Woody Harrelson’s Father: A Notorious Hitman Unveiled

Woody Harrelson, the well-known actor with a diverse range of roles, has portrayed characters ranging from good cops to cold-blooded killers.

However, his own life story is arguably more dramatic than any role he has played.

It turns out that his father, Charles Harrelson, was not only a hitman convicted of multiple murders but also suspected of many more.

During Woody's childhood, Charles Harrelson was largely absent.

He left his family in 1968 when Woody was just seven years old.

It wasn't until years later, when Woody overheard news anchors discussing the trial of a certain Charles V. Harrelson, that he became curious about his father's whereabouts.

Woody confronted his mother and discovered the truth about his father's criminal activities.

Charles Harrelson had already served five years in prison for the murder of a Texas grain dealer.

Despite being sentenced to 15 years, he was released early for good behavior in 1978.

However, his freedom was short-lived.

Harrelson was then convicted of killing U.S. District Court Judge John H. Wood, Jr.

This high-profile case arose when Texas drug lord Jamiel Chagra testified that he had hired Harrelson to assassinate the judge for $250,000.

Chagra hoped that after Wood's death, his own drug smuggling case would be transferred to a more lenient judge.

As a result, Harrelson received two life sentences.

Harrelson made an astonishing claim that he was involved in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, but he later retracted this statement.

In a 1988 interview with People magazine, Woody Harrelson acknowledged his complex relationship with his father.

Despite his father's criminal past, the actor described him as articulate, well-read, and charming.

Woody admitted to being uncertain about whether his father deserved his loyalty or friendship, viewing him more as a potential friend than a father figure.

Woody even attempted to secure a retrial for his father, although he had doubts about his father's worthiness of it.

In a 2012 interview with The Guardian, Woody revealed, “I don't know if he did deserve a new trial…

I was just a son trying to help his dad.

Then I spent a couple of million beating my head against the wall.”

Unfortunately, Woody's efforts were in vain, as Charles Harrelson passed away from a heart attack while in prison in 2007.