Profile of the Day: Woody Harrelson

Happy birthday to actor Woody Harrelson! Today the star turns 60.

Image: Woody Harrelson / LBJ Library photo by Gabriel Cristóver Pérez

Harrelson was born Woodrow Tracy Harrelson on July 23, 1961 in Midland, Texas to Diane Oswald and Charles Harrelson. His father was a convicted contract killer and received a life sentence in 1979. He died in prison in 2007. His mother worked as a legal secretary and raised Harrelson and his two brothers alone.

In 1985, Harrelson got his big break when he was cast as bartender Woody Boyd on the hit television show, Cheers. Harrelson would earn five Emmy Award nominations for the role, winning one in 1989.

In addition to his television work, Harrelson has received much critical acclaim for his roles on the big screen, earning three Academy Award nominations, and has also found success in blockbusters, such as The Hunger Games series, War for the Planet of the Apes, and Solo: A Star Wars Story.

What’s your favorite Woody Harrelson film? Explore his family tree on Geni and share how you’re related to the actor!

View Woody Harrelson’s Geni Profile