From his days behind the bar on Cheers to his status as one of Hollywood’s most eccentric and talented veterans, Woody Harrelson has lived a life that is as unpredictable as his characters. A three-time Academy Award nominee and Emmy winner, Woody has navigated the complexities of fame while staying true to his unique, often rebellious, persona.
As of early 2026, Woody continues to reinvent himself, balancing blockbusters with deep, personal projects. Here is the definitive look at the life and legacy of Woody Harrelson.
Woody Harrelson Biography
Born Woodrow Tracy Harrelson on July 23, 1961, in Midland, Texas, Woody’s early life was marked by both tragedy and resilience. His mother, Diane, was a legal secretary, while his father, Charles Voyde Harrelson, was a convicted contract killer who spent most of Woody’s childhood behind bars. Woody moved to Ohio as a teenager, eventually graduating from Hanover College with a degree in theater and English.
His big break came in 1985 when he was cast as the lovable, dim-witted bartender Woody Boyd on the legendary sitcom Cheers. The role made him a household name and earned him an Emmy Award, setting the stage for one of the most diverse careers in cinema history.
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Career
Woody successfully shattered his “sitcom star” image by taking on gritty, challenging roles in the 90s. From the controversial Natural Born Killers to the iconic White Men Can’t Jump, he proved his range early on.
In the 2010s, he became a pillar of major franchises, playing the mentor Haymitch Abernathy in The Hunger Games and the mentor-figure Beckett in Solo: A Star Wars Story. Woody continued to dominate the screen, starring in the survival thriller Last Breath alongside Simu Liu and the political satire White House Plumbers in 2024 and 2025. In late 2025, excitement reached a fever pitch as he prepared for a return to the world of Panem, not as Haymitch, but as a producer and creative consultant for the 2026 prequel Sunrise on the Reaping.
Woody Harrelson Movies
Woody’s filmography is a tapestry of cult classics and award-winning dramas:
- White Men Can’t Jump (1992): The streetball classic that defined his early career.
- The People vs. Larry Flynt (1996): His first Oscar-nominated role.
- Zombieland (2009): Playing the Twinkie-loving Tallahassee.
- The Messenger (2009): His second Oscar nomination for a haunting dramatic performance.
- Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017): His third Oscar nomination.
- Champions (2023): A heartwarming comedy about a Special Olympics basketball team.
- Last Breath (2025): A high-stakes underwater survival thriller released in early 2025.
- Megalopolis (2024): Collaborating with Francis Ford Coppola in his sci-fi epic.
Woody Harrelson Net Worth
As of early 2026, Woody Harrelson’s net worth is estimated at $70 million. His wealth is a result of decades of leading roles in major franchises, his work as an executive producer, and his business ventures in the cannabis industry, including his West Hollywood dispensary, The Woods.
Family
Woody is a dedicated “girl dad” and family man. He and his wife, Laura, have three daughters: Deni (born 1993), Zoe (born 1996), and Makani (born 2006). He often describes his family as his anchor, crediting them with keeping him grounded despite his wild Hollywood reputation. The family primarily resides in a sustainable home in Maui, Hawaii.
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Relationships and History
Woody Harrelson and Nancy Simon
Woody’s first marriage was a classic Hollywood “oops” moment. In 1985, he married Nancy Simon, the daughter of playwright Neil Simon, in Tijuana. The couple intended to divorce the very next day, but the “marriage parlor” was closed when they returned. They ended up staying married for ten months before officially splitting.
Woody Harrelson and Glenn Close
Rumors of a brief 90s romance between Woody and Glenn Close have persisted for years. While the two have never officially confirmed a serious relationship, they remain incredibly close friends. In 2025, the two icons reunited professionally for the upcoming Hunger Games prequel, Sunrise on the Reaping, sparking a wave of nostalgia among fans who remember their iconic “90s fits” and red-carpet appearances together.
Woody Harrelson and Laura Louie
The true love of Woody’s life is Laura Louie. She began working as his personal assistant in 1987, and their professional relationship eventually turned romantic. After 20 years and three children together, they officially married in a private ceremony in Hawaii in 2008. Laura is also the co-founder of Yoganics, an organic food delivery service.
Controversies
Woody has never been one to shy away from controversy. From his 1996 arrest for planting hemp seeds in Kentucky to his vocal advocacy for the legalization of marijuana, he has always been a rebel. In 2023, he sparked debate with his Saturday Night Live monologue regarding COVID-19 mandates, which he doubled down on in 2024 interviews. Most recently, in mid-2024, he made headlines for his decision to give up his cell phone entirely, stating he prefers to be “unreachable” to maintain his mental peace.
Woody Harrelson Age and Instagram
As of January 2026, Woody Harrelson is 64 years old. Despite his “no cell phone” policy, he maintains a presence on Instagram (@woodyharrelson), though the account is largely managed by his team to share his environmental activism, chess matches, and film updates with his 3.8 million followers.
Conclusion
Woody Harrelson remains one of the few actors who can move seamlessly between a stoner comedy and a Shakespearean drama without missing a beat. As he heads into 2026 with a potential awards run for Last Breath and his creative work on the new Hunger Games, Woody proves that being a “kinder, gentler soul” doesn’t mean you have to stop being a rebel.
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