Oscar nominee Woody Harrelson, who is widely recognized for his iconic performances in Natural Born Killers, The Hunger Games, Cheers, and No Country for Old Men, discovered his father’s criminal past when he was just twelve years old.
Specifically, the A-list actor’s father, Charles Voyde Harrelson, was a hitman-for-hire who was convicted for the murder of federal judge John H. Wood Jr. in 1979, resulting in two life sentences.
As reported by Chron, he was engaged in dubious activities, gambling, and armed robbery from a young age.
Charles executed the hit for $250,000 on behalf of a drug dealer who was awaiting trial. He was apprehended following a six-hour standoff with law enforcement. During that time, he admitted to killing the judge, who was the first federal judge murdered in the 20th century, as well as several other murders, including that of JFK, although that assertion was largely dismissed.
Woody Harrelson’s father passed away in prison in 2007, leaving the actor heartbroken, even though his father had not been a part of his upbringing.
In fact, Woody believed his father was wrongfully convicted and sought a retrial, investing millions in the effort.
“I think that it was not a fair trial … I’m not saying my father’s a saint but I think he’s innocent of that,” Woody stated over 20 years ago. Additionally, he was convinced that his father had served as an undercover CIA agent and was not the criminal that many perceived him to be.
When asked if he truly believed his father was affiliated with the CIA, he responded, “I shouldn’t get into this right now. This is where we’re going to get into trouble . . . I know it’s true.”
Charles Harrelson married Woody’s mother just two weeks after they met, and he abandoned her and their three sons when Woody was only seven years old.
Reflecting on the moment he heard his father’s name linked to the judge’s murder, Woody shared with The Guardian, “I was sitting there thinking there can’t be another Charles V. Harrelson. I mean, that’s my dad! It was a shocking realization.
“For years, I tried to get him out. To secure him a new trial… just a son trying to assist his father. Then I ended up spending a couple of million, feeling like I was just banging my head against the wall. Lawyers after lawyers.
Even though Woody’s dad was mostly absent during his upbringing, they ultimately came back together.
In a television interview prior to his father’s passing, Woody Harrelson expressed, “What are my feelings towards him? I love him.
“I truly love him. I have a lot of affection for him. I suppose there are many individuals who ought to be in prison, but I don’t believe he is one of them.”
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