Many people know Woody Harrelson as a versatile and talented actor who has starred in many movies and TV shows, such as Cheers, Natural Born Killers, The Hunger Games, True Detective, and more. But did you know that he has a brother who is also an actor? And did you know that their father was a notorious hitman who was convicted of assassinating a federal judge?
In this article, we will explore the fascinating and tragic story of the Harrelson family, and how Brett Harrelson, Woody’s younger brother, is trying to uncover the truth about their father’s life and crimes.
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Who is Brett Harrelson?
Brett Harrelson was born on June 4, 1963, in Midland, Texas. He is the son of Diane Lou (née Oswald) and Charles Voyde Harrelson, who divorced in 1964. He has two brothers, Jordan and Woody Harrelson.
Brett followed his brother Woody to California when he was 22 years old, hoping to pursue an acting career. However, he did not find much success at first, and instead became a motorcycle racer for a while. He later returned to acting and appeared in some films, such as The People vs. Larry Flynt (alongside Woody), Strangeland, From Dusk Till Dawn 2: Texas Blood Money, and Inferno.
Brett is also a co-producer of Son of a Hitman, a podcast series that investigates the life and crimes of his father, Charles Harrelson. The podcast was released by Spotify Studios and High Five Content in 2020.
Who is Charles Harrelson?
Charles Harrelson was born on July 23, 1938, in Lovelady, Texas. He was a contract killer who was involved in organized crime and drug trafficking. He was arrested for the killing of Judge John H. Wood Jr. by rifle fire in 1979 in San Antonio. He was the first person to murder a federal judge in the 20th century.
Charles was also convicted of two other murders: Alan Berg, a grain dealer from San Antonio, in 1968; and Sam Degelia Jr., a carpet salesman from Hearne, Texas, in 1973. He claimed to have killed many more people, including President John F. Kennedy.
Charles died in prison on March 15, 2007, at the age of 68. He was serving a life sentence at the United States Penitentiary Administrative Maximum Facility in Florence, Colorado.
How did Brett and Woody cope with their father’s crimes?
Brett and Woody grew up without their father, who left the family when Woody was seven years old. They moved with their mother to Lebanon, Ohio, where they were raised.
Brett had a brief encounter with his father when he was 16 years old. He was sent to live with him for four months after getting caught smoking weed in high school. He later regretted this decision and said that his father was not a good influence on him.
Woody had a more distant relationship with his father. He only visited him once in prison when he was 20 years old. He said that he had a lot of anger and rage towards him, but also felt some compassion and forgiveness.
Both brothers have expressed their interest in finding out more about their father’s past and motives. They have also used their art as a way of dealing with their emotions and trauma.
What is Son of a Hitman about?
Son of a Hitman is a podcast series that explores the life and crimes of Charles Harrelson from different perspectives. It features interviews with Brett Harrelson, who shares his personal memories and experiences with his father; former FBI agents who worked on the case; witnesses who testified against him; journalists who covered the story; and experts who analyze the evidence and theories.
The podcast covers many topics, such as:
- The background and personality of Charles Harrelson
- The details and controversies of the Judge Wood assassination
- The possible connections between Charles Harrelson and other famous crimes, such as the JFK assassination
- The impact of Charles Harrelson’s actions on his family and society
- The legal and ethical issues surrounding the case
- The quest for truth and justice
Son of a Hitman is a gripping and revealing podcast that sheds light on one of the most notorious hitmen in American history. It is also a personal and emotional journey for Brett Harrelson, who tries to understand his father and himself.
Conclusion
Is Brett Harrelson related to Woody Harrelson? Yes, they are brothers who share a common bond: their father was a hitman who killed a judge and claimed to have killed many more. Their father’s crimes have shaped their lives and careers in different ways. Brett Harrelson is now co-producing a podcast that investigates his father’s story and seeks to uncover the truth. Woody Harrelson is a successful actor who has used his art as a way of coping and expressing himself.
If you are interested in learning more about the Harrelson family and their father’s crimes, you can listen to Son of a Hitman on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. You can also watch some of the movies that Brett and Woody Harrelson have starred in, such as The People vs. Larry Flynt, Natural Born Killers, Zombieland, and more.
