Maybe not too amiable fate left a mark on the stage role and work of the American actor, director and playwright. The father is a recidivist, early left three children to be raised by a single mother.
From school, studying in a theater studio, Woody received a certificate of a professional actor at the same time as a college diploma. He performed at the theater and became known to the general public as a shirt-guy in the popular game television series “Merry Company”. Almost simultaneously, he began acting in films.
Let's see what ten widescreen films can be mistaken for milestones in Harrelson’s movie career:
10. The cowboys so accepted | 1994
One of the early roles (1994) was the image of a dashing cowboy in an almost classic western. The hero of Harrelson spent his whole life in that, together with his bosom friend, he amused the unassuming public at the village "cowboy shows."
But once the comrades have to go to New York to the rescue of a friend. The big city is not at all what the Texas plain is. Here other people, different orders, a different rhythm of life.
Cowboy savvy and the habit of not giving up on difficulties will help overcome any slingshots. And, of course, the natural charm of the “simple guys” will play an important role.
9. Natural born killers | 1994
The widest fame and true stardom brought Woody Harelson collaboration with Oliver Stone. All in the same 1994, Woody was able to play a major role in the film "Natural Born Killers."
The script seems to be written right under Harrelson. His hero (Mickey Knox) does not know fear, shame and conscience. With the same loathsome girlfriend, they sow death and destruction on the path of their "entertaining journey."
No special morality, not too intelligible plot. But this is Oliver Stone, and the film receives six nominations, two awards and brings Harrelson fame and authority in Hollywood.
8. The people against Larry Flynt | 1996
An unprincipled entrepreneur, adventurer, journalist and producer Larry Flynt (who was played by Woody Harrelson in 1996) earns his millions by any, even the most dubious, dealings.
But society is heterogeneous. Persistent guardians of public morality are found trying to force Flint to give up “shameful” occupations by their standards — the organization of strip bars and the publication of porn magazines. In litigation, the case can go to skirmishes.
The main character of the drama, which Woody brilliantly played, is not at all a "bad" person. He just wants to live by his own rules. It seems like this is becoming the leitmotif of Harrelson's roles and its traditional screen image.
7. Country of hills and valleys | 1998
Filmed in 1998, the drama is a classic western. The traditional and repeatedly “run-in” genre allows Harrelson to play the familiar role of a short-sighted but kind shirt-guy in literally one breath.
The situation and plot have much in common with "Cowboys so accepted." Even though bosom cowboy friends are faced with injustice in their native land.
Be that as it may, the director’s prize and the “opening of the year” prize to Woody’s on-screen partner (Billy Krudal), who had just begun to master in Hollywood.
6. Trans-Siberian Express | 2007
Filmed in 2008, the film caused very mixed criticism and reaction from the audience. Opinions ranged from "complete failure" to "finally removed the truth of life." According to the plot, it was planned to show the whole diversity of nature and the versatility of life patterns in the vast space of Russia: from China to Moscow.
Harrelson got the main role - a slightly naive, but not stupid Christian missionary. Together with his wife, they have to admire many, marvel at many, and learn something along the long road through a completely unfamiliar country.
It is funny that the film caused the most positive ratings from the Russian audience. It did not hurt even the fact that most of the filming of "Siberia" took place in the winter Baltic.
5. Welcome to Zombieland | 2009
In 2009, Woody Harrelson happily starred in the amusing zombie action movie. Together with a young but already experienced Jesse Eisenberg, Woody managed to create an atmosphere of a daring crazy woman, tightly linked to common sense.
When everything is going on, literally, the devil knows that few people who are fortunate enough to remain in a conditionally normal form can only accept the "rules of the game" and adhere to their own principles.
The hero of Eisenberg, as an anchor to keep his mind, turned up handy "rules with bonuses and penalty points." For the hero of Harrelson, a love straw for a certain type of cookie became a saving straw. Together, they are a super-team to destroy zombies and save beautiful girls!
4. Seven psychopaths | 2012
Another "black comedy" in which Woody took part in 2012 was "Seven Psychopaths." The director of the film, Martin McDonagh, obviously found in Harrelson a man close to him in spirit and outlook on life. The Irish screenwriter and playwright offered the actor not the most important, but the vivid role of a completely untidy gangster.
Obviously, the decision was made under the influence of Harrelson’s success in Born Killers. Initially, the director wanted Mickey Rourke to play this role. But Mickey had significant difficulties with alcohol and drugs. After several ugly scenes, Rourke and McDonagh finally quarreled.
By inviting Harrelson, the director did not lose at all, which was confirmed by the magnificent box office and many awards. And Mickey Rourke still appears on the screen. A cheerful actor and director in one of the key scenes used a gravestone, which is coarsely written: "Mickey."
3. The Hunger Games | 2012
An epic about the life and exploits of the brave girl Katniss Everdeen. Preparing for the filming of the first film of the future saga, director Gary Ross for quite some time chose the performer of the role of the Mentor (Haymitch Eberneti). But, nevertheless, John Reilly preferred the rather dry "felon" Woody Harrelson to the dense jolly.
The choice was literally "to the point." Harrelson is not the first to play both fun, simple-minded guys and paranoid killers. In the proposed plot there was a place for both sides of the actor. And in 2012, the picture achieved stunning success at the box office.
2. The illusion of deception | 2013 - 2016
Having received the invitation to shoot a game picture in 2012, Woody Harrelson readily agreed, since he had already successfully worked in a screen duet with Jesse Eisenberg. The script promised the alluring role of a fun magician and promised difficult shooting.
Preparing for the role, Woody seriously mastered the skills of a manipulative psychologist. According to the smallest, purely reflex reactions, the master of this genre is able to “guess the thoughts” of the experimental subject and unobtrusively control his behavior. The actor admits that this was a very interesting life experience.
1. Three billboards on the border of Ebbing | 2017
In 2017, Woody Harrelson again played in a film directed and directed by Martin McDonagh. Already knowing Woody’s character and “handwriting”, the director offered Harrelson a rather complicated, although not remarkable at first glance, role of an “honest sheriff”.
In a small town, everyone knows each other literally from the cradle. It is impossible to remain indifferent when trouble happens with your old friend (and maybe even a relative). But the law is the law, and you have to perform the service - regardless of personal feelings, public opinion and a direct insult to people you know well.
It doesn’t matter if you are right or right - somehow you need to be able to curb your feelings and fulfill your duty. Well, and if the law interferes with justice - maybe the law is not quite right?