American actor Woody Harrelson is known to many for his prolific acting career.
The 58-year-old star first became a household name bartender after playing bartender Woody Boyd in 200 episodes of the NBC sitcom Cheers. Since then, Harrelson has truly showcased his diverse talents with roles in movies such as Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, The People vs. Larry Flynt, and even The Hunger Games series.
However, what you may not know about the actor is that his father was a convicted murderer who died in prison while serving two life sentences.
Alleged hitman Charles Harrelson was sentenced to two life terms in 1982 for the 1979 murder of a federal judge named John H. Wood Jr - the first federal judge to have been killed in the 20th century.
Charles Harrelson had also been convicted in 1968 murder-for-hire case of grain dealer Sam Degelia Jr, a grain dealer and father of four who was killed in McAllen, Texas. In 1973, Charles was convicted and sentenced to 15 years in prison, but he was let out after five years for good behavior.
In 1970, he also stood trial for the death of carpet salesman Alan Berg, but was acquitted by the jury.
It has long been believed that professional gambler Charles was involved in the world of organized crime - with the convict even claiming during a drug-fuelled stand-off with the police that he was involved in the murder of President John F. Kennedy.
In a television interview after his arrest, Harrelson said: "At the same time I said I had killed the judge I said I had killed Kennedy, which might give you an idea as to the state of my mind at the time, but that was in an effort to elongate my life."
Now, a new 10-episode Spotify podcast will delve into the captivating life and crimes of Charles Harrelson.
Per Entertainment Weekly, the podcast, titled Son of a Hitman, will begin in May and will feature new interviews with Woody's brothers, Brett and Jordan.
As of this writing, Woody is not confirmed to be taking part in the podcast in any capacity.
The show will be hosted by journalist Jason Cavanagh, who will reportedly carry out a real-time investigation over the course of the series, which will include on-the-ground reporting with individuals who knew Charles before and after he was arrested.
In an interview with People Magazine back in 1988, Woody spoke candidly about his father - going as far as to describe his conviction as a "travesty".
As well as talking about visiting his father in prison once a year, in this interview, Woody revealed how he felt his father had fallen victim to prejudicial pretrial publicity, and further noted how the trial judge had been one of the murder victim’s pallbearers:
"I don’t feel he was much of a father. He took no valid part in my upbringing.
"[…] This might sound odd to say about a convicted felon, but my father is one of the most articulate, well-read, charming people I’ve ever known.
"Still, I’m just now gauging whether he merits my loyalty or friendship. I look at him as someone who could be a friend more than someone who was a father."
Charles was found dead in his cell in 2007 at the age of 68 after suffering a heart attack.
