Diane Lou Oswald is the mother of actor Woody Harrelson and his brothers, Jordan and Brett. A legal secretary, she supported her children through a childhood shaped by their father’s absence, financial pressure, and a strong Presbyterian upbringing. Woody’s memories of her describe both the practical work of keeping a household running and the values she taught through everyday life. His accounts also offer a warmer, sometimes funny picture of their relationship, from her pride in his childhood friendships to her excitement about meeting Robert Redford. Together, those recollections give her story a distinctly personal perspective.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Diane Harrelson |
| Occupation | Legal secretary |
| Children | Jordan, Woody, and Brett Harrelson |
| Former husband | Charles Voyde Harrelson |
| Hometown | Lebanon, Ohio |
| Religious background | Presbyterian |
Marriage to Charles Harrelson
The Texas State Historical Association records that Diane Lou Oswald married Charles Voyde Harrelson on February 26, 1958, in Pasadena, Texas. They had three sons before divorcing in 1964.
Charles’s criminal history became a major part of the family’s story. He was convicted of armed robbery in 1960 and later received murder convictions, including one for the 1979 assassination of federal judge John H. Wood Jr. He died in prison in 2007.
Those events explain the difficult circumstances surrounding the children’s upbringing. Diane carried the daily responsibility of raising them while Charles was frequently absent.
How She Spoke About Their Father
Woody has credited his mother with allowing her children to form their own opinions about Charles. In a 2012 interview, he recalled that she did not speak negatively about their father, despite having reasons to resent him.
That distinction mattered when Woody developed a relationship with Charles as an adult. His later contact with his father existed alongside his recognition that Diane had done the work of bringing him up.
Supporting Three Children as a Legal Secretary
Diane worked as a legal secretary while raising her sons. The family relied on her earnings, and money was tight.
Speaking to the Financial Times in 2018, Woody remembered that the family was poor but always had food. He acknowledged the demands of supporting three children on a secretary’s income and credited his mother with looking after them.
His description is specific about what she provided: food, care, and the continuity of a working household. Financial hardship was part of his childhood, but his recollection of it also contains a clear sense of being cared for.
Returning to Lebanon, Ohio
Diane moved her sons to her hometown of Lebanon, Ohio. An Esquire profile places the move when Woody was 12.
For Woody, the change brought a better experience at school. He recalled his mother telling him that a teacher had described him as popular with the other children. He did not fully understand what that meant, but he understood that she was proud.
Diane also had support from her mother and grandmother. Woody has spoken warmly about being raised by these three generations of women, remembering their kindness and their different personalities.
Faith Was Part of Everyday Family Life
Diane raised her sons in a Presbyterian household. Woody recalled regular church attendance and Bible study, including gatherings at home. At 17, he delivered a short sermon about faith.
His religious upbringing continued into his education. He attended Hanover College in Indiana, where he received a Presbyterian scholarship before graduating in 1983 with a degree in English and theatrical arts.
Woody’s beliefs later changed. In his 2012 GQ interview, he described himself as spiritual rather than Christian, while remembering his mother as deeply religious.
What Woody Says He Learned From Her
Asked by GQ what his mother had taught him, Woody answered, “Compassion.” He also credited her with encouraging his concern for nature and his work ethic.
In a separate interview in 2018, he praised her example of treating people well and behaving honorably. His comments connect her influence to conduct rather than career ambition: how to work, how to care, and how to treat another person.
A Memorable Visit to the Indecent Proposal Set
One of Woody’s lighter stories about Diane involves the 1993 film Indecent Proposal, which starred Robert Redford and Demi Moore.
Woody told Yahoo Entertainment that his mother rarely visited his film sets. Redford’s presence changed that. Remembering her excitement, he described her as being like a schoolgirl meeting the star.
Diane also accompanied Woody to a VIP screening of Indecent Proposal in April 1993. These appearances capture a different side of their relationship: a mother enjoying her son’s working life and the chance to meet someone she admired.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are Diane Lou Oswald’s children?
Her three sons are Jordan Harrelson, Woodrow Tracy Harrelson—known professionally as Woody—and Brett Harrelson.
Is Brett Harrelson also an actor?
Yes. Brett pursued acting and appeared alongside Woody in The People vs. Larry Flynt. He has also worked as a professional motorcycle racer.
Is Diane Lou Oswald related to Lee Harvey Oswald?
No family relationship has been established in the sources used for this profile. Esquire specifically described her as having no known relation to Lee Harvey Oswald.
Did Woody Harrelson consider becoming a minister?
Yes. Woody has said he considered ministry before pursuing acting. Church attendance, Bible study, and religious education were significant parts of his early life.
Does Diane have grandchildren through Woody?
Yes. Woody has three daughters with Laura Louie: Deni, Zoe, and Makani.
Conclusion
Diane Lou Oswald’s story comes into focus through her working life, her family responsibilities, and her son’s recollections. Woody’s accounts preserve concrete memories of her care: keeping food on the table, taking pride in his progress, and teaching compassion through her own example.
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