Woody Harrelson American actor History

Woody Harrelson American actor History

Woody Harrelson is an American actor known for his memorable performances in a range of film and television roles. Over the years, Harrelson has become a familiar face in Hollywood, thanks to his versatility as an actor and his ability to inhabit complex characters with ease. In this article, we will take a closer look at the life and career of Woody Harrelson, including his early years, rise to fame, notable roles, and achievements.

Early Years

Woody Harrelson was born on July 23, 1961, in Midland, Texas. His father, Charles Harrelson, was a hitman who was convicted of murdering a federal judge in 1979 and later died in prison. Harrelson's mother, Diane Lou Oswald, was a legal secretary who raised Woody and his two brothers on her own after her husband was imprisoned. Harrelson attended Hanover College in Indiana, where he studied theater and English, before dropping out to pursue acting full-time.

Rise to Fame

Harrelson's acting career began in the early 1980s when he landed a role on the NBC sitcom "Cheers." He played the character of Woody Boyd, a naive bartender from Hanover, Indiana, who replaced Coach (played by Nicholas Colasanto) after his death. Harrelson's performance on "Cheers" was well-received, and he quickly became a fan favorite. He was nominated for five Primetime Emmy Awards for his work on the show, winning one in 1989.

After "Cheers" ended its run in 1993, Harrelson began to pursue more dramatic roles. In 1994, he starred in Oliver Stone's controversial film "Natural Born Killers," playing Mickey Knox, a serial killer who goes on a killing spree with his girlfriend. The film was a box office success, but it also generated a lot of controversy due to its graphic violence and themes of glorifying murder. Harrelson's performance, however, was praised by critics, and he received a nomination for a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role.

In 1996, Harrelson starred in the biographical drama "The People vs. Larry Flynt," directed by Milos Forman. In the film, he played Larry Flynt, the founder of Hustler magazine, who becomes embroiled in a legal battle with the government over his right to publish adult content. Harrelson's performance was widely praised, and he received his first Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.

Throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, Harrelson continued to appear in a range of film and television projects. He starred in the sci-fi film "Wag the Dog" alongside Robert De Niro and Dustin Hoffman, played a corrupt cop in the crime drama "The Thin Red Line," and appeared in the comedy "Kingpin" as a washed-up bowler. He also made guest appearances on TV shows such as "Frasier" and "Will & Grace."

Notable Roles

In 2007, Harrelson appeared in the crime thriller "No Country for Old Men," directed by Joel and Ethan Coen. In the film, he played Carson Wells, a hitman hired to track down a man who has stolen a large sum of money. The film was a critical and commercial success, winning four Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Harrelson's performance was praised by critics, and he was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role.

In 2012, Harrelson starred in the first season of the HBO anthology series "True Detective," playing Detective Marty Hart alongside Matthew McConaughey's Detective Rust Coh.