Woody Harrelson's Father Dies In Prison

In this Sept. 11, 2011 photo, clouds obscure a portion of Mount McKinley, in Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska. (AP Photo/Becky Bohrer) / Becky Bohrer

Actor Woody Harrelson's father, Charles Harrelson, died of a heart attack in the Supermax federal prison where he was serving two life sentences for the murder of a federal judge, officials said Wednesday.

Charles Harrelson, 69, was found unresponsive in his cell on the morning of March 15, said Felicia Ponce, a Bureau of Prisons spokeswoman in Washington.

Fremont County Coroner Dorothy Twellman said an autopsy showed Harrelson had severe coronary artery disease. She said he probably died in his sleep. "It appears it was very sudden."

Charles Harrelson was convicted of murder in the May 29, 1979, slaying of U.S. District Judge John Wood Jr. outside his San Antonio home. Prosecutors said a drug dealer hired him to kill Wood because he did not want the judge to preside at his upcoming trial.

Charles Harrelson denied the killing, saying he was in Dallas, 270 miles away, at the time.

Wood, known as "Maximum John" for the sentences he gave in drug cases, was the first federal judge to be killed in the 20th century.

Charles Harrelson was transferred to Supermax, the highest-security federal prison, after attempting to break out of an Atlanta federal prison in 1995. Other inmates at Supermax, about 90 miles south of Denver, include Unabomber Theodore Kaczynski, Oklahoma City bombing coconspirator Terry Nichols and Olympic Park bomber Eric Rudolph.

His son got his start in acting as Woody the bartender on TV's "Cheers" beginning in 1985 and went on to star in films including "Natural Born Killers," "White Men Can't Jump" and "The People vs. Larry Flynt."

Woody Harrelson's publicist did not immediately return a call seeking comment Wednesday.

The actor was just 7 when his father was first sent to prison, for murdering a Texas businessman. He was in college when his father was convicted of the judge's assassination.

[asor1-2009]

In fact, some of the worst people in the world have been so full of jesus they hardly had room for anything else.


So full of what????? I think you meant baloney, didn't you?

[jebediah76]

msphere - this is complete nonsense. If you are to be believed anyone who doesn't have god in their life is destined to become a murderer?
How about all the wackos who try and sometimes succeed in kill doctors who perform abortions? How about those Crusades, eh? - Those bloodthirsty suckas had plenty of God.

Get a clue and realize that many people who don't accept your version of the cosmos live very good, riteous, and upstanding lives. In fact, some of the worst people in the world have been so full of jesus they hardly had room for anything else.

[msphere]

Yes killers do go to Heaven if they are saved. In the Bible King David Killed a man, Moses killed a man and they went on to be great men of God. I hate to hear about a murder but that's what happens when God isn't in peoples lives.

[sugarmice-2009]

our hearts and prayers go out to you and your family. this is a tragic loss - losing a family member is very hard - lost my father 4 months ago. You were a good son and he knows it. He is with the angels now and looking down on you - when you look up at the sky and see a smiling cloud - he's sending you his love.... god bless you

[bluestardad]

hey at least there was one good judge!

[susanhelit]

So what? The guy killed a judge! He deserved to have been put to death, not a nice little 'in his sleep' heart attack. Woody Harrelson's a nice guy, but that doesn't change who his father was!

[karlimhof]

Dear Mr. Harrelson

I offer you my sincere condolences for your loss.
You're a fine actor and I wish you continued success. And don't worry, we'll meet again at the Great Meeting Place. Sincerely, Karl Imhof/Trelex, Switzerland

[motownn]

I recall that Woody was trying to get his dad released. If so, it may have been an effort more for the son's benefit than the father's. Woody, you did all you could. No regrets and no guilt, Woody. Sorry for your loss. Warmest aloha. Rick Kihei.