Woody Harrelson

Harrelson in 2011, image via kathclick/Bigstock.com

Birth Name: Woodrow Tracy Harrelson

Place of Birth: Midland, Texas, U.S.

Date of Birth: July 23, 1961

Ethnicity: English, Scottish, German, distant Dutch and Welsh, remote Danish and French

Woody Harrelson is an American actor, playwright, and activist. His roles include the series Cheers and the films Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, Zombieland, The People vs. Larry Flynt, White Men Can’t Jump, The Messenger, and Venom: Let There Be Carnage.

He was raised mostly by his mother, Diane, in her native Lebanon, Ohio. His family has lived in the U.S. since the 1600s, with deep roots in the American South. His brother is actor Brett Harrelson. He is married to Laura Louie, with whom he has three children.

Woody’s paternal grandfather was Voyd/Voyde Harrelson (the son of Noah H. Harrelson and Sarah Rebecca Leonard). Voyd was born in Texas. Noah was the son of Edmond Morgan Harrelson and Mary Almira Emiline/Emily Taylor. Sarah was the daughter of Thomas B. Leonard and Sarah Ann/Anne Youngblood.

Woody’s paternal grandmother was Alma Lea Sparks (the daughter of Joel Humphrey Sparks and Lemma Kimbro). Alma was born in Texas. Joel was the son of Leander Jackson Sparks and Rebecca Harriet/Harriett Butler. Lemma was the daughter of John Luther “Jake” Kimbro and Nancy Ann/Anne “Nannie” Parker.

Woody’s maternal grandfather was Kenneth Earl Oswald (the son of Ernest Earl Oswald and Izora Cheseldine). Kenneth was born in Ohio. Ernest was of German origin, the son of Morris/Maurice Harshney Oswald and Elizabeth E./B. Hebbler. Izora was the daughter of Biscoe Kenelm Cheseldine and Margaret Lawler.

Woody’s maternal grandmother was Mary Lou Lauterwasser (the daughter of William Marion Lauterwasser and Pauline Beatrice McElwain). Mary Lou was born in Louisiana. William was born in Kentucky, the son of German parents, John Lauterwasser and Mary Ann Koehler. Pauline was the daughter of Albert Earl McElwain and Mary Plankington McCelland.

Sources: Genealogy of Woody Harrelson – https://www.geni.com

Genealogy of Woody Harrelson (focusing on his father’s side) – https://www.wikitree.com