Diane Lou Oswald is best known as the mother of actor Woody Harrelson. But her own story is about strength, faith, and hard work. She raised three boys mostly on her own and kept the family together during hard years. In this friendly, easy-to-read guide, you will learn about her roots, her values, and how she shaped Woody’s life and character.
Personl Information
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Diane Lou Oswald |
| Known for | Mother of actor Woody Harrelson |
| Hometown | Lebanon, Ohio, USA |
| Lived in | Texas and Ohio |
| Nationality | American |
| Faith | Presbyterian background |
| Work | Secretary / legal secretary |
| Children | Woody Harrelson, Brett Harrelson, Jordan Harrelson |
| Former spouse | Charles Voyde Harrelson (divorced) |
| Public life | Private person; rare public events |
| Core traits | Compassion, energy, commitment to family |
Early life and roots
Diane is closely tied to Lebanon, Ohio, a small Midwestern city where she later brought up her sons. Woody moved there as a boy and finished high school in Lebanon.
Growing up in the American Midwest gave Diane a strong sense of community and church. Woody has said he was raised in a Presbyterian household, which tells us how important faith and routine were in their home.
Marriage to Charles Harrelson and a difficult turn
Diane married Charles Voyde Harrelson. Their marriage brought three sons: Jordan, Woody, and Brett. But life changed when Charles was arrested and later received a life sentence for the 1979 killing of federal judge John H. Wood Jr. Diane then had to raise the boys mostly alone. These are painful facts, but they are part of the family’s true story.
Single mother, steady job
To support her family, Diane worked as a secretary and later as a legal secretary. The family had little money and relied on her wages. This steady work helped the boys stay in school and find a normal rhythm after the family’s hard years.
Local coverage from Ohio also recalls Diane taking a job at a nearby law firm while her son attended Lebanon High School. It shows a mother who kept moving forward, one day at a time.
A new start in Ohio
In 1973, Diane moved the family from Texas back to her hometown of Lebanon, Ohio. Woody went to Lebanon High School and graduated in 1979. The move gave the boys stability and a community that knew their mother. This period formed much of Woody’s teenage life.
Faith, values, and home life
Woody has often said he was raised in a strict, religious home run by strong women—his mother and grandmothers. He credits Diane with teaching him compassion, care for nature, and a strong work ethic. In one interview, when asked what he learned most from his mother, Woody answered in one word: “Compassion.”
A later profile echoed that, noting Diane’s energy and focus on the world around her. These values appear again and again when Woody talks about his childhood and the people who shaped him.
Keeping a private life
Diane is not a celebrity and has always kept a low profile. Still, there were rare moments when she joined her son at public events. A well-known example is a photo from 1993 at a screening tied to Indecent Proposal, where she appeared with Woody and his Cheers co-star Ted Danson. It was a brief glimpse of a mother proud of her son, but it did not change her private way of life.
Does the “Oswald” name mean a link to Lee Harvey Oswald?
Because Diane’s maiden name is Oswald, people sometimes wonder if she is related to Lee Harvey Oswald, the man who assassinated President John F. Kennedy. There is no reliable evidence of a close family link. In fact, Lee Harvey Oswald’s mother was Marguerite Claverie, which shows a different family line. In short: the shared last name looks to be coincidental.
How she shaped Woody Harrelson
When you look at Woody’s career and public life, you can see Diane’s touch:
- Kindness and compassion. Woody links these directly to his mother and grandmothers.
- Respect for nature. Interviews note that she cared about the world and the environment, a value he shares.
- Resilience. The family faced public scandal and money problems, yet Diane kept steady work and a steady home.
A mother’s legacy
Diane Lou Oswald did not seek fame. Her legacy is the life she built for her sons: a safe home, a clear set of values, and the daily example of a parent who shows up. Woody’s success does not erase the hard years, but it does highlight how much a strong mother can do with limited means and a big heart.
Final thoughts
“A simple mother with a big heart” fits Diane Lou Oswald very well. She did not seek the spotlight. Instead, she poured her energy into work, faith, and family. Her story shows how a caring parent can guide a family through hard times and still raise children with kindness and purpose.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
1) Who is Diane Lou Oswald?
She is the mother of actor Woody Harrelson and also the mother of Brett and Jordan Harrelson.
2) Where is she from?
She is closely linked to Lebanon, Ohio, where she raised her sons and where Woody finished high school.
3) What work did she do?
She worked as a secretary and legal secretary, and her wages helped support the family.
4) What are her core values?
Sources and interviews point to faith, compassion, energy, and care for nature.
5) Is she related to Lee Harvey Oswald?
There is no reliable evidence of a close relation; Lee Harvey Oswald’s mother was Marguerite Claverie.
6) How many children does she have?
Three: Woody, Brett, and Jordan Harrelson.
7) Did she appear at public events?
Only rarely; one noted appearance was at a 1993 screening event with Woody and Ted Danson.
8) What did Woody say he learned most from her?
He said he learned “compassion.”
9) Why did the family move to Ohio?
For a fresh start and family support; Woody completed Lebanon High School there in 1979.
10) What is her lasting impact?
A strong, stable home and values that shaped Woody’s character and life.
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