Over the class of his 20 - plus year career , Woody Harrelson has played in force cops and high-risk cops , pornographers , and inhuman - blooded killers . But even his sinister roles ca n’t equate to the drama he ’s dealt with behind the scenes . His begetter , Charles Harrelson , was a hitman convict of kill two , and suspected of more .
The elderberry bush Harrelson was n’t around for much of Woody ’s puerility . He left his mob in 1968 when his son was just seven . Years by and by , Woody was listen to the radio andheardnews anchors discuss the execution trial of Charles V. Harrelson . Figuring that there could n’t possibly be that many Charles V. Harrelsons out there , Woody question his mother about his father ’s whereabouts . That ’s when he study where his dad had been .
Charles Harrelson had alreadyservedfive geezerhood in prison house for the murder of a Texas texture dealer . He had been sentenced to 15 , but let off early for right behavior in 1978 . His abbreviated stint as a free military personnel did n’t last long . Harrelson was convict of the execution of U.S. District Court Judge John H. Wood , Jr. , after Texas drug lord Jamiel Chagra testified that he had hired Harrelson to kill the evaluator for $ 250,000 . Chagra was confront a life condemnation for smuggle drug , and hoped that his case would get transferred to a more lenient judge after Wood ’s demise . Harrelson receive two lifespan condemnation .
The hitman also profess to toss off John F. Kennedy , an admission he after recanted :
In 1988 , Woody HarrelsontoldPeoplemagazine that he was working on his relationship with his beginner . “ This might sound curious to say about a convicted outlaw , but my don is one of the most articulate , well - read , magical mass I ’ve ever recognize , " the worker , now 54 , explained . " Still , I ’m just now gauge whether he merits my loyalty or friendly relationship . I look at him as someone who could be a protagonist more than someone who was a male parent . "
Woody tried to get his father a retrial , though he was n’t convinced he was deserving of it . " I do n’t bonk [ that ] he did deserve a new trial run … just being a son trying to serve his dad . Then I spent a couple of million beating my nous against the wall , ” hetoldtheGuardianin 2012 . His efforts were indeed for naught : The elder Harrelson had a heart onslaught and died in prison in 2007 .
