Join or Sign In

Continue with Facebook Continue with email

By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.

Woody Harrelson Biography

Birth Name:Woodrow Tracy Harrelson

Birth Place:Midland, Texas, United States

Profession Actor, Soundtrack, Producer, Director, Writer

Fast Facts

Regularly supports environmental causes
Participated and scored the winning goal at the Soccer Aid 2010, in benefit of UNICEF
Named Sexist Vegetarian by PETA in 2012
Graduated from Hanover College in 1983 with a Bachelor of Arts in theater and English
Made his Broadway debut in "The Rainmaker" in 1999 and his West End debut in "On an Average Day" in 2002
Worked at an amusement park at Kings Island through his high school years
Quote: "I never was disillusioned with acting․ But I just felt at one point that I was on a hamster wheel․ So I took some time off․ I'd say it was the best thing I ever did․ Now I come back really energized about it․"
Would gain popularity after joining the series "Cheers․"
Band Hootie & the Blowfish wrote the song "Woody" in his honor

Awards

1987American Comedy Award-Funniest Newcomer - Male or Female: winner
1987Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
1988Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
1989Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: winner
1990American Comedy Award-Funniest Supporting Male Performer in a TV Series: nominated
1990Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
1991Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
1993American Television Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Situation Comedy: nominated
1993MTV Movie Award-Best Kiss: nominated
1993MTV Movie Award-Best On-Screen Duo: nominated
1994MTV Movie Award-Best Kiss: winner
1994Razzie Award-Worst Supporting Actor: winner
1994Stinker Award-Worst Actor: nominated
1995MTV Movie Award-Best Kiss: nominated
1995MTV Movie Award-Best On-Screen Duo: nominated
1996ACCA-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
1996STFC Award-Best Actor: nominated
1997Oscar-Best Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
1997Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role: nominated
1997Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama: nominated
1997OFTA Film Award-Best Drama Actor: nominated
1997OFTA Film Award-Best Actor: nominated
1999Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
1999Special Achievement Award-Outstanding Motion Picture Ensemble: winner
1999Bronze Wrangler-Theatrical Motion Picture: winner
2004Stinker Award-Worst Supporting Actor: nominated
2006Gotham Independent Film Award-Best Ensemble Performance: nominated
2006Stinker Award-Worst On-Screen Hairstyle: nominated
2006Stinker Award-Worst Supporting Actor: nominated
2007Critics Choice Award-Best Acting Ensemble: nominated
2007Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: nominated
2007NBR Award-Best Acting by an Ensemble: winner
2008Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: winner
2008Critics Choice Award-Best Acting Ensemble: nominated
2008Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: winner
2008Best Acting Performance-: winner
2009Saturn Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2009EDA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2009ACCA-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
2009CFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2009DFWFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2009DFCS Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2009DFCS Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2009Fright Meter Award-Best Actor: nominated
2009HFCS Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2009ICP Award-Best Supporting Performance: nominated
2009NBR Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2009SDFCS Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2009Special Award-: winner
2009Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
2009SEFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2009SLFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2009VVFP Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2009WAFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2009Phillip Borsos Award-Best Actor: winner
2010Oscar-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
2010Saturn Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2010Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
2010COFCA Award-Actor of the Year: nominated
2010Critics Choice Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2010DFCS Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2010Independent Spirit Award-Best Supporting Male: winner
2010Gold Derby Film Award-Supporting Actor: nominated
2010Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture: nominated
2010OFTA Film Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2010OFCS Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2010Scream Award-Best Horror Actor: nominated
2011Narrative Competition-Best Actor: winner
2011AAFCA Award-Best Actor: winner
2011Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Motion Picture: nominated
2012ACCA TV-Best Actor (TV Movie or Mini-Series): winner
2012BSFC Award-Best Ensemble Cast: winner
2012Critics' Choice TV Award-Best Actor in a Movie/Miniseries: nominated
2012DFCS Award-Best Actor: nominated
2012Independent Spirit Award-Best Male Lead: nominated
2012Gold Derby TV Award-TV Movie/Mini Lead Actor: nominated
2012INOCA TV-Best Performance in a Miniseries or TV Movie: nominated
2012Golden Nymph-Television Films - Best Performance by an Actor: winner
2012OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a Motion Picture or Miniseries: nominated
2012Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie: nominated
2012SDFCS Award-Best Ensemble Performance: nominated
2012Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Miniseries or a Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
2013Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries: nominated
2013Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
2014DFCS Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2014Gold Derby TV Award-Drama Lead Actor: nominated
2014OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
2014Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Drama Series: nominated
2014Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
2015Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
2015Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
2015PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television, Drama: nominated
2015Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Series, Drama: nominated
2017Felix-Best Actor: nominated
2017ACCA-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
2017ACCA-Best Cast Ensemble: nominated
2017British Independent Film Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2017CIFCC Award-Best Ensemble Cast: winner
2017DFWFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2017Golden Schmoes-Best Supporting Actor of the Year: nominated
2017PFCC Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2017SDFCS Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2017SLFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2018Movies for Grownups Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2018Oscar-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
2018Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
2018Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: winner
2018BAFTA Film Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2018COFCA Award-Actor of the Year (for an exemplary body of work): nominated
2018DFCS Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2018GAFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2018Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: winner
2018HFCS Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2018ALFS Award-Supporting Actor of the Year: nominated
2018NCFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2018OFTA Film Award-Best Ensemble: winner
2019Black Reel-Outstanding TV Movie/Limited Series: nominated
2019National Film and Television Award-Best Performance in a Movie: nominated
2020DOC LA Award-DOC LA Storyteller Award: winner
2023AACTA International Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2023Movies for Grownups Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2023CinEuphoria-Best Ensemble - International Competition: winner
2023Girls on Film Award-Ensemble Acting: nominated
2023OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Limited or Anthology Series: nominated
2024Astra TV Award-Best Actor in a Broadcast Network or Cable Limited Series or TV Movie: nominated
2024Golden Globe-Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Limited Series, Anthology Series or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
2024Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series: nominated