Jul 23, 1961
Leo
Midland, TX
63 years old
N/A
N/A
TV Actor
Who Is Woody Harrelson?
Woodrow Tracy Harrelson, known professionally as Woody Harrelson, was born on July 23, 1961, in Midland, Texas, USA . As of 2025, he is 63 years old. Widely recognized for his remarkable range, Harrelson has played iconic roles on television and in film, earning accolades in both comedy and dramatic genres.
Early Life & Education
Woody was raised in a challenging household—his father, Charles Harrelson, was a convicted hitman, imprisoned when Woody was just seven . He grew up primarily in Lebanon, Ohio, where his mother, Diane, worked as a legal secretary . Woody graduated from Lebanon High School in 1979 and earned a B.A. in English and Theater from Hanover College in 1983, where he was actively involved in Sigma Chi and even crossed paths with future Vice President Mike Pence .
Breakthrough on Television
Harrelson’s breakthrough came in 1985 when he joined the beloved NBC sitcom Cheers as the naïve bartender Woody Boyd, after Coach’s departure. He remained a key member of the cast until the show's end in 1993. His portrayal earned him five Emmy nominations and a win for Outstanding Supporting Actor in 1989 .
Film Career Highlights
Transitioning seamlessly into film, Woody showcased his versatility in diverse projects:
Early roles included Wildcats (1986), White Men Can’t Jump (1992), and Indecent Proposal (1993) .
His gripping performance in Natural Born Killers (1994) and impactful portrayal in The People vs. Larry Flynt (1996) earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor .
Notable roles in No Country for Old Men (2007), The Messenger (2009), and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017) brought further Oscar nods in supporting categories .
Harrelson also became known for blockbuster franchises: as Haymitch Abernathy in The Hunger Games films; appeared in Zombieland, War for the Planet of the Apes, Solo: A Star Wars Story, Venom: Let There Be Carnage, Triangle of Sadness, and most recently starred in Champions (2023) and the thrillers Last Breath (2025) and Animal Farm (2025) .
Return to TV & Producer Roles
After Cheers, Harrelson returned to television with critical acclaim. In the HBO film Game Change (2012), he portrayed Steve Schmidt, earning an Emmy nomination . In True Detective (2014), he co-led Season 1 as Detective Marty Hart, receiving another Emmy nod . He also starred in and executive-produced HBO’s Watergate drama White House Plumbers (2023) . He’s currently working alongside Matthew McConaughey on Apple TV+’s upcoming series Brothers .
Activism, Lifestyle & Personal Life
Woody is a dedicated environmentalist, vegan since 2008, and staunch supporter of cannabis legalization. He sits on NORML’s advisory board, famously planted hemp in Kentucky as civil disobedience in 1996, and has taken part in environmental protests including scaling the Golden Gate Bridge .
Woody married Laura Louie in 2008; together, they have three daughters. The family splits time between Maui and other locations . He’s also a chess enthusiast—having even made ceremonial moves in World Championship tournaments .
Awards & Recognition
Harrelson has earned a Primetime Emmy (from five nominations) and three Academy Award nominations (for Larry Flynt, The Messenger, and Three Billboards) . His accolades also include Golden Globe and SAG nominations, and honors from critics and film communities worldwide.
