Woody Harrelson

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Woody Harrelson 191020-N-NU281-1028 (cropped)

Woody Harrelson
Born
Woodrow Tracy Harrelson

Birth date -1st March 1966
OccupationActor, playwright
Years active1985–present
AwardsPrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series (1989)


Woodrow Tracy Harrelson (born July 23, 1961) is an American actor and playwright. He is known for his roles in both television and film, and has received numerous accolades, including a Primetime Emmy Award and nominations for three Academy Awards and four Golden Globe Awards.

Early life[edit | edit source]

Harrelson was born in Midland, Texas, to Diane Lou (née Oswald) and Charles Voyde Harrelson. He grew up in Lebanon, Ohio, where his mother was a secretary. His father was a convicted hitman, who died in 2007. Harrelson attended Hanover College in Hanover, Indiana, where he studied theatre and English.

Career[edit | edit source]

Television[edit | edit source]

Harrelson's breakthrough role came in 1985 when he was cast as bartender Woody Boyd on the NBC sitcom Cheers. He played the role until the show ended in 1993, earning a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in 1989.

Film[edit | edit source]

Harrelson made his film debut in Wildcats (1986). He gained prominence with roles in White Men Can't Jump (1992), Natural Born Killers (1994), and The People vs. Larry Flynt (1996), for which he received his first Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. He received further nominations for The Messenger (2009) and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017).

Theatre[edit | edit source]

In addition to his work in film and television, Harrelson has also appeared on stage. He made his Broadway debut in The Rainmaker in 1999 and has since appeared in several other productions.

Personal life[edit | edit source]

Harrelson is an advocate for the environment and veganism. He is also known for his support of the legalization of cannabis and hemp.

Filmography[edit | edit source]


Awards and nominations[edit | edit source]


See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

External links[edit | edit source]

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD