Career Timeline of Woody Harrelson: Major Achievements and Milestones
Discover the career path of Woody Harrelson, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Woody Harrelson is an American actor who rose to fame as Woody Boyd on the sitcom Cheers, earning him a Primetime Emmy Award. He has garnered critical acclaim and three Academy Award nominations for his roles in The People vs. Larry Flynt (Best Actor), The Messenger, and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (both for Best Supporting Actor). Harrelson is recognized for his diverse acting abilities, spanning comedy and drama.
1985: Harrelson Joins Cheers
In 1985, Woody Harrelson joined the cast of the NBC sitcom Cheers as bartender Woody Boyd, marking a significant role in his early career.
1986: Wildcats Film Debut
In 1986, Woody Harrelson's first movie, Wildcats, a football comedy with Goldie Hawn, was released.
1989: Emmy Award Win
In 1989, Woody Harrelson won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his role on Cheers.
1990: Cool Blue Release
In 1990, Woody Harrelson starred in the romantic comedy Cool Blue, alongside Hank Azaria.
1992: White Men Can't Jump Hit
In 1992, Woody Harrelson reunited with Wesley Snipes in the box-office hit White Men Can't Jump.
1993: Final Season of Cheers
1993 marked the end of Woody Harrelson's eight-season run on the television show Cheers.
1993: End of Cheers Run
In 1993, Woody Harrelson finished his run on Cheers.
1993: Starred in Indecent Proposal
In 1993, Woody Harrelson starred in "Indecent Proposal", which led to him winning the Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actor in 1994.
1993: Indecent Proposal Release
In 1993, Woody Harrelson starred in the drama Indecent Proposal, which was a box office success.
1994: The Cowboy Way Release
In 1994, Woody Harrelson starred alongside Kiefer Sutherland in The Cowboy Way.
1994: Natural Born Killers Release
In 1994, Woody Harrelson starred in the film Natural Born Killers.
1994: Won Golden Raspberry Award
In 1994, Woody Harrelson won the Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actor for his role in 1993's "Indecent Proposal".
1996: Oscar Nomination for The People vs. Larry Flynt
In 1996, Woody Harrelson received a Best Actor Oscar nomination for his role as Larry Flynt in "The People vs. Larry Flynt".
1996: Kingpin Release
In 1996, Woody Harrelson starred in the comedy Kingpin.
1997: Starred in Several Films
In 1997, Woody Harrelson starred in Welcome to Sarajevo, Wag the Dog and Road to Manhattan.
1998: The Thin Red Line Release
In 1998, Woody Harrelson appeared in The Thin Red Line.
1998: Starred in Palmetto and The Thin Red Line
In 1998, Woody Harrelson starred in Palmetto and played Sergeant Keck in The Thin Red Line.
1999: Cheers Spin-off Guest Appearance
In 1999, Woody Harrelson guest-starred in the Cheers spin-off Frasier, reprising his role as Woody Boyd.
1999: Narrated "Grass" Documentary
In 1999, Woody Harrelson narrated the documentary "Grass."
1999: Starred and Directed Plays
In 1999, Woody Harrelson starred in The Hi-Lo Country, EDtv, and Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me and directed his own play, Furthest from the Sun.
2000: Broadway Revival of The Rainmaker
In 2000, Woody Harrelson starred in Roundabout's Broadway revival of the N. Richard Nash play The Rainmaker.
2001: Will & Grace Appearance
In 2001, Woody Harrelson appeared in several episodes of Will & Grace as Grace's boyfriend Nathan.
2001: The Late Henry Moss
In 2001, Woody Harrelson starred in Sam Shepard's The Late Henry Moss.
2002: On an Average Day in London's West End
In the fall of 2002, Woody Harrelson starred in John Kolvenbach's On an Average Day opposite Kyle MacLachlan in London's West End.
2003: Film Comeback
In 2003, Woody Harrelson co-starred in the comedy film Anger Management and appeared in the action film After the Sunset and the Spike Lee film She Hate Me, marking his return to film after a hiatus.
2003: Directed Toronto Premiere
In the summer of 2003, Woody Harrelson directed the Toronto premiere of Kenneth Lonergan's This is Our Youth at the Berkley Street Theater.
2003: Joined NORML Advisory Board
Since 2003, Woody Harrelson has served as a member on the advisory board of NORML, an organization advocating for the legalization of marijuana and hemp.
2005: Film Appearances
In 2005, Woody Harrelson appeared in The Big White, North Country, and The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio.
2005: Starred in North Country
In 2005, Woody Harrelson starred in the film "North Country".
2006: Film Releases
In 2006, Woody Harrelson appeared in the animated film version of Free Jimmy and A Scanner Darkly.
2007: No Country for Old Men Release
In 2007, Woody Harrelson appeared in No Country for Old Men.
2007: Key Roles in The Walker, No Country for Old Men, and Battle in Seattle
In 2007, Woody Harrelson played key roles in The Walker, No Country for Old Men, and Battle in Seattle.
2007: Starred in 'No Country for Old Men'
In 2007, Woody Harrelson starred in the film "No Country for Old Men", which contains a reference to his father, Charles Harrelson, who murdered John H. Wood Jr.
2008: Appearances in Semi-Pro and Seven Pounds
In 2008, Woody Harrelson appeared in the films Semi-Pro and Seven Pounds.
2008: Seven Pounds Release
In 2008, Woody Harrelson starred in the film Seven Pounds.
2008: Campaign for John McCain and Sarah Palin
In 2012, Woody Harrelson had a leading role in the acclaimed HBO television film Game Change as republican strategist Steve Schmidt working for the 2008 Presidential campaign for John McCain and Sarah Palin.
October 2009: Received Honorary Degree from York University
In October 2009, Woody Harrelson was given an honorary degree by York University for his contributions in environmental education, sustainability, and activism.
2009: Oscar Nomination for The Messenger
In 2009, Woody Harrelson received a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination for his role in "The Messenger".
2009: Praised for Role in The Messenger
In 2009, Woody Harrelson received significant praise and award nominations for his role as Captain Tony Stone in The Messenger, and he co-starred in Zombieland.
2009: Starred in Zombieland
In 2009, Woody Harrelson starred in the film "Zombieland".
2009: Zombieland Release
In 2009, Woody Harrelson starred in the film Zombieland.
June 6, 2010: Soccer Aid 2010 Participation
On June 6, 2010, Woody Harrelson participated in Soccer Aid 2010 for UNICEF UK and scored the winning penalty.
June 2010: Participated in Soccer Aid
In June 2010, Woody Harrelson participated in Soccer Aid at Old Trafford in Manchester, scoring the winning goal in the penalty shootout for UNICEF.
2010: Bunraku Role
In 2010, Woody Harrelson starred as a bartender and mentor in the futuristic western martial arts film Bunraku.
May 7, 2011: Bullet for Adolf at Hart House Theatre
On May 7, 2011, Woody Harrelson's play Bullet for Adolf, which he co-wrote with Frankie Hyman, concluded its run at Hart House Theatre in Toronto.
2011: Friends with Benefits Release
In 2011, Woody Harrelson starred as Tommy in the movie Friends with Benefits.
2011: Rampart Release
Woody Harrelson received a nomination for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead for Rampart in 2011.
May 27, 2012: Soccer Aid 2012 Participation
On May 27, 2012, Woody Harrelson participated in Soccer Aid.
July 19, 2012: Bullet for Adolf Off-Broadway Previews
On July 19, 2012, previews began for Woody Harrelson's play Bullet for Adolf Off-Broadway.
September 30, 2012: Bullet for Adolf Closed Off-Broadway
On September 30, 2012, Woody Harrelson's play Bullet for Adolf closed Off-Broadway.
2012: Charlie Frost Role
In 2009, Woody Harrelson co-starred in Roland Emmerich's 2012, where he played Charlie Frost.
2012: Played in UNICEF Game
In 2012, Woody Harrelson played in the UNICEF game, playing the last 10 minutes for the Rest of the World team.
2012: Emmy Nomination for Game Change
In 2012, Woody Harrelson received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for his portrayal of Steve Schmidt in the HBO film Game Change.
2012: Emmy Nominations for Frasier and Game Change
In 2012, Woody Harrelson received two more Emmy nominations: for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for Frasier, and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie for Game Change.
2012: Starred in The Hunger Games film series
In 2012, Woody Harrelson starred in "The Hunger Games" film series.
2012: Seven Psychopaths Release
In 2012, Woody Harrelson starred in the film Seven Psychopaths and The Hunger Games.
2013: Starred in Now You See Me
In 2013, Woody Harrelson starred in the film "Now You See Me".
2013: Now You See Me Release
In 2013, Woody Harrelson starred in the film Now You See Me.
2014: True Detective Role
In 2014, Woody Harrelson starred as a detective in the HBO crime anthology series True Detective, earning him another Primetime Emmy Award nomination.
2015: U2 Short Film
In 2015, Woody Harrelson and his daughter Zoe starred in a short film for U2's 'Song for Someone'.
2015: Last Hunger Games film
In 2015, Woody Harrelson appeared in the final movie of The Hunger Games film series.
2015: Starred in The Hunger Games film series
In 2015, Woody Harrelson starred in "The Hunger Games" film series.
2016: Announcement of Lost in London
In 2016, Woody Harrelson announced that he would direct, write, produce, and star in the film Lost in London.
2016: Starred in Now You See Me 2, The Edge of Seventeen, and LBJ
In 2016, Woody Harrelson starred in "Now You See Me 2", "The Edge of Seventeen", and "LBJ".
2016: The Edge of Seventeen Release
In 2016, Woody Harrelson starred in the film The Edge of Seventeen.
January 19, 2017: Premiere of Lost in London
On January 19, 2017, Woody Harrelson's film Lost in London premiered live, shot as a single take.
2017: Oscar Nomination for Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
In 2017, Woody Harrelson received a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination for his role in "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri".
2017: "Lost in London" Film Release
In 2017, Woody Harrelson released "Lost in London," a live-streamed film inspired by his 2002 arrest in London.
2017: Starred in The Glass Castle
In 2017, Woody Harrelson starred in "The Glass Castle".
2017: War for the Planet of the Apes Release
In 2017, Woody Harrelson starred in the film War for the Planet of the Apes.
2018: Solo: A Star Wars Story and Venom Appearance
In 2018, Woody Harrelson played Tobias Beckett in Solo: A Star Wars Story and appeared in a cameo in Venom.
November 2019: Midway Release
In November 2019, Woody Harrelson starred in Roland Emmerich's movie Midway, playing Admiral Chester Nimitz.
March 2021: Cast as Felix Kersten
In March 2021, Woody Harrelson was cast to play Felix Kersten in "The Man with the Miraculous Hands", a film adaptation of Joseph Kessel's novel.
2021: Venom: Let There Be Carnage Release
In 2021, Woody Harrelson reprised his role as Cletus Kasady in Venom: Let There Be Carnage.
May 13, 2022: Opened Cannabis Dispensary
On May 13, 2022, Woody Harrelson opened The Woods WeHo, a cannabis dispensary in Los Angeles, California.
2022: Triangle of Sadness Release
In 2022, Woody Harrelson starred in the film Triangle of Sadness.
2023: White House Plumbers Role
In 2023, Woody Harrelson portrayed E. Howard Hunt in the HBO political limited series White House Plumbers.
2023: Starred in 'White House Plumbers' and 'Champions'
In 2023, Woody Harrelson starred as E. Howard Hunt in the HBO series "White House Plumbers", which he also executive produced, and in the film "Champions" as a coach for a Special Olympics basketball team.
May 2024: Narrated RFK Jr. Documentary
In May 2024, Woody Harrelson narrated a short documentary released by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s campaign on the life and career of RFK Jr.
