Woody Harrelson Net Worth: Career Earnings, Real Estate, and Business Ventures

Woody Harrelson has accumulated a net worth of $70 million through a career spanning television, film, and entrepreneurial ventures. The American actor and activist gained national recognition as Woody Boyd on NBC’s sitcom Cheers (1985-1993), earning a Primetime Emmy Award in 1989. His wealth stems from consistent work in Hollywood blockbusters, strategic real estate investments, and business ownership in the cannabis industry.

Early Life and Career Breakthrough

Woodrow Tracy Harrelson was born on July 23, 1961, in Midland, Texas. His father, Charles Harrelson, was a convicted hitman who received a life sentence for the 1979 assassination of federal judge John H. Wood Jr. His mother, Diane, worked as a secretary and raised Woody and his two siblings—Jordan and Brett—in Lebanon, Ohio, after divorcing Charles in 1964.

Harrelson graduated from Lebanon High School in 1979 and worked at Kings Island amusement park before attending Hanover College in Indiana. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in theater and English in 1983, joined the Sigma Chi fraternity, and moved to New York City to pursue acting. He secured an understudy role in the Neil Simon play Biloxi Blues before landing his television breakthrough.

His career took off in 1985 when he joined Cheers as a replacement for Nicholas Colasanto, who had played Coach Ernie Pantusso before his death. Harrelson appeared in 196 of the show’s 275 episodes across eight seasons. While exact salary figures remain private, industry reports suggest he earned between $40,000 and $100,000 per episode during the later seasons—a substantial income that established his financial foundation.

Film Career and Major Earnings

After Cheers ended in 1993, Harrelson transitioned successfully to film. His breakout movie role came in White Men Cannot Jump (1992) alongside Wesley Snipes, directed by Ron Shelton. He received his first Academy Award nomination for portraying controversial Hustler magazine publisher Larry Flynt in The People vs. Larry Flynt (1996), which also earned him a Golden Globe nomination.

His notable film appearances include Mickey Knox in Natural Born Killers (1994), Roy Munson in Kingpin (1996), and Tallahassee in Zombieland (2009) and its 2019 sequel. He appeared in critically acclaimed films such as No Country for Old Men (2007), which won the Academy Award for Best Picture.

The Hunger Games franchise (2012-2015) significantly boosted his earnings. He portrayed Haymitch Abernathy across four films, with reports suggesting he earned approximately $5 million for the first installment and between $10 and $ 15 million per film for subsequent entries. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire alone grossed $865 million worldwide, making it his highest-grossing film.

In 2014, Harrelson starred as Detective Marty Hart in HBO’s True Detective alongside Matthew McConaughey, serving as both lead actor and executive producer. Industry sources indicate both actors earned approximately $200,000 per episode for the eight-episode season, totaling around $880,000 plus additional executive producer fees.

Recent projects include Venom: Let There Be Carnage (2021), Triangle of Sadness (2022), White House Plumbers (2023), and Now You See Me: Now You Don’t (2025).

Woody Harrelson Net Worth Breakdown

Harrelson’s $70 million net worth reflects income diversification across multiple revenue streams:

His earnings history shows steady financial growth:

• 1990s: Built initial wealth through Cheers salary and early film roles, reaching approximately $10 million by decade’s end.
• 2000s: Academy Award nominations for The People vs. Larry Flynt and The Messenger led to higher-paying dramatic roles, increasing net worth to around $30 million.
• 2010s: The Hunger Games franchise and True Detective significantly elevated earnings, bringing net worth to approximately $50 million.
• 2020s: Continued film work and business investments maintain the current estimated net worth of $70 million.

Real Estate Portfolio

Beverly Hills Property

In 1989, during the peak of Cheers, Harrelson purchased a 3,200-square-foot Mediterranean mansion in Beverly Hills for $1.8 million on 0.56 acres. The property featured three bedrooms, four bathrooms, manicured gardens, a screening room, a tennis court, and a wine cellar. He later installed solar panels and energy-efficient systems, reflecting his environmental values. In 2017, he sold the eco-upgraded estate for $11 million—demonstrating how sustainable improvements can significantly increase property value—before relocating full-time to Hawaii.

Maui, Hawaii Estate

Harrelson’s primary residence is an 8.5-acre oceanfront estate in Huelo on Maui’s north shore. He began acquiring the property in 1999, purchasing the initial parcel for $1.95 million, then gradually expanding through multiple transactions. The estate now consists of approximately 4,500 square feet of main living space plus a 1,700-square-foot guesthouse.

Located above Hamoa Beach—recognized as one of the world’s best beaches—the property is Hawaii’s largest self-sufficient residence. The off-grid compound features:

• High-efficiency solar system generating 20% more power than needed
• 20,000-gallon rainwater collection and filtration system
• Organic gardens providing 70% of household food
• Natural swimming pool (700 square feet) using chemical-free filtration
• Koi pond and lush tropical landscaping
• Reclaimed wood fixtures from Montana
• Cork and hemp building materials
• Observation deck with 180-degree coastline views

Current estimates value the Maui estate between $7.5 million and $13.5 million. Harrelson lives there with his wife, Laura Louie—co-founder of the organic food delivery service Yoganics—and their three daughters. The couple met in 1987 when Louie worked as Harrelson’s personal assistant.

Business Ventures

The Woods WeHo

In May 2022, Harrelson co-founded The Woods, a cannabis dispensary and consumption lounge in West Hollywood, California. Located at 8271 Santa Monica Boulevard, the 8,000-square-foot establishment operates as both a retail dispensary and social consumption space.

His partners include comedian Bill Maher, tennis legend John McEnroe, Erba Markets co-founders Devon Wheeler and Jay Handal, interior designer Thomas Schoos, and Schoos Design CEO Michael Berman. The dispensary emphasizes organic, sun-grown cannabis from Northern California legacy farmers, aligning with Harrelson’s environmental advocacy.

The establishment features:

• Curated retail space with premium cannabis products
• Consumption lounge with garden, koi pond, and bar service
• Free delivery service
• Emphasis on sustainable, outdoor-grown California cannabis

West Hollywood Mayor Lauren Meister attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Harrelson described the opening as “the greatest day I’ve had in a long time,” noting his decades-long advocacy for cannabis legalization since his 1996 arrest for symbolically planting hemp seeds in Kentucky.

Other Investments

Harrelson has invested in eco-friendly businesses, including:

• Hemp-based paper company Prairie Pulp and Paper
• Plant-based food companies
• In 2014, he purchased The Inn at the Black Olive, a boutique hotel in Baltimore, for $4.5 million

Awards and Recognition

Harrelson has received three Academy Award nominations:

• Best Actor for The People vs. Larry Flynt (1997)
• Best Supporting Actor for The Messenger (2010)
• Best Supporting Actor for Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2018)

Additional accolades include:

• Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for Cheers (1989)
• Two Screen Actors Guild Awards for No Country for Old Men and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
• Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Miniseries for Game Change (2012)
• Independent Spirit Award for The Messenger (2009)
• Emerald Cup Lifetime Achievement Award (2022) for cannabis advocacy
• Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Hanover College (2014)

He hosted Saturday Night Live four times (1989, 1992, 2014, 2019) and portrayed Joe Biden in 2019 episodes.

Lifestyle and Environmental Activism

Despite his wealth, Harrelson maintains a relatively modest lifestyle centered on environmental sustainability. He follows a raw vegan diet and has advocated for cannabis legalization, hemp industry development, and renewable energy for decades.

In 2003, he documented his Simple Organic Living Tour in the film Go Further, traveling via hemp-oil-fueled bus to promote sustainable living. He co-founded Voice Yourself, an organization encouraging environmental protest and pollution awareness.

Harrelson serves on the board of NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws) and narrated the documentary Kiss the Ground about regenerative agriculture. His 80-acre former cattle ranch in Hawaii was converted into an organic farm, demonstrating his commitment to sustainable food production.

PETA named him Sexiest Vegetarian in 2012. He is an avid chess fan and attended the World Chess Championship in 2016 and 2018, making ceremonial first moves.

Comparison to Industry Peers

Among Cheers cast members, Harrelson’s $70 million net worth positions him third behind Ted Danson and Kelsey Grammer (both at $80 million). His wealth reflects strategic career choices, consistent work across four decades, and investments aligned with personal values rather than the pursuit of maximum earnings.

His financial approach differs from many Hollywood contemporaries, prioritizing environmental impact and sustainable living over luxury displays. He avoids private jets and superyachts, instead investing in off-grid properties and eco-friendly businesses.

Conclusion

Woody Harrelson’s net worth stands as a testament to his hard work and talent throughout the years. From humble beginnings to becoming one of Hollywood’s most respected actors, he has built an impressive career filled with diverse roles and significant achievements. His estimated net worth of $70 million reflects not just what he’s earned but also how he’s invested wisely in various ventures. With properties like his Malibu home adding value to his assets, it’s clear that Woody knows how to manage both fame and fortune effectively. As we look forward to more projects from him, it’s exciting to see what this talented actor will do next while continuing to advocate for causes close to his heart.