History of Woody Harrelson in Timeline
Woody Harrelson is a renowned American actor, widely recognized for his portrayal of bartender Woody Boyd in the popular NBC sitcom "Cheers" (1985-1993). His performance earned him a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series, among five nominations. He later reprised his role as Woody Boyd in the spinoff series "Frasier" in 1999, garnering another Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series. Harrelson's career has extended beyond television to include various film roles, establishing him as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.
1960: Publication of Source Novel
Joseph Kessel's novel "The Man with the Miraculous Hands," the basis for the film adaptation Harrelson is set to star in, was originally published in 1960.
July 23, 1961: Birth of Woody Harrelson
Woodrow Tracy Harrelson was born on July 23, 1961.
1973: Moves to Lebanon, Ohio
Harrelson moved to Lebanon, Ohio, with his mother in 1973.
1979: Conviction of Charles Harrelson
Charles Harrelson was convicted for the murder of Judge John H. Wood Jr. in 1979.
1979: Graduates from Lebanon High School and works at Kings Island
Harrelson graduated from Lebanon High School and worked at Kings Island amusement park in 1979.
1980: Setting of 'No Country for Old Men' Novel
The novel 'No Country for Old Men', which was later adapted into a film starring Woody Harrelson, was set in 1980 and included references to historical events involving Harrelson's father.
1983: Graduates from Hanover College
Woody Harrelson graduated from Hanover College in 1983 with a degree in theater and English.
February 1985: Nicholas Colasanto's death creates opening on "Cheers"
The death of actor Nicholas Colasanto in February 1985 led to the opening for Woody Boyd, the character Harrelson would play on "Cheers".
1985: Joins "Cheers"
In 1985, Woody Harrelson joined the cast of the NBC sitcom "Cheers", replacing the character Coach.
1985: Marriage to Nancy Simon
Woody Harrelson married Nancy Simon, daughter of playwright Neil Simon, in Tijuana in 1985. The marriage lasted ten months despite their initial intention to divorce the following day.
1986: Film debut in "Wildcats"
Harrelson made his film debut in the comedy "Wildcats" in 1986.
1987: Meeting Laura Louie
Woody Harrelson met Laura Louie in 1987 when she worked as his personal assistant. They later married in 2008.
1989: Wins Emmy Award
Harrelson won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his role on "Cheers" in 1989.
1990: Stars in "Cool Blue"
Harrelson starred in the romantic comedy "Cool Blue" in 1990.
1991: Harrelson's Anti-War Activism
In 1991, Woody Harrelson actively protested the First Gulf War through events at UCLA and during a college concert tour, showcasing his commitment to peace and anti-war activism.
1992: "White Men Can't Jump" released
The sports comedy "White Men Can't Jump", starring Harrelson and Wesley Snipes, was released in 1992.
1992: "White Men Can't Jump"
Harrelson co-starred with Wesley Snipes in the sports comedy "White Men Can't Jump" in 1992.
1993: "Indecent Proposal" released
Harrelson starred alongside Robert Redford and Demi Moore in the drama "Indecent Proposal" in 1993.
1993: End of "Cheers" run
Harrelson's time on "Cheers" ended in 1993 after eight seasons.
1993: Concludes run on "Cheers"
In 1993, Woody Harrelson concluded his eight-season run on "Cheers".
1993: Birth of First Daughter with Laura Louie
Woody Harrelson and Laura Louie's first daughter was born in 1993.
1993: "Indecent Proposal" Release
Woody Harrelson starred in "Indecent Proposal" in 1993.
1994: "The Cowboy Way" released
Harrelson starred alongside Kiefer Sutherland in the action-comedy film "The Cowboy Way" in 1994.
1994: "Natural Born Killers"
In 1994, Harrelson starred in the controversial crime film "Natural Born Killers".
1994: Golden Raspberry Award for "Indecent Proposal"
In 1994, Woody Harrelson received the Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actor for his role in the 1993 film "Indecent Proposal".
1995: "Money Train" released
Harrelson and Wesley Snipes reunited for the action movie "Money Train" in 1995.
June 1, 1996: Harrelson Arrested for Symbolic Hemp Planting
On June 1, 1996, Woody Harrelson was arrested in Lee County, Kentucky, for symbolically planting hemp seeds to challenge a state law equating hemp with marijuana. He was released on bail the same day and later acquitted.
1996: "The People vs. Larry Flynt"
Harrelson starred as Larry Flynt in the biographical drama "The People vs. Larry Flynt" in 1996.
1996: "Kingpin" released
Harrelson starred in the Farrelly brothers comedy "Kingpin" in 1996.
1996: Oscar Nomination for "The People vs. Larry Flynt"
In 1996, Woody Harrelson received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for his portrayal of Larry Flynt in the biographical drama "The People vs. Larry Flynt."
1996: Birth of Second Daughter with Laura Louie
Woody Harrelson and Laura Louie's second daughter was born in 1996.
1997: "Welcome to Sarajevo", "Wag the Dog", and "Road to Manhattan" released
In 1997, Harrelson appeared in the war film "Welcome to Sarajevo", the political satire "Wag the Dog", and the family film "Road to Manhattan".
1998: "Palmetto" and "The Thin Red Line" released
Harrelson starred in the thriller "Palmetto" and the war film "The Thin Red Line" in 1998.
1998: "The Thin Red Line"
Harrelson was part of the ensemble cast in Terrence Malick's war film "The Thin Red Line" in 1998.
1999: "Play It to the Bone"
Harrelson starred as a boxer in the sports drama "Play It to the Bone" in 1999.
1999: Seattle WTO Protests (Depicted in Film)
Harrelson's character in the 2007 film "Battle in Seattle" experiences the impact of the 1999 World Trade Organization protests, during which his pregnant wife loses her baby.
1999: Several film appearances and stage work
In 1999, Harrelson appeared in films like "The Hi-Lo Country", "EDtv", "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me", and "Play It to the Bone", and also directed his own play, "Furthest from the Sun".
1999: Guest appearance on "Frasier"
In 1999, Harrelson reprised his role as Woody Boyd for a guest appearance on the "Cheers" spin-off, "Frasier".
1999: Guest appearance on "Frasier"
In 1999, Harrelson reprised his role as Woody Boyd in a guest appearance on the "Cheers" spinoff "Frasier".
1999: Harrelson Draws Kasparov in Prague
In 1999, Woody Harrelson participated in a chess event in Prague where he employed the Parham Attack to draw against World Chess Champion Garry Kasparov, with assistance from several chess Grandmasters present to watch a match between GM Alexei Shirov and GM Judit Polgár.
1999: Harrelson's Environmental Journey and Film Narration
In 1999, Woody Harrelson traveled the U.S. west coast using an eco-friendly bus, an adventure documented in the film 'Go Further'. He also narrated the documentary 'Grass', focusing on cannabis culture.
2000: Stars in Broadway revival of "The Rainmaker"
Harrelson starred in the Broadway revival of N. Richard Nash's play "The Rainmaker" in 2000.
2001: Appears on "Will & Grace"
Harrelson appeared as Grace's boyfriend, Nathan, in several episodes of "Will & Grace" in 2001.
2001: Performs in Sam Shepard's "The Late Henry Moss"
Harrelson performed in Sam Shepard's play "The Late Henry Moss" in 2001.
2002: Harrelson Condemns Bush's Iraq War Preparations
In 2002, Woody Harrelson publicly condemned President George W. Bush's preparations for the invasion of Iraq, characterizing it as a "racist and imperialist war" in an article for The Guardian. He also expressed his opposition to the previous Iraq war and Bill Clinton's sanctions against Iraq.
2002: Harrelson Arrested in London Taxi Incident
In 2002, Woody Harrelson was arrested in London following a taxi incident that led to a police chase. The case was dismissed after Harrelson compensated the taxi driver involved.
2002: Stars in London's West End production of "On an Average Day"
In the fall of 2002, Harrelson starred opposite Kyle MacLachlan in the West End production of John Kolvenbach's "On an Average Day".
2003: Harrelson Opposes Iraq Invasion
In 2003, Woody Harrelson publicly opposed the invasion of Iraq, continuing his stance against U.S. military interventions, which began during protests against the First Gulf War in 1991.
2003: Directs "This is Our Youth" in Toronto
Harrelson directed the Toronto premiere of Kenneth Lonergan's play "This is Our Youth" in the summer of 2003.
2003: Harrelson Joins NORML's Advisory Board
In 2003, Woody Harrelson became a member of the advisory board of NORML, an organization advocating for the reform of marijuana laws, reinforcing his support for cannabis legalization.
2003: "Anger Management" released
Harrelson co-starred in the comedy film "Anger Management" in 2003.
2005: "The Big White", "North Country", and "The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio" released
Harrelson appeared in the films "The Big White", "North Country", and "The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio" in 2005.
2005: Novel Reference to Harrelson's Father
The 2005 novel 'No Country for Old Men', which inspired the later film adaptation starring Woody Harrelson, included a line referencing the murder of federal judge John H. Wood Jr. by Harrelson's father, Charles Harrelson.
2005: "North Country" Release
Woody Harrelson appeared in "North Country" in 2005.
2006: "Free Jimmy" and "A Scanner Darkly" released
Harrelson appeared in the animated film "Free Jimmy" and the live-action film "A Scanner Darkly" in 2006.
2006: Incident with Photographer at Nightclub
In 2006, Woody Harrelson was involved in an incident outside a Hollywood nightclub with TMZ photographer Josh Levine, which led to a lawsuit being filed against him two years later.
2006: Birth of Third Daughter with Laura Louie
Woody Harrelson and Laura Louie's third daughter was born in 2006.
March 15, 2007: Death of Charles Harrelson
Woody Harrelson's father, Charles Voyde Harrelson, died in prison on March 15, 2007.
September 2007: Harrelson's Environmental Advocacy at PICNIC'07
In September 2007, Woody Harrelson attended the PICNIC'07 festival in Amsterdam, participating in discussions on creativity and sustainability and advocating for environmental causes.
2007: "No Country for Old Men"
Harrelson appeared in the critically acclaimed neo-Western thriller "No Country for Old Men" in 2007.
2007: Key Roles in Various Films
In 2007, Woody Harrelson appeared in several prominent films. He portrayed Carter Page III in "The Walker," Carson Wells in "No Country for Old Men," and a Seattle police officer in "Battle in Seattle."
2007: Harrelson Stars in 'No Country for Old Men'
In 2007, Woody Harrelson starred in the film 'No Country for Old Men', a critically acclaimed movie that includes a reference to his father, Charles Harrelson, who was involved in the murder of a federal judge.
2007: "No Country for Old Men" Release
Woody Harrelson starred in "No Country for Old Men" in 2007.
2008: Marriage to Laura Louie
Woody Harrelson married Laura Louie, co-founder of Yoganics, in 2008. They had met in 1987 when she was his personal assistant.
2008: Lawsuit Filed Against Harrelson by Photographer
In 2008, photographer Josh Levine filed a lawsuit against Woody Harrelson for an alleged altercation in 2006. Despite video evidence, no charges were pressed, but Levine sought $2.5 million in damages.
2008: Appearances in "Semi-Pro" and "Seven Pounds"
In 2008, Woody Harrelson appeared in the comedy "Semi-Pro" and the drama "Seven Pounds," playing a blind vegan meat salesman named Ezra Turner in the latter.
2008: "Seven Pounds"
In 2008, Harrelson starred alongside Will Smith in the drama film "Seven Pounds".
2008: Portrayal of Steve Schmidt in "Game Change"
Harrelson's role as Steve Schmidt in the 2012 HBO film "Game Change" focused on the 2008 Presidential Campaign.
October 2009: Harrelson's Evolving Spiritual Views
In October 2009, Woody Harrelson discussed his evolving views on religion, expressing skepticism about the Bible's divine origins and describing his strong spiritual life.
October 2009: Honorary Degree for Environmental Contributions
In October 2009, Woody Harrelson was awarded an honorary degree by York University for his efforts in environmental education and activism, recognizing his contributions to sustainability.
November 12, 2009: Appearance on "The Colbert Report"
On November 12, 2009, Woody Harrelson appeared on "The Colbert Report" to promote "The Messenger." He agreed to have his head shaved by Stephen Colbert during the interview.
2009: "The Messenger" and "Zombieland"
In 2009, Harrelson appeared in two films: the war drama "The Messenger" and the comedy-horror "Zombieland".
2009: "Zombieland" Release
In 2009, Woody Harrelson appeared in the film "Zombieland."
2009: Oscar Nomination for "The Messenger"
In 2009, Woody Harrelson received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role in "The Messenger."
April 2010: Dismissal of Photographer's Lawsuit Against Harrelson
In April 2010, a lawsuit filed by photographer Josh Levine against Woody Harrelson, concerning an alleged attack in 2006, was dismissed. Prosecutors had earlier declined to press charges.
June 6, 2010: Soccer Aid 2010 Participation
On June 6, 2010, Woody Harrelson participated in Soccer Aid 2010 for UNICEF UK, scoring the winning penalty for the "Rest of the World" team against England.
June 2010: Harrelson Scores Winning Goal at Soccer Aid
In June 2010, Woody Harrelson participated in Soccer Aid at Old Trafford, Manchester, where he scored the winning goal in a penalty shootout, helping raise money for UNICEF.
2010: Lead Role in "Bunraku"
Harrelson starred as a bartender and mentor in the futuristic western martial arts film "Bunraku" in 2010.
2010: Harrelson's Activism Featured in Documentary
In 2010, the documentary film 'Hempsters: Plant the Seed' included Woody Harrelson's 1996 arrest for planting hemp seeds as part of his activism for the legalization of marijuana and hemp.
May 7, 2011: "Bullet for Adolf" concludes run in Toronto
Harrelson's play "Bullet for Adolf" concluded its run at the Hart House Theatre in Toronto on May 7, 2011.
2011: Harrelson on PETA's PhotoStamp
In 2011, Woody Harrelson appeared on a postage stamp as one of PETA's 20 famous vegetarians, highlighting his commitment to a vegan lifestyle.
2011: Role in "Friends with Benefits" and Narration of "ETHOS"
In 2011, Harrelson starred as Tommy in "Friends with Benefits" and narrated the documentary film "ETHOS," which explores the concept of a self-destructing society.
2011: "Rampart"
Harrelson starred in the crime drama "Rampart" in 2011.
2011: Independent Spirit Award Nomination for "Rampart"
Harrelson received an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Male Lead for his role in the crime drama "Rampart" (2011).
February 3, 2012: Reddit "Ask Me Anything" Session
On February 3, 2012, Woody Harrelson participated in a Reddit AMA, which turned into a PR disaster due to his lack of meaningful responses and focus solely on promoting "Rampart."
May 27, 2012: Soccer Aid 2012 Participation
Harrelson took part in Soccer Aid 2012 on May 27, 2012, where England won 3-1.
July 19, 2012: "Bullet for Adolf" opens Off-Broadway
"Bullet for Adolf", written by Woody Harrelson and Frankie Hyman, opened Off-Broadway on July 19, 2012.
September 30, 2012: "Bullet for Adolf" closes Off-Broadway
"Bullet for Adolf" closed Off-Broadway on September 30, 2012, after a negative reception from critics.
2012: Role in "2012"
Woody Harrelson played Charlie Frost, a man warning about the end of the world, in Roland Emmerich's disaster film "2012."
2012: PETA's Sexiest Vegetarian Award
In 2012, Woody Harrelson, alongside Jessica Chastain, was named PETA's Sexiest Vegetarian, celebrating his dedication to a raw vegan diet and lifestyle.
2012: Emmy Nominations for "Game Change" and "Frasier"
In 2012, Woody Harrelson received two Emmy nominations: one for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie for "Game Change" and another for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for "Frasier."
2012: Harrelson Plays in Soccer Aid Match
In 2012, Woody Harrelson played for the Rest of the World team in UNICEF's Soccer Aid match, which ended in a 3–1 loss to England.
2012: "2012" and Start of "The Hunger Games" Series
In 2012, Woody Harrelson appeared in the film "2012" and began his role in "The Hunger Games" film series.
2012: "Game Change"
In 2012, Harrelson portrayed Steve Schmidt in the HBO political drama film "Game Change".
2012: "Seven Psychopaths"
Harrelson appeared in the black comedy crime film "Seven Psychopaths" in 2012.
2013: "Now You See Me"
In 2013, Harrelson starred in the heist thriller "Now You See Me".
2013: Harrelson Criticizes Obama's Afghanistan Policy
In 2013, Woody Harrelson criticized President Barack Obama for not withdrawing US troops from Afghanistan, drawing an unfavorable comparison between Obama and Richard Nixon.
2013: "Now You See Me" Release
Woody Harrelson starred in "Now You See Me" in 2013.
2014: Honorary Doctorate from Hanover College
Woody Harrelson received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters (DHL) from Hanover College in 2014.
2014: Starring Role in "True Detective"
In 2014, Woody Harrelson co-starred with Matthew McConaughey in the first season of HBO's "True Detective," playing Marty Hart.
2014: "True Detective"
Harrelson starred as Marty Hart in the first season of the HBO anthology crime series "True Detective" in 2014.
2015: Completion of "The Hunger Games" Series
By 2015, Woody Harrelson had completed his role as Haymitch Abernathy in all four films of "The Hunger Games" series.
2015: Final "Hunger Games" film
Harrelson concluded his role as Haymitch Abernathy in the final installment of "The Hunger Games" film series in 2015.
2015: End of "The Hunger Games" Series
In 2015, the final installment of "The Hunger Games" series featuring Woody Harrelson was released.
2015: Short Film for U2's "Song for Someone"
Woody Harrelson and his daughter Zoe starred in a short film for U2's "Song for Someone" in 2015.
2016: "The Edge of Seventeen" and "LBJ"
Harrelson starred in the teen comedy-drama "The Edge of Seventeen" and portrayed Lyndon B. Johnson in the biographical drama "LBJ" in 2016.
2016: Development of "Lost in London"
In 2016, Woody Harrelson announced his plans to direct, write, produce, and star in the single-take film "Lost in London."
2016: Sequels and New Roles
In 2016, Woody Harrelson appeared in "Now You See Me 2", "The Edge of Seventeen", and "LBJ".
2016: Harrelson Attends World Chess Championship in New York
In 2016, Woody Harrelson played the ceremonial first move at the World Chess Championship held in New York, showcasing his enthusiasm for the game.
January 19, 2017: Premiere of "Lost in London"
Woody Harrelson's self-directed, written, produced, and starring film "Lost in London" premiered live on January 19, 2017.
2017: "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri" and "War for the Planet of the Apes"
Harrelson starred in "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri" and "War for the Planet of the Apes" in 2017.
2017: 'Lost in London' Film Inspired by Real Events
In 2017, Woody Harrelson created the live-streamed film 'Lost in London', inspired by his real-life 2002 incident in a London taxi.
2017: "The Glass Castle" Release
Woody Harrelson appeared in the film "The Glass Castle" in 2017.
2017: Oscar Nomination for "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri"
Woody Harrelson was nominated for the Best Supporting Actor Oscar in 2017 for his performance in "Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri."
November 2018: Harrelson Makes Ceremonial First Move at World Chess Championship
In November 2018, Woody Harrelson attended the first game of the World Chess Championship in London, where he made the ceremonial first move for the match between Norwegian champion Magnus Carlsen and American contender Fabiano Caruana.
2018: Appearance in "Solo: A Star Wars Story" and "Venom"
In 2018, Harrelson played Tobias Beckett in "Solo: A Star Wars Story" and made a cameo as Cletus Kasady in "Venom."
2018: "Solo: A Star Wars Story"
Harrelson played Tobias Beckett in the "Star Wars" anthology film "Solo: A Star Wars Story" in 2018.
November 2019: Release of "Midway" and "Zombieland 2: Double Tap"
In November 2019, Woody Harrelson starred as Admiral Chester Nimitz in "Midway" and reprised his role as Tallahassee in "Zombieland 2: Double Tap."
2019: "The Highwaymen"
In 2019, Harrelson co-starred with Kevin Costner in the crime drama "The Highwaymen".
April 2020: Harrelson's Controversial 5G COVID-19 Post
In April 2020, Woody Harrelson shared a post on Instagram promoting a conspiracy theory linking 5G networks to COVID-19, which he later deleted.
2020: Harrelson Practices Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
In 2020, while filming, Woody Harrelson was seen practicing Brazilian jiu-jitsu and received the first stripe on his white belt, showcasing his interest in martial arts.
March 2021: Planned Role in "The Man with the Miraculous Hands"
As of March 2021, Woody Harrelson was set to portray Felix Kersten in the film adaptation of "The Man with the Miraculous Hands."
2021: Reprisal of Cletus Kasady in "Venom: Let There Be Carnage"
Woody Harrelson reprised his role as Cletus Kasady / Carnage in the 2021 sequel "Venom: Let There Be Carnage."
2021: "Kate" Release
Woody Harrelson starred in the film "Kate" in 2021.
2021: "Venom: Let There Be Carnage"
Harrelson reprised his role as Cletus Kasady / Carnage in the superhero film "Venom: Let There Be Carnage" in 2021.
May 13, 2022: Opening of The Woods WeHo Dispensary
On May 13, 2022, Woody Harrelson opened The Woods WeHo, a cannabis dispensary in Los Angeles, reflecting his advocacy for cannabis legalization.
May 2022: Harrelson's Skepticism Towards Germ Theory
In May 2022, Woody Harrelson expressed his disbelief in germ theory and criticized the use of face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic, calling them absurd.
2022: "Triangle of Sadness"
Harrelson appeared in the satirical black comedy film "Triangle of Sadness" in 2022.
2023: "White House Plumbers"
Harrelson portrayed E. Howard Hunt in the HBO political limited series "White House Plumbers" in 2023.
2023: Starring Role in "White House Plumbers" and "Champions"
In 2023, Harrelson starred in the HBO series "White House Plumbers" as E. Howard Hunt and in the film "Champions" as a basketball coach.
2023: Speculation About Harrelson's Family Ties with McConaughey
In 2023, Matthew McConaughey speculated that he and Woody Harrelson could potentially be brothers. This was based on a claim by McConaughey's mother of her past relationship with Harrelson's father, Charles Harrelson, around the time of McConaughey's conception.
2023: Harrelson Appears to Endorse RFK Jr.
In 2023, Woody Harrelson appeared to endorse Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
May 2024: Harrelson Narrates RFK Jr. Documentary
In May 2024, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s campaign released a documentary about his life and career, narrated by Woody Harrelson.