A woman of note in her own right, Diane Lou Oswald gained prominence as the mother of esteemed actor and playwright, Woody Harrelson. Having served as a secretary, Diane’s roots trace back to Kenneth and Mary Lou Oswald. However, her exact birth date remains shrouded in mystery. She was once wed to Charles Voyde Harrelson, a convicted hitman, and bore three children: Woody, Brett, and Jordan Harrelson. Diane’s son, Woody, has made a name for himself through his stellar performances in films such as “White Men Can’t Jump”, “The Hunger Games”, “The People vs. Larry Flynt”, and “Kingpin”.
Early Years and Family Background
Diane Lou Oswald was brought into the world in Lebanon, Warren, Ohio, United States, to Kenneth Oswald and Mary Lou Oswald. Kenneth, Diane’s father, was born in 1912 and passed away in 1957. Her mother, Mary Lou, was born on March 16, 1915, and lived until May 22, 2000. Kenneth was the offspring of Dutch and Izora Oswald.
Background and Upbringing of Diane Lou Oswald
Diane Lou Oswald grew up and spent her early years in Lebanon, Ohio. In her professional capacity, she was employed as a secretary. With Charles Harrelson, a man with a criminal background, she had three children, Woody Harrelson being the most famous amongst them. Diane was a practicing Presbyterian and raised her children in the same faith. Beyond these details, her personal life and upbringing remain largely unknown. Despite the scarcity of information, it’s understood that she was a dedicated mother and her faith played a significant role in her life.
Professional Life of Diane Lou Oswald
Diane Lou Oswald’s career mainly revolved around her role as a secretary. Alongside this, she was a proactive member of her local community and participated in the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA). Her spouse, Charles, undertook various jobs, including a stint as a salesman. In essence, Diane’s professional identity was that of a secretary.
Connection between Diane Lou Oswald and Woody Harrelson
Diane is the mother of Woody Harrelson, a well-known actor and playwright. She and her husband, Charles, had three sons, Woody being one of them. Diane’s influence was pivotal in molding Woody’s character and instilling in him the values he carries today. Woody has spoken highly and affectionately of his mother in public, acknowledging the significant part she played in his upbringing.
Diane Lou Oswald’s Approach to Teaching Compassion
Diane Lou Oswalds was recognized for inculcating compassion in her children, a virtue they carry to this day. Here are some methods she possibly used:
Demonstrating through actions
Diane probably demonstrated kindness and empathy through her actions, thereby setting an example for her children.
Embedding values
Being a devout Presbyterian, Diane likely embedded values of kindness and compassion in her children from an early age.
Promoting empathy
Diane may have urged her children to understand other people’s perspectives and how their actions could affect others, fostering empathy and compassion.
Encouraging forgiveness
As a key aspect of compassion, Diane may have encouraged her children to adopt forgiveness, cultivating a compassionate perspective in their lives.
Diane’s teachings on compassion have remained with her children through their lives. Her commitment to her family and her values are an example for all parents.
Diane’s Relationship with Charles Harrelson, a Convicted Hitman
Diane Lou Oswald’s life took a shocking turn when she became the wife of Charles Boyd Harrelson, a notorious American hitman and organized crime figure. Charles earned infamy as the perpetrator of the first federal judge assassination in the 20th century, the murder of John H. Wood Jr. Before this, Charles worked as an encyclopedia sales representative in California and as a professional gambler, he was found guilty of armed robbery in 1960. He confessed to several murders dating back to the early 1960s. In an audacious move, Charles tried to escape Atlanta Federal Penitentiary using a homemade rope on Independence Day in 1995. Diane and Charles exchanged vows in 1959 but parted ways in 1964. Charles ended up dying of a heart attack in his prison cell on March 15, 2007, at 68 years old.
The Rise of Diane’s Son, Woody Harrelson
Notable actor and playwright Woodrow Tracy Harrelson, more commonly known as Woody Harrelson, is the son of Diane Lou Oswald. Born on July 23, 1961, in Midland, Texas, Woody was raised in Lebanon, Ohio, his mother’s hometown. Woody has had a successful career in film and television for over three decades and is considered one of the industry’s most celebrated actors. His talents extend to playwriting, another significant contributor to his fame and fortune. Woody studied theater arts and English at Hanover College, and after a brief time working in New York theater, he graduated from Lebanon High School in 1979. He first gained public attention for his role as bartender Woody Boyd on the NBC sitcom “Cheers” (1985–1993). His breakout performances include roles in “White Men Can’t Jump”, “The Hunger Games”, “The People vs. Larry Flynt”, and “Kingpin”. Woody’s exceptional talent has earned him a Primetime Emmy Award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and nominations for three Academy Awards and four Golden Globe Awards. Apart from his acting career, Woody is a vocal advocate for the legalization of marijuana and hemp and is a regular attendee at environmental events like PICNIC’07 festival in Amsterdam. He was briefly married to Nancy Simon in the 80s and is currently married to his former assistant, Laura Louie, with whom he shares three daughters: Makani, Zoe, and Dani.