelson fan, I‘ve eagerly followed his extraordinary career over multiple decades. The talented Woodrow Tracy Harrelson is truly an American actor/playwright extraordinaire, with 4 Oscar nominations, 2 SAG Awards, and 1 Emmy under his belt. Ever since first seeing him on Cheers back in the 80s, I‘ve been continually impressed by his versatility, commitment, and charisma both on and off screen. Let‘s take a closer look at the life and career of this exceptional performer and activist.
The Early Years
Harrelson was born on July 23, 1961 in Midland, Texas. His mother was a secretary, while his father was a convicted contract killer who received a life sentence when Woody was just 7. He attended Lebanon High School in Ohio, where he first got a taste of the stage in school plays. As quoted in People, Harrelson recalls, "When I started high school I was really shy. But I got into theater and that helped bring me out of my shell."
After graduating in 1979, Woody headed to Hanover College in Indiana. He continued to thrive in theater, joining the fraternity Sigma Chi and earning a degree in theater arts and English in 1983.
Big Break on Cheers
In 1985, Woody moved to New York City determined to make it as an actor. He landed some minor roles in theater productions and small films. Then came his big break – the role of naive bartender Woody Boyd on the NBC sitcom Cheers. He auditioned against over 3,000 other actors and won the part. Harrelson portrayed the lovable Woody for 8 hilarious seasons, developing fantastic chemistry with Ted Danson and the rest of the cast. He earned 5 Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series, winning in 1989.
Transition to Dramatic Film Roles
Although he had firmly established himself as a comedic talent, Harrelson soon proved he could take on serious dramatic roles as well. In 1990, he starred opposite Robert Redford and Demi Moore in the drama Indecent Proposal, playing a man who accepts $1 million to allow a billionaire to spend the night with his wife. This marked a transition into more complex movie roles.
In 1996, Woody received his first Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for his riveting portrayal of controversial porn publisher Larry Flynt in The People vs. Larry Flynt. To prepare for this transformative role, he shadowed the real Larry Flynt for months and adopted his signature wild hairstyle, glasses, and wheelchair. Many critics agreed he deserved the Oscar that year.
Successes in All Genres
Woody has continued to impress audiences with his incredible range across all types of films. He‘s starred in comedies like Anger Management, Semi-Pro, and Zombieland. He‘s tackled dark, violent material in Natural Born Killers, No Country for Old Men, and Out of the Furnace. And he‘s brought sensitivity and nuance to indie dramas like The Messenger, Rampart, and The Glass Castle.
Of course, one of his most famous roles of the 2000s was cranky mentor Haymitch Abernathy in the blockbuster Hunger Games series. I‘ll never forget his sage wisdom guiding those tributes and his sarcastic chemistry with Jennifer Lawrence. Harrelson remains one of the most versatile actors around, able to play heroes, villains, and everything in between flawlessly.
Environmental Activism and Causes
Beyond acting, I deeply admire Woody‘s dedication to environmental activism and other social justice causes. He‘s been a vegan for years and regularly works with organizations like UNICEF, PETA, Greenpeace, and Farm Sanctuary. He has protested logging sites in British Columbia, spoken out against the Keystone Pipeline, and advocated for clean energy.
In addition to environmentalism, he champions anti-war efforts, hunger relief, marijuana legalization, and more. He even sits on the advisory board for NORML, which pushes for cannabis reform. Harrelson uses his wide platform to speak out on issues close to his heart.
Accomplishments and Honors
Woody‘s brilliance has been recognized through many awards and honors:
- 5 Emmy Nominations, 1 Win for Cheers
- 2 Oscar Nominations for The People vs. Larry Flynt and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
- 8 Golden Globe Nominations
- Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2019
Yet he remains incredibly down-to-earth, focusing simply on continuing to choose interesting roles that challenge him in new ways. At 61, Harrelson is still at the top of his game with his talents continuing to shine brightly on the big screen. I can‘t wait to see what captivating characters he takes on next!