Diane Lou Oswald is the mother of American actor Woody Harrelson and two other sons, Jordan and Brett. Also known as Diane Harrelson, she worked as a legal secretary and supported her family as a single mother. She raised her boys with help from her mother and grandmother, with much of their family life centred on Lebanon, Ohio.
Woody’s interviews offer a personal picture of her humour, determination, and influence on his values. He has described her efforts to provide for her children while working on a modest salary. This profile explores her Ohio roots, marriage to Charles Harrelson, working life, and relationships within the Harrelson family.
Quick Bio
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Diane Lou Oswald |
| Also Known As | Diane Harrelson |
| Known For | Mother of actor Woody Harrelson |
| Birth Date and Age | Not reliably established in the cited profiles |
| Occupation | Legal secretary |
| Hometown | Lebanon, Ohio, United States |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Former Husband | Charles Voyde Harrelson |
| Marriage Date | February 26, 1958 |
| Reported Divorce Year | 1964, according to the Texas State Historical Association |
| Children | Three sons: Jordan Harrelson, Woody Harrelson, and Brett Harrelson |
| Granddaughters Through Woody | Deni Harrelson, Zoe Harrelson, and Makani Harrelson |
Her Ohio Roots and Return to Lebanon
Lebanon, Ohio, is identified in public profiles as Diane Lou Oswald’s hometown. Her three sons, Jordan, Woody, and Brett, were born in Midland, Texas, before she brought the family back to Ohio. The return connected her children with the community she came from and became an important part of their upbringing.
Esquire’s 2019 profile places the move when Woody was 12. Asked whether relocating to the Midwest had been difficult, he described it as a positive change and recalled feeling less like an outsider at school. He also remembered his mother proudly sharing a teacher’s encouraging comments about how well he got along with other children.
Marriage and Separation From Charles Harrelson
Diane Lou Oswald married Charles Voyde Harrelson on February 26, 1958, in Pasadena, Texas. The couple spent time in Los Angeles before moving to Midland, Texas, where they welcomed their sons, Jordan, Woody, and Brett. The Texas State Historical Association records 1964 as the year of their divorce.
Accounts of the separation differ. Woody later recalled his parents separating when he was around seven and described his father’s frequent earlier absences. Diane raised the boys with support from her mother and grandmother. Woody also credited her with avoiding negative comments about their father, despite the breakdown of their relationship.
Working as a Legal Secretary
Diane Lou Oswald worked as a legal secretary while raising her three sons, Jordan, Woody, and Brett. Woody has described growing up with limited money, while remembering that his mother always looked after the boys and made sure they had food. Her earnings helped support the family through those years.
Speaking to Esquire in 2023, Woody praised her efforts to balance full-time work, a modest salary, and raising three children. He recalled reading a humorous letter she wrote to the government about taxes, which helped him understand the financial pressure she faced. The memory made him laugh while also deepening his sympathy for her situation. As he put it, “I admire her quite a lot.”
Raising Jordan, Woody, and Brett Harrelson
Diane Lou Oswald raised three sons: Jordan, Woody, and Brett Harrelson. With their father absent for much of their childhood, she carried much of the responsibility for their upbringing. Jordan later described her role in the podcast Son of a Hitman, remembering that she was both “mom and dad.”
Woody’s memories also reveal the affection he felt for his mother. He described his childhood as happy and called himself a “mama’s boy.” These recollections suggest that, alongside the family’s difficulties, he remembered warmth and a close bond with Diane.
The Women Who Helped Raise Her Sons
Diane Lou Oswald’s mother and grandmother helped her raise Jordan, Woody, and Brett Harrelson. In a 2012 GQ interview, Woody spoke warmly about all three women, describing them as religious and kind. He said their influence had shaped him positively, while remembering their different personalities.
His great-grandmother, Polly, stood out as a lively storyteller. His grandmother, by comparison, was quiet and spoke sparingly. Woody also regretted not writing down Polly’s stories about her own mother and grandmother, a family history he wished he had preserved.
Helping Woody Through His Early School Years
Woody’s early school years included anger and difficulties in the classroom. In a 2019 Esquire interview, he recalled being expelled from nursery school and first grade before attending Briarwood, a private school in Houston. He remembered its teachers combining education with affection and responding kindly when he behaved badly. He said that approach helped him.
Diane Lou Oswald helped make that support possible. Speaking to Esquire in 2023, Woody credited his mother with arranging a school that could meet his needs while she worked and raised three children. He looked back with admiration at how she had managed those responsibilities and secured the additional help he needed.
Presbyterian Faith and Values at Home
Diane Lou Oswald raised her sons in a devout Presbyterian household, where religion was part of family life. Woody recalled frequent church visits and Bible study, including sessions held at home. In his 2012 GQ interview, he also remembered giving his first sermon at 17, while still in high school.
That religious background influenced his early educational choices. Woody attended Hanover College on a Presbyterian scholarship and considered entering the ministry, although he majored in English and theater. He later spoke about moving away from the Christian beliefs of his youth, while describing his mother’s lasting religious devotion.
How Woody Describes His Mother’s Influence
Woody Harrelson has described his mother’s efforts as “Herculean.” In a 2023 Esquire interview, he reflected on how much she managed while raising three sons. When asked whether her support influenced his own parenting, he agreed, explaining that he wants his daughters to follow paths that make them happy, even when his preferences differ.
He has also identified specific qualities he learned from Diane Lou Oswald. Speaking to GQ in 2012, he named compassion as her most important lesson and credited her with encouraging his concern for nature. He also recognized her energy in his own work ethic.
Premieres, Wimbledon, and Time With Woody
Getty Images documents Diane Lou Oswald joining Woody at several public events. Its archive includes photographs of them at the Westwood premiere of White Men Can’t Jump. She also attended the Indecent Proposal VIP screening on April 6, 1993, at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills, where she was photographed with Woody and Ted Danson.
Their outings together also extended beyond film events. On July 15, 2017, photographer John Phillips captured mother and son at Wimbledon in London. Getty’s caption identifies them as guests hosted by Stella Artois at the tennis championships, documenting another public appearance together more than two decades later.
Her Grandchildren and the Wider Family
Diane Lou Oswald’s grandchildren through Woody are Deni Montana, Zoe, and Makani Ravello Harrelson. Woody and Laura Louie welcomed Deni in 1994, Zoe in 1996, and Makani in 2006. The couple married in Hawaii in 2008, after many years together.
Deni and Zoe grew up largely away from the spotlight, although members of the family have occasionally joined Woody at public events. Laura, Deni, and Makani attended the 2023 Champions premiere with him. Zoe also appeared alongside her father in U2’s 2015 “Song for Someone” music video, while Makani appeared in his films LBJ and Lost in London.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Diane Lou Oswald?
Her exact age is not reliably established in the public profiles cited here, which do not provide a confirmed birth date.
Where is Diane Lou Oswald from?
Lebanon, Ohio, is identified as her hometown. She later returned there with her three sons.
What did Diane Lou Oswald do for a living?
She worked as a legal secretary while supporting and raising her three sons.
Was Diane Lou Oswald married to Charles Harrelson?
Yes. They married in 1958, and the Texas State Historical Association reports that they divorced in 1964.
How many children does Diane Lou Oswald have?
She has three sons: Jordan, Woody, and Brett Harrelson.
What has Woody Harrelson said about his mother?
Woody has credited her with teaching him compassion and passing on her concern for nature and her energy. He has also expressed admiration for how she managed the responsibilities of raising three sons.
Conclusion: Diane Lou Oswald’s Family and Lasting Influence
Diane Lou Oswald’s family story centers on raising Jordan, Woody, and Brett while working as a legal secretary. With help from her mother and grandmother, she provided the care and support Woody has repeatedly acknowledged in interviews.
His memories connect her influence to compassion, energy, and concern for nature. He has also recognized how her support shaped his approach to raising his own children. These recollections offer a portrait of a mother whose example reached beyond her sons’ childhood years and into another generation of the family.
