Woody Harrelson 'Changed The Course' Of His Life Despite Convict Father

Mar 25, 2022 by apost team

When it comes to finding fame in Hollywood, many people need to be talented in at least one field and have some type of connection. Others rely on their unique and incredibly interesting personalities and life stories to help them resonate more with their targeted audience. For Woody Harrelson, he has both talent and a very unexpected life story that has led him to become the star he is today.

Harrelson was born on July 23, 1961, in Midland, Texas. His father was a convicted hitman by the name of Charles Voyde Harrelson. Harrelson also grew up with two brothers named Jordan and Brett, and the latter went on to become an actor.

Harrelson himself has shown that he truly cares about social issues and has been very vocal about his activism, although it has also sometimes gotten him into trouble. However, what most people know Harrelson for is his work as an actor and playwright. He has won numerous prestigious awards for his work over the years, from starring in the sitcom “Cheers” to making his way to films such as “The People vs. Larry Flynt,” “The Edge of Seventeen” and “The Hunger Games” franchise.

Today, Harrelson is still incredibly popular in the entertainment industry and is very busy with work. On top of that, he is also a loving and dedicated husband and father. However, Harrelson has had to overcome many obstacles along the way to find his current life filled with success and serenity. Read on to find out more about Harrelson’s life story and what he’s up to today.

Many people know Harrelson for his work in both films and television and even for his work as a great playwright. However, he initially got his start by showing off his impeccable Elvis Presley impression. During an interview with James Corden in 2019, Harrelson explained how he got discovered in high school by doing his impression in front of a lot of people. “This was actually the greatest thing I ever did because it changed the course of my life,” Harrelson said.

He went on to find fame early on for his portrayal of Woody Boyd in the sitcom “Cheers,” which earned him a Primetime Emmy Award. Speaking with TODAY, Harrelson talked about how he was a bit rambunctious during this time and had “loose morals” as a partier. However, he continued to show off his amazing skills as an actor, and his career further progressed as the years went by, leading to a stream of awards of successful roles.

Nowadays, many people recognize Harrelson for his roles in “True Detective,” “The People vs. Larry Flynt,” “Natural Born Killers” and “The Hunger Games” franchise. However, he had to overcome many obstacles to get where he is today.

Harrelson grew up poor as his family relied solely on his mother’s wages since his father Charles was a convicted hitman. Speaking with The Guardian, Harrelson explained how his dad was in and out of jail a lot when he was younger but didn’t realize exactly what he had done until he was about 11 or 12 years old and heard about it on the radio. “I mean, that’s my dad!” Harrelson said. “It was a wild realization.”

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Money was tight, so Harrelson got his first job when he was only 9 or 10 years old and delivered newspapers in his local area, according to Wealthsimple Magazine. However, he had a hard time getting people to buy the newspaper and ended up losing more money than he earned. “Sometimes in life, the middleman gets squeezed,” he said. “On the other hand, that paper route sure got me a lot of exercise. I always try to find the silver lining.”

Harrelson also had to overcome some legal troubles later in life. According to 614, he was arrested in 1982 for dancing in the street and resisting arrest by attempting to flee from police officers. However, Harrelson avoided any time behind bars by paying a fine.

Nowadays, Harrelson typically makes headlines more for his work as an activist and actor. He also has a beautiful family. He first met his current wife, Laura Louie, in 1987 when she worked as his personal assistant on “Cheers,” according to the Associated Press.

Louie is the co-founder of Yoganics, an organic food delivery system. Inspired by his wife’s passion for health, wellness, sustainability and being a diehard environmentalist himself, Harrelson launched Voice Yourself in 2001, an organization that works to educate the public on the importance of purchasing and growing organic produce.

Harrelson and Louie currently live with their three daughters in Maui, Hawaii. However, Harrelson is still very busy in the entertainment industry and has plenty of projects in the works, according to IMDB. It’s clear that he has overcome several hardships over the years and has cemented his current life filled with happiness and success.

What do you think about Woody Harrelson’s life story? What is your favorite movie or show you’ve seen him in? Let us know, and be sure to send this to your family and friends.