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July 27, 2026Sources cited
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Entertainment • Actor

Woody Harrelson

Woody Harrelson is an American actor born in Midland, Texas, on July 23, 1961.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Woody Harrelson is an American actor born in Midland, Texas, on July 23, 1961. He became widely known for playing Woody Boyd on *Cheers* and later built a major film career with acclaimed roles in both drama and comedy. Harrelson's performances have earned him multiple awards and nominations, including an Emmy and three Oscar nominations.

Early life

Woody Harrelson was born Woodrow Tracy Harrelson in Midland, Texas, in 1961. Public biographies identify him as an American actor who began his career in the late 1970s.

Breakthrough and television

Harrelson became famous for playing bartender Woody Boyd on *Cheers* from 1985 to 1993. The role earned him an Emmy Award and established him as a mainstream television star.

Film career

He later became known for film performances in a wide range of genres, including crime drama, satire, and action franchises. Notable films associated with him include *The People vs. Larry Flynt*, *Natural Born Killers*, *No Country for Old Men*, *True Detective*, and *The Hunger Games* series.

Personal life

Harrelson has been married twice: first to Nancy Simon and later to Laura Louie, whom he married in 2008. He has three children.

Key facts

  • Harrelson first rose to fame as Woody Boyd on the NBC sitcom *Cheers*.
  • He won a Primetime Emmy Award for *Cheers*.
  • He has received three Academy Award nominations for *The People vs. Larry Flynt*, *The Messenger*, and *Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri*.
  • His film roles include major titles such as *Natural Born Killers*, *No Country for Old Men*, and *The Hunger Games* films.
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Canadian context

Harrelson is well known to Canadian audiences through major Hollywood films and franchise titles that were widely released in Canada, including *No Country for Old Men* and *The Hunger Games* series.

Frequently asked questions

How old is Woody Harrelson?
He was born on July 23, 1961, which makes him 64 years old as of 2026.
What movies has Woody Harrelson been in?
His films include *The People vs. Larry Flynt*, *Natural Born Killers*, *No Country for Old Men*, *Zombieland*, *Rampart*, *Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri*, and *The Hunger Games* films.
Is Woody Harrelson vegan?
Yes. Sources describe Harrelson as a vegan.
What is Woody Harrelson net worth?
A reliable, consistently verifiable net worth figure is not provided in the supplied sources.
Who is Woody Harrelson married to?
He is married to Laura Louie. He was previously married to Nancy Simon from 1985 to 1986.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woody_Harrelson
    Supports: Birth name, birth date, birthplace, years active, awards, and spouses.
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Woody-Harrelson
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, acting career, and marriages.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000437/
    Supports: Birth date, age, birthplace, spouses, and children.
  4. Biography.com — https://www.biography.com/actors/woody-harrelson
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, spouses, and children.
  5. Simple English Wikipedia — https://www.simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woody_Harrelson
    Supports: Statement that Harrelson is a vegan.