Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Woody Harrelson
Public opinion and media debates around Woody Harrelson—discover key moments of controversy.
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.
1991: Protested First Gulf War
In 1991, Woody Harrelson protested against the First Gulf War at UCLA and during a college concert tour under the auspices of "Woody Harrelson Educational Tours".
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.
June 1, 1996: Arrested for Hemp Seed Planting
On June 1, 1996, Woody Harrelson was arrested in Lee County, Kentucky, after symbolically planting four hemp seeds to challenge state law, and was later acquitted.
2002: Arrested in London
In 2002, Woody Harrelson was arrested in London after an incident in a taxi and a subsequent police chase. The case was later dismissed after Harrelson paid the taxi driver.
2002: Condemned US Invasion of Iraq
In 2002, Woody Harrelson wrote an article in The Guardian condemning President George W. Bush's preparation for a US invasion of Iraq.
2003: Publicly Opposed Invasion of Iraq
In 2003, Woody Harrelson publicly spoke against the invasion of Iraq.
2006: Incident with Photographer
In 2006, an incident occurred outside a Hollywood nightclub involving Woody Harrelson and a photographer, which led to a lawsuit being filed in 2008.
2008: Lawsuit Filed by Photographer
In 2008, TMZ photographer Josh Levine filed a lawsuit against Woody Harrelson for an alleged attack outside a Hollywood nightclub in 2006.
April 2010: Lawsuit Dismissed
In April 2010, the lawsuit filed against Woody Harrelson by a TMZ photographer was dismissed.
February 3, 2012: Reddit AMA Disaster
On February 3, 2012, Woody Harrelson participated in an "Ask Me Anything" session on Reddit that turned into a PR disaster.
2013: Criticized President Obama
In 2013, Woody Harrelson condemned President Barack Obama for failing to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan.
April 2020: Promoted Conspiracy Theory
In April 2020, Woody Harrelson promoted a conspiracy theory linking 5G networks and COVID-19 on Instagram, which was later deleted.
May 2022: Expressed Disbelief in Germ Theory
In May 2022, Woody Harrelson stated he "doesn't believe in the germ theory" and found the use of face masks against COVID-19 to be "absurd."
