3. Woody Harrelson’s Father Was an Assassin-For-Hire

Having abusive, distant or addicted parents is one thing, but having a father who is a professional assassin takes the term “family drama” to a whole new level.

Charles Harrelson was a prominent organized crime figure who was convicted of killing judge John H. Wood, Jr., the first federal judge who was killed in the 20th century.

According to Woody, his father abandoned their family in 1968, leaving his mother to raise him and his two brothers on her own. Woody knew little of his father’s whereabouts until 1981, when the news broke of Charles’ arrest for the murder of Judge Wood.

Charles Harrelson was also tried for the murder of Alan Berg, but was actually found not guilty by a jury in 1970. As for his second murder trial, Charles Harrelson was convicted of killing Sam Degelia in 1973, and was sentenced to 15 years in prison, but was released after serving only 5 years.

Harrelson was imprisoned soon after the murder of Judge Wood, having been tried, convicted and sentenced to two life sentenced. Woody said he often visited his father in prison, who died of natural causes in 2007.