When people think of Woody Harrelson, they see a famous Hollywood actor. But behind his success stands a remarkable woman who shaped his life with love, faith, and incredible strength. Her name is Diane Lou Oswald, and her story is one of courage, hard work, and dedication to family.
Personal Info
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Diane Lou Oswald |
| Famous As | Mother of actor Woody Harrelson |
| Date of Birth | 1937 |
| Age | 88 years (as of 2025) |
| Birthplace | Lebanon, Ohio, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Legal Secretary (former) |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| Ex-Husband | Charles Voyde Harrelson (m. 1959) |
| Children | Woody Harrelson, Brett Harrelson, Jordan Harrelson |
| Grandchildren | Deni Harrelson, Zoe Harrelson, Makani Harrelson |
| Parents | Kenneth Oswald, Mary Lou Oswald |
| Known For | Raising three sons as a single mother with strength and dedication |
| Current Residence | Lebanon, Ohio, United States |
Early Life and Background
Diane Lou Oswald was born in 1937 in Lebanon, Ohio, a small town in the American Midwest. She grew up in a simple family that believed in hard work, faith, and community values. Life in a small town taught her the importance of helping others and staying strong during difficult times.
Her parents, Kenneth Oswald and Mary Lou Oswald, raised her with strong values. These early lessons would become very important later in her life when she faced many challenges. Though not much is known about her school years, Diane learned enough to work as a secretary, which was a respected job for women at that time.
Marriage and Family Life
In 1959, Diane married Charles Voyde Harrelson. At first, Charles worked as an encyclopedia salesman in California. Together, they had three sons: Jordan, Woody, and Brett. For a while, life seemed normal for the young family.
However, things changed when Charles became involved in serious crimes. He was arrested multiple times and eventually received a life sentence in prison for killing a federal judge named John H. Wood Jr. in 1979. This terrible event changed everything for Diane and her children.
Suddenly, Diane found herself alone with three young boys to raise. Her husband was in prison, and she had to become both mother and father to her children. This was not easy, but Diane never gave up.
Life as a Single Mother
Being a single mother in the 1970s was very difficult. Diane had to work hard to put food on the table and keep a roof over their heads. She worked as a secretary and later as a legal secretary. The money she earned was not much, but it was enough to take care of her family.
In 1973, Diane made an important decision. She moved back to her hometown of Lebanon, Ohio, with her three sons. This move gave her children a fresh start. Woody attended Lebanon High School and graduated in 1979. The small town gave the boys stability and a safe place to grow up, away from the public attention on their father’s crimes.
Living in Lebanon also meant that Diane’s mother, Mary Lou Lauterwasser, could help raise the children. Her grandmother was also there to support them. These strong women worked together to create a loving home for the boys.
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Faith and Values
Diane was a deeply religious Presbyterian. Her faith gave her strength during the hardest times. She raised all three sons in the church and taught them to believe in God. Woody has said that his mother’s faith was so strong that he almost became a church minister himself.
Besides faith, Diane taught her children other important values:
Kindness and Compassion: Woody often says he learned to care about others from his mother. She showed him how to treat people with respect and understanding.
Hard Work: Diane worked every day to support her family. Her sons watched her and learned that success comes from effort and dedication.
Honesty: Even though their father was a criminal, Diane never spoke badly about him. She let her children form their own opinions. This showed them the importance of fairness and truth.
Respect for Nature: Diane cared about the world around her. She passed this value to Woody, who is now known for supporting environmental causes.
The Mother-Son Bond
Woody Harrelson speaks about his mother with great love and respect. In many interviews, he has said that she is the reason for his success. He calls her his guiding light and credits her for his work ethic and moral values.
Growing up in a house full of women – his mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother – shaped Woody’s view of strength. His great-grandmother Polly was fun and told great stories. His grandmother was quiet but strong. And his mother was the rock that held everything together.
Woody remembers that his family was poor during his childhood. Money was always tight. But Diane made sure her sons had what they needed. More importantly, she gave them love, support, and a safe home.
When Woody became popular at school, Diane was proud of him. She continued to support him when he decided to become an actor. Even when he became famous, she never asked for attention or special treatment.
A Quiet Life Away from Fame
Unlike many celebrity parents, Diane chose to stay out of the spotlight. She did not give interviews or write books about her life. She did not walk red carpets or attend Hollywood parties. Instead, she focused on her family and personal peace.
Diane made a few public appearances with Woody over the years. In 1993, she attended a movie screening with him. In 2017, at the age of 80, she went to the Wimbledon Championships in London with her son. These rare moments show a mother who was comfortable in her own skin and did not need fame to feel important.
Her choice to stay private protected both her and her children. It allowed them to have a normal relationship without the pressure of public attention.
Legacy and Impact
Today, Diane Lou Oswald is 88 years old. She lives quietly, surrounded by her family. She has three granddaughters through Woody: Deni, Zoe, and Makani Harrelson. Her other sons, Brett and Jordan, also found their own paths in life.
Diane’s legacy is not found in movies or on television. Her legacy lives in the men her sons became. Woody Harrelson is not just a successful actor. He is known as a kind, decent person in an industry that is not always kind. He speaks out for environmental causes and treats people with respect. These qualities come directly from his mother’s teachings.
Brett and Jordan also grew up to be good men, showing that Diane’s influence reached all her children equally.
The Power of a Mother’s Love
Diane Lou Oswald’s story teaches us important lessons. She showed that one strong parent can make all the difference in a child’s life. She proved that your background does not decide your future. She demonstrated that true strength is not loud or dramatic. Sometimes, strength looks like getting up every day, going to work, and loving your children through whatever life brings.
Her story also reminds us that the people who change the world are not always famous. Sometimes, they are quiet mothers who work hard, keep their families together, and teach their children to be good people.
Conclusion
Diane Lou Oswald never looked for fame or recognition. She simply did what she believed was right. She raised her children with love, faith, and strong values. She worked hard to give them a stable home. She taught them to be kind, honest, and hardworking.
Today, when Woody Harrelson stands on stage accepting awards or appears in movies, he carries his mother’s lessons with him. His success is also her success. Her quiet strength shaped one of Hollywood’s most respected actors, and that is a legacy worth celebrating.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Diane Lou Oswald?
Diane Lou Oswald is the mother of famous actor Woody Harrelson. She is a former legal secretary from Lebanon, Ohio, who raised three sons mostly on her own after her husband was sent to prison.
2. Is Diane Lou Oswald related to Lee Harvey Oswald?
No, they are not related. Many people ask this question because they share the same last name. However, their parents are completely different. Lee Harvey Oswald’s mother was Marguerite Claverie, while Diane’s parents were Kenneth and Mary Lou Oswald.
3. How many children does Diane Lou Oswald have?
Diane has three sons: Woody Harrelson (the famous actor), Brett Harrelson, and Jordan Harrelson. All three boys were raised by Diane after their father went to prison.
4. What values did Diane teach Woody Harrelson?
Diane taught Woody many important values including kindness, compassion, hard work, honesty, and respect for nature. Woody often credits his mother for teaching him how to treat people well and work hard for his dreams.
5. Where does Diane Lou Oswald live now?
Diane currently lives a private life in Lebanon, Ohio, where she raised her children. At 88 years old, she enjoys spending time with her family, including her three granddaughters. She rarely appears in public and prefers to stay away from the spotlight.
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