Woody Harrelson fans seriously shocked to discover his father was actually a notorious contract killer
Woody Harrelson has stepped into the shoes of an array of different quirky characters - from The Hunger Games’ Haymitch Abernathy to Martin Hart in True Detective.
But, did you know that one element of his real life is just as crazy as his fictional storylines?
That’s right - the Oscar-nominated Hollywood actor’s dad, Charles Harrelson, was actually a real-life notorious contract killer who was convicted of assassinating a federal judge.
Charles married Woody’s mother Diane Harrelson in the 1950s and the couple went on to welcome their three children (Woody, Jordan and Brett) within three years of 1960 after relocating to Midland, Texas.
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The three boys grew up largely without their father, who was in and out of prison due to his crimes.
In an interview with The Guardian back in 2012, Woody said: “I think they separated when I was 7, but he was gone a lot before that, in prison. Away and back. Away and back. It wasn’t like he was there all the time prior to that."
He added: “[My mom] was well out of love with him. You know, I’ve got to give her credit because she never really soured us on him, she didn’t talk negative about him, never, ever. And she could have – he wasn’t the greatest husband. Or father.”
Charles was handed two life sentences in 1982 for killing federal judge John H. Wood Jr.
He had also been convicted for the murder of grain dealer Sam Degelia Jr, for which he served five years behind bars.
The hitman died in 2007 inside the Florence supermax prison and Woody rarely talks about his father in interviews now.
In one conversation with People back in the 80s, he spoke of how despite his crimes, his dad was one of the most ‘charming’ people he’d known.
He told the publication: “I don’t feel he was much of a father. He took no valid part in my upbringing.
"This might sound odd to say about a convicted felon, but my father is one of the most articulate, well-read, charming people I’ve ever known.
"Still, I’m just now gauging whether he merits my loyalty or friendship. I look at him as someone who could be a friend more than someone who was a father."
In the comments of an Instagram post about his dad's story, fans expressed shock as they made the connection.
One wrote: "Woody should play him in a movie or series about his life," while another added: "Wait that’s his Dad?! That’s crazy."
A third chimed in with: "Absolutely crazy, known about this for years."
And, in another crazy turn of events, Woody and fellow Hollywood legend Matthew McConaughey could even be brothers - yep, we're mind blown.
Speaking on the Let's Talk Off Camera podcast in 2023, McConaughey said: "In Greece a few years ago, we’re sitting around talking about how close we are and our families.
"And my mom is there, and she says, 'Woody, I knew your dad'. Everyone was aware of the ellipses that my mom left after ‘knew.’
“It was a loaded K-N-E-W."
He continued: "We went on to unpack what this ‘knew’ meant and did some math and found out that [Woody Harrelson's] dad was on furlough at the same time that my mom and dad were in their second divorce.”
“Then there’s possible receipts and places out in West Texas where there might have been a gathering, or a meeting, or a ‘knew’ moment."
Harrelson later told Esquire that rumours they could be brothers was something he’d ‘felt’ for years.
He said: “Well, it’s very much true. I learned from Ma Mac, Matthew’s mother, that she did have a relationship with my father for a relatively short period of time that coincided with the time that his father and mother were on a sabbatical, and with the time of Matthew’s, let’s say, origination.
“We haven’t done a test, but there are too many times that I think to myself, My God, the similarities! The things he does, the things he says - just the way he is. I’ve felt that for years.”
Madison Burgess