Diane Lou Oswald is well-known as Woody Harrelson’s mother, a famous American actor and playwright. Diane used to work as a secretary. She was once married to Charles Voyde Harrelson, who was a criminal. They divorced in the 1960s, and she had to raise her children independently. What’s remarkable is that she never made her sons dislike their dad and allowed them to have a relationship with him later in life. Woody, her child, is famous for his acting in movies, and people admire Diane for her unique qualities. Keep reading if you want to know more about Diane Lou Oswald, her age, family, and other interesting details.
Diane Lou Oswald Wikipedia
| Name | Diane Lou Oswald |
| Famous as | Woody Harrelson’s Mother |
| Gender | Female |
| Date Of Birth | 1937 |
| Age | 87 (as 2024) |
| Birthplace | Lebanon, Warren, Ohio, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Children | Woody Harrelson, Brett Harrelson, Jordan Harrelson |
| Parents | Kenneth Oswald and Mary Lou Oswald |
| Spouse | Charles Harrelson |
| Grandchildren | Zoe Giordano Harrelson and Deni Montana Harrelson, Makani Ravello Harrelson |
Diane Lou Oswald Life Overview
Growing Up
Diane Lou Oswald, famous as Woody Harrelson’s mom, was born in 1937 in Lebanon, Warren, Ohio. She’s now 87 years old and has spent most of her life in the United States. Diane’s parents were Mary Lou Oswald and Kenneth Oswald. We’re not sure if she had brothers or sisters, but she was quite religious, which means she greatly believed in God.
Education and Work
Diane went to school in her hometown and got a good education. After school, she became a legal secretary. That’s a job where you help lawyers with paperwork and other important stuff. She worked hard to make money to take care of her three kids.
Her Family
Let’s look at the Diane Lou Oswald family tree. Her dad, Kenneth Earl Oswald, was born in 1912 and passed away in 1957. Her mom, Mary Lou Oswald, was born on March 16, 1915, and she died on May 22, 2000. Diane’s grandparents on her dad’s side were Dutch and Izora Oswald.
Marriage to Charles Harrelson
Diane’s life got interesting when she married Charles Harrelson in 1959. Charles was not a regular guy; he was involved in some bad stuff like organized crime and being a hitman for hire. They got married in Texas and decided to start a family in a place called Midland.
Becoming a Mom
Soon after they married, they had three sons quickly: Jordan Harrelson in 1960, Woody Harrelson in July 1961, and Brett Harrelson in June 1963. Diane worked as a legal secretary, and Charles did different jobs to care for their kids, like selling stuff.
Troubles in Marriage
Sadly, Diane and Charles didn’t have a peaceful marriage. Charles was into gambling and borrowed money from some bad people. When he couldn’t pay them back, he turned to a life of crime to survive. This made their marriage tough.
Charles’ Legal Troubles
Charles got into trouble with the law early on in their marriage. He was arrested for armed robbery in 1960, just a year after they got married. As the years went by, he got into even bigger trouble and was convicted of murders, like the killing of Sam Degelia and Judge John H. Wood Jr. in 1973 and 1979.
The Divorce
Diane couldn’t handle Charles’ criminal life anymore, especially how it affected their kids. So, she decided to divorce him. Some people say this happened in 1964, while others think it was in 1968, the same year Charles was arrested for more murders.
Raising Kids Alone
After the divorce, Diane became the main person taking care of her three sons. Charles left home in 1968, and from then on, Diane was on her own to raise her boys. It was tough because she worked as a legal secretary, and money was always tight.
Starting Fresh
In 1973, Diane made a big decision. She moved back to her hometown of Lebanon, Ohio, with her sons to start over. They got some help from her family there, and she kept working hard to provide for her children. She also taught her kids important values as they grew up.
Her Son A Famous Actor
One of Diane Lou Oswald’s sons, Woody Harrelson, became a big Hollywood actor. He played lots of different roles in movies and TV shows, like “White Men Can’t Jump,” “Cheers,” “Frasier,” “Hunger Games,” “Indecent Proposal,” and “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.” He even got nominated for three Oscars, which are big awards in the movie world.
A Strong Bond
Diane Lou Oswald and her kids always stayed close. Woody thinks his mom is a big part of his success. He says she taught him to work hard, be nice to people, and be a good person. Woody is thankful that his mom never said bad things about his dad, even when she had reasons to be angry. This allowed Woody and his brothers to keep a good relationship with their dad, even when he was in jail.
Diane Lou Oswald’s life is a story of strength, motherhood, and the special love between a mother and her children, even when life gets really hard.
How did Diane support Woody Harrelson’s Career?
He was born as Woodrow Tracy Harrelson on July 23, 1961, in Midland, Texas, USA. As of the time this article was written, Woody Harrelson is 62 years old.
As a kid, he went to The Briarwood School, and later he went to Lebanon High School, where he graduated in 1979. After that, he went to Hanover College in Hanover, Indiana, where he studied theater and English and graduated in 1983.
Growing up, Woody Harrelson came from a family with a complicated history. His father was actually involved in some serious stuff and even played a similar role in a famous movie called “Natural Born Killers.” These early experiences in his life shaped his perspective and made him determined to make a name for himself in Hollywood.
Moreover, his mother supported him at every step. When Woody got a role in the popular TV show “Cheers” in the mid-1980s, his career really took off. The show became a big hit and put him in the spotlight, setting the stage for his movie debut.
Natural Born Killers
One of his most famous roles was in Oliver Stone’s controversial movie “Natural Born Killers,” where he played a character named Mickey Knox. The movie explored themes of violence and how the media can manipulate things. Woody’s acting versatility really shined in this film, and he got a lot of praise from critics.
He continued to take on challenging roles, like playing Larry Flynt, the owner of “Hustler” magazine, in the biographical drama “The People vs. Larry Flynt.” He did such a great job that he even got nominated for an Academy Award, showing that he’s not afraid to tackle tough roles.
But Woody Harrelson isn’t just known for his acting. He’s also a dedicated environmentalist who has been involved in various campaigns to promote eco-friendly living and protect the environment. People worldwide appreciate his commitment to these critical issues, which adds another dimension to his public image.
His mother encouraged and praised him alot. Beyond his success in movies, Woody Harrelson has also impacted popular culture. His friendly and likeable personality has won over audiences of all ages, whether he’s hosting “Saturday Night Live” or making memorable appearances in popular TV shows like “Friends.” That’s how his mother, Diane Lou Oswald is an interesting topic to discuss.