The Real-Life Crime Story Behind Woody Harrelson’s Father Will Leave You Speechless
Woody Harrelson has built a legendary Hollywood career—earning Oscar nominations and fame for roles in Natural Born Killers, Cheers, No Country for Old Men, and The Hunger Games.
But behind the scenes, his real-life story is just as gripping as anything he’s portrayed on screen.
When Woody was just 12 years old, he discovered a devastating truth: his father, Charles Voyde Harrelson, was a convicted hitman.
In 1979, Charles Harrelson was sentenced to two life terms for the murder of federal judge John H. Wood Jr., making the judge the first federal official assassinated in the 20th century.
The killing was a contract hit—$250,000 paid by a drug trafficker facing trial.
Charles was later captured after a six-hour standoff with police, during which he confessed not only to Judge Wood’s murder, but also made the shocking (and widely discredited) claim that he had a role in the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
Woody Fought to Prove His Father’s Innocence
Although Charles Harrelson had been absent for much of Woody’s childhood, the actor later reconnected with him—and never stopped believing in his innocence.
“I think that it was not a fair trial,” Woody once said. “I’m not saying my father’s a saint, but I think he’s innocent of that.”
Woody spent millions of dollars trying to secure a new trial, convinced that his father’s story wasn’t what it seemed.
At one point, he even claimed that Charles may have been connected to the CIA, saying in an interview, “I know it’s true… but I probably shouldn’t talk about it.”
A Complicated Bond That Ended in Heartbreak
Charles Harrelson and Woody’s mother married just two weeks after meeting. But when Woody was only seven, his father walked out on the family.
Despite years of absence, the two eventually reconnected before Charles passed away in prison in 2007.
Reflecting on his father in an emotional interview, Woody said:
“I definitely love him. Very fond of him… I mean, there’s probably a lot of people who should be behind bars. I don’t necessarily think he’s one of them.”
A Life Stranger Than Fiction
This chapter of Woody Harrelson’s life is a haunting reminder that even the biggest Hollywood stars can have a past filled with heartbreak, mystery, and unanswered questions.
SHARE this incredible story with family and friends who thought they knew everything about Woody Harrelson — they may be just as surprised as you are.
