Who Is Diane Lou Oswald? Inside the Life of Woody Harrelson’s Mother

You may know Woody Harrelson as the funny guy from Cheers, the serious face in True Detective, or the tough survivor in The Hunger Games. But behind this famous actor is someone very special — his mother, Diane Lou Oswald.

Diane is not a celebrity. She doesn’t live in the spotlight. But her life story is powerful. She married a man who turned out to be a contract killer. She raised three sons on her own. And one of them became a Hollywood star.

So, who is Diane Lou Oswald? In this article, we’ll explore her journey as a mother, her struggles, her strength, and how she shaped Woody Harrelson’s life.

Diane Lou Oswald Quick Bio

Diane Lou Oswald’s Early Life

Diane Lou Oswald was born in 1937 in Lebanon, Ohio. That makes her 88 years old in 2025. She grew up in a small town with strong family values. Her parents were Kenneth Oswald and Mary Lou Oswald.

She came from a Christian home and followed the Presbyterian faith. That means church was an important part of her childhood. Diane carried those values into her adult life and passed them on to her own children.

Before anything else, she was just a regular girl from Ohio. But her life was about to take a very different turn.

When Diane Lou Oswald Married Charles Harrelson

In 1959, Diane married Charles Harrelson. It wasn’t a fancy wedding — just a quick decision while Charles was home on leave from the Navy. They were young and hopeful.

After getting married, they moved around a bit. They started in California, where Charles sold encyclopedias. But even then, things were not perfect. He was already making risky choices.

Charles soon got in trouble with the law. In 1960, he was arrested for armed robbery. That was just the beginning of his long criminal path.

Life with a Dangerous Husband

Diane’s husband wasn’t just a gambler or a salesman. He slowly became something much worse — a hitman for hire.

Charles later admitted he had been involved in many murders. In 1968, he was tried for the killing of a man named Alan Berg. Then, in 1973, he was convicted of a murder-for-hire case involving a man named Sam Degelia Jr.. He only served five years before getting out for good behavior.

But he didn’t stop there. Charles later became known for one of the most shocking crimes in U.S. history — the murder of a federal judge, John H. Wood Jr., in 1979. He was paid $250,000 for the hit. He was finally arrested in 1980 and later sentenced to two life terms.

While all of this was happening, Diane had already left him behind.

Diane Lou Oswald Became a Single Mother

Diane and Charles separated in 1964. But even before that, he was often in and out of trouble. In 1968, he left the family for good.

That left Diane alone with three little boys — Woody, Brett, and Jordan. She had to work hard just to put food on the table. She worked as a legal secretary, a job that didn’t pay much. But she never gave up.

In 1973, she made a brave choice. She moved back to her hometown, Lebanon, Ohio, for a fresh start. It was a quiet town — a better place to raise her boys.

Woody Harrelson’s Childhood with His Mother

Woody has shared many stories about growing up with his mom. He said they were poor, but his mom always made sure they had food, clothes, and a roof over their heads.

They lived with Diane’s mother and great-grandmother, who also helped raise the boys. Woody once said he was surrounded by “good, kind women” who shaped him into who he is today.

Even though life was hard, Woody remembered feeling loved and supported. He even joked that he was “the most popular guy in school,” which made his mom very proud.

Diane wasn’t loud or dramatic. She was gentle but strong. Even when Charles left and got involved in terrible crimes, she never spoke badly about him to the kids.

Woody has said that his mother never tried to poison their minds against their father. She stayed silent, even when the truth was hard to face.

That quiet strength left a big impact on Woody. He learned compassion, kindness, and calmness — not from the world of fame, but from his mother at home.

Diane Lou Oswald’s Religious Life and Values

Religion played a big part in Diane’s life. She was a devout Presbyterian and raised all three sons with those values.

They went to church regularly. They had Bible studies at home. Woody even gave his first sermon when he was just 17 years old.

He once said he almost became a church minister because of how much his mom’s faith shaped him. Later in life, Woody’s beliefs changed. But he still says his mother’s values stayed with him.

Did Diane Lou Oswald Know About the Crimes?

Many people wonder — did Diane Lou Oswald know what her husband was really doing? The truth is, she likely knew something was wrong, but she never shared much with her kids.

When news broke that Charles Harrelson was arrested for a serious murder, Woody said he heard about it on the radio. At first, he thought, “Could that really be my dad?”

He asked his mom, Diane, but she didn’t say much. All she said was, “How many Charles V. Harrelsons can there be?” That short reply left Woody to figure it out on his own.

Even after all this, Diane stayed calm. She didn’t talk badly about her ex-husband. She just focused on raising her sons the best she could.

Diane Lou Oswald and Her Famous Sons

Diane Lou Oswald has three sons, and all of them have found their own paths in life.

• Woody Harrelson became a world-famous actor.

• Brett Harrelson, born in 1963, also acted in movies and later worked as Woody’s assistant.

• Jordan Harrelson, the youngest, chose a quiet life and worked as an insurance broker.

Diane supported all of them with equal love. Even though Woody became a star, she was proud of each son, not just the one on screen.

Rumors About Diane Lou Oswald and Lee Harvey Oswald

Here’s something many people have asked: Is Diane Lou Oswald related to Lee Harvey Oswald, the man who shot President John F. Kennedy?

The answer is no, they are not related at all. They just happen to share the same last name — Oswald.

Diane’s parents were Kenneth and Mary Lou Oswald. Lee Harvey Oswald’s parents were Robert and Marguerite Oswald. Two very different families, with no connection between them.

Is Matthew McConaughey Woody Harrelson’s Brother?

Yes — you read that right. Actor Matthew McConaughey once said that his mom may have known Charles Harrelson around the time he was born.

That means there’s a small chance that Matthew and Woody could be half-brothers.

They’ve joked about taking a DNA test, but Matthew said it would feel strange. For him, it would mean losing the father he always knew. For Woody, it would mean gaining a brother.

Woody told Stephen Colbert, “For me, it’s exciting. For Matthew, it’s a bigger deal.” Nothing is confirmed yet, but it’s a surprising twist in Diane Lou Oswald’s story.

Where Is Diane Lou Oswald Now?

As of 2025, Diane Lou Oswald is about 88 years old. She still lives a quiet life, most likely in Lebanon, Ohio, where she raised her sons.

She has three granddaughters from Woody — Deni, Zoe, and Makani Harrelson. Family remains the center of her life.

Her last public appearance was in 2017, when she joined Woody at Wimbledon in London. She doesn’t attend many events, but when she does, she always supports her son with pride.

These days, Diane enjoys peace, family time, and the joy of seeing her children do well.

Final Thoughts

Diane Lou Oswald never asked for fame. But her story is full of strength, heart, and quiet courage.

She married a man who turned into a criminal. She raised three boys on her own, working long hours with very little. And she stayed kind and faithful, even when life was hard.

Her son, Woody Harrelson, may be the one on movie screens — but behind him is a strong woman who shaped his values, his kindness, and his drive.

In the end, Diane Lou Oswald’s legacy isn’t just about being Woody Harrelson’s mother. It’s about being a loving parent, a quiet hero, and a reminder that real strength doesn’t always make noise — sometimes, it just keeps going.

(FAQs)

Is Diane Lou Oswald related to Lee Harvey Oswald?

No! Despite sharing the same last name, Diane Lou Oswald has no connection to Lee Harvey Oswald, the man who killed President John F. Kennedy.

How old is Diane Lou Oswald now?

Diane Lou Oswald was born in 1937, which makes her 88 years old in 2025.

Who are Diane Lou Oswald’s parents?

Her parents were Kenneth Oswald and Mary Lou Oswald — not related to Lee Harvey Oswald’s family at all.

Why do people confuse Diane Lou Oswald with Lee Harvey Oswald?

Because of the Oswald name, many believe they’re connected — but this is just a coincidence. Their family trees are completely separate.

How many children does Diane Lou Oswald have?

She has three sons: Woody Harrelson, Brett Harrelson, and Jordan Harrelson — all raised by her alone after her husband left.