Diane Lou Oswald was not a household name herself but had shaped the life of a Hollywood A-lister. She is mostly known as the mother of actor, Woody Harrelson.
Background
Beyond Diane Lou Oswald’s connection to Woody Harrelson, details about her background and upbringing are scant.
Career and Personal Life
Just like her background, details about her personal life is scant. Some sources say she was a dedicated secretary and a strict Presbyterian who raised her three sons – Woody, Brett and Jordan – in the same faith.
She divorced Woody’s father Charles Harrelson in 1964. Charles Harrelson has had a criminal record – including murder-for-hire convictions – that followed the family for generations. But single mother Diane Lou Oswald raised her sons with values rooted in them. Woody Harrelson himself has acknowledged his mother’s good influence on him.
Her impact on her children, especially Woody Harrelson’s career is undeniable. She is a reminder of just how much power mothers have in determining what their children will become.
Her Son, Woody Harrelson
Woody Harrelson (born Woodrow Tracy Harrelson in 1961) is an American actor of diverse genres and generations. From his breakout role in sitcom “Cheers” to his breakout roles in films like Natural Born Killers and No Country for Old Men, Harrelson has created a comedic-drama hybrid that works both comedic charm and dramatic intensity in Hollywood.
The family dynamic was complicated in Harrelson’s early life. Born in Texas, he moved to Ohio following the divorce of his parents. His father, Charles Harrelson, was later convicted of murder. But despite these difficulties, Harrelson found solace in theatre in high school. He continued acting at Hanover College and graduated in theatre arts and English.
After graduation, Harrelson worked in New York City in off-Broadway productions. In 1985 he starred as bartender Woody Boyd on sitcom “Cheers”. Harrelson played the naive yet lovable Woody for nine seasons and won an Emmy Award.
Harrelson still appeared on Cheers and began to act in films. His first leading man roles came in Doc Hollywood (1991), followed by White Men Can’t Jump (1992) and Indecent Proposal (1993). Harrelson took on unusual characters. He tackled The dark satire of Natural Born Killers (1994) and the gritty realism of Larry Flynt in the People vs Larry Flynt.
Harrelson remained versatile into the 2000s and 2010s. Chilling performances included No Country for Old Men (2007) and The Messenger (2009) and finding humor in apocalyptic settings in Zombieland (2009). He also resurrected comedic roots with franchises like The Hunger Games (2012) and Now You See Me (2013). Last year, Harrelson played Colonel in the rebooted Planet of the Apes trilogy and played Hamm in Toy Story.
Harrelson is estimated to worth around USD 80 million. Besides acting, he is an environmental activist and an entrepreneur, having started an organic beer company. He has been married to Laura Louie since 2008 and has three daughters.
Woody Harrelson has done something very well. His comedic timing, dramatic intensity and willingness to take on unconventional roles have defied typecasting. A diverse filmography and environmental activism keep Woody Harrelson relevant in Hollywood today.
