Jordan Harrelson: Life, Career, and Family of Woody Harrelson’s Brother

March 5, 2026

Jordan Harrelson is an American actor and businessman. He is best known as the older brother of Hollywood star Woody Harrelson. Unlike his brother, who became famous worldwide through movies and TV, Jordan does not have that much media appearence. He has appeared only occasionally in entertainment projects. Still, many fans are curious about him because of his connection to the Harrelson family.

Jordan grew up in a challenging childhood. His family faced financial struggles. Their father was absent for long periods. Over time, the family became known because of their father’s criminal case and Woody’s success in the film industry.

Jordan Harrelson Profile Bio:

Detail	Information
Full Name	Jordan Harrelson
Date of Birth	April 13, 1960
Age	65 (as of 2026)
Birthplace	Midland, Texas, United States
Nationality	American
Profession	Actor, Businessman
Known For	Older brother of Woody Harrelson
Parents	Charles Harrelson (father), Diane Lou Oswald (mother)
Siblings	Woody Harrelson, Brett Harrelson
Marital Status	Divorced (formerly married to Cathryn Lyn Harrelson)
Children	Bethany Lyn Harrelson, Hannah Cathryn Harrelson, Samuel Jordan Harrelson
Residence	Midland, Texas, United States
Net Worth	Estimated $1–3 million
Education	Attended local schools in Midland, Texas / Lebanon, Ohio
Career Highlights	Minor acting roles including Edtv, participated in podcast Son of a Hitman, worked as an insurance broker and businessman
Notable Facts	Eldest Harrelson sibling, family affected by father Charles Harrelson’s criminal history, maintains close ties with brothers

Who Is Jordan Harrelson?

Jordan Harrelson is an American actor and businessman born in Midland, Texas. He is best known as the older brother of actor Woody Harrelson and the sibling of actor Brett Harrelson. Jordan became known publicly due to his connection to the Harrelson family and his brief appearances in film and media projects.

He previously worked as an insurance broker earlier in his career.

Early Life and Birth and Age

Jordan Harrelson was born on April 13, 1960, in Midland, Texas, United States. He is the eldest of three brothers in the Harrelson family. He is 65 years old in 2026.

Midland is a city in West Texas that became known for its oil industry and its strong regional culture. Jordan spent his early childhood there before the family relocated later in his youth.

Growing up in Texas shaped much of his early life. The Harrelson family experienced financial hardship during Jordan’s childhood, and his upbringing was far from the typical life associated with Hollywood families.

Despite these challenges, Jordan grew up in a close relationship with his siblings, especially his younger brother Woody, who later became a major figure in the film industry.

Parents and Family Background

Jordan Harrelson was born to Charles Voyde Harrelson and Diane Lou Oswald. His family history later became widely known due to the criminal activities of his father.

His mother, Diane Lou Oswald, worked as a legal secretary. She raised her three sons largely on her own after their father was absent for much of their childhood.

His father, Charles Harrelson, became a controversial figure in American criminal history. Charles was a contract killer who was eventually convicted for the 1979 assassination of federal judge John H. Wood Jr. In 1981, he was sentenced to two life terms in prison.

The case received national attention, and it deeply affected the Harrelson family. During their childhood, the brothers had limited contact with their father.

Charles Harrelson died in prison in 2007.

This complicated family background played a major role in shaping the lives of Jordan and his brothers. Despite the challenges, their mother worked to support and raise the family.

Ted Danson, Woody Harrelson, and Harrelson's mother, Diane — Ted Danson, Woody Harrelson, and Harrelson’s mother, Diane Lou Oswald . Image Source PEOPLE Magazine

Moving to Ohio and Childhood Years

During the early 1970s, Jordan Harrelson and his family moved from Texas to Lebanon, Ohio. This move was connected to his mother’s roots, as Lebanon was her hometown.

Lebanon is a small city located near Cincinnati. The change in environment provided a different lifestyle compared with their earlier years in Texas.

Jordan spent much of his youth there with his brothers, growing up in a modest household supported primarily by their mother’s income.

The family’s financial situation was difficult at times, but their upbringing emphasized strong family bonds. These experiences shaped the outlook and personalities of the Harrelson brothers.

It is believed that Jordan attended Lebanon High School, the same school where his younger brother Woody later graduated.

The Harrelson Siblings

Jordan Harrelson is the oldest of three brothers. The Harrelson siblings include:

Jordan Harrelson
Brett Harrelson
Woody Harrelson

The brothers share a strong connection despite their different life paths.

Woody Harrelson

The most famous member of the family is Woody Harrelson, who became a major actor in television and film. Woody first gained widespread recognition for playing Woody Boyd on the television sitcom Cheers.

Over the years he has appeared in numerous films and received multiple award nominations, including several Academy Award nominations.

Brett Harrelson

Another brother, Brett Harrelson, also pursued acting. Brett appeared in films such as The People vs. Larry Flynt and Kingpin. He has also been involved in business ventures and media projects.

Although Jordan did not pursue acting as extensively as his brothers, he has remained connected to the family and has occasionally appeared in projects related to them.

Relationship Among the Harrelson Brothers

The Harrelson brothers share a unique bond shaped by their childhood experiences. Growing up with financial difficulties and without a consistent father figure created a strong sense of family unity.

Even after Woody became a successful actor, the brothers maintained close connections.

Their relationship has been mentioned in interviews and media stories about the Harrelson family. Despite differences in career paths, they have supported each other over the years.

Jordan, as the oldest brother, played an important role in the family during their early years.

Acting Career and Media Appearances

Jordan Harrelson has a small number of acting credits.

One of his known appearances was in the 1999 film Edtv. The movie starred his brother Woody Harrelson and featured a story about a man whose life becomes the subject of a television reality show.

Jordan’s participation in the project was a minor role, but it remains one of his connections to the film industry.

He also appeared in the podcast documentary series Son of a Hitman, released in 2020. The series explored the story of Charles Harrelson and examined the impact of his crimes on the family.

In the podcast, Jordan shared insights into his father’s life and the complicated history of the Harrelson family.

Although these appearances brought attention to Jordan, they represent only a small part of his life.

Professional Life Outside Entertainment

Unlike his brothers, Jordan Harrelson has spent much of his professional life outside Hollywood.

Earlier in his career he worked as an insurance broker in Charlotte, North Carolina.

This profession allowed him to build a career in business rather than entertainment.

Later reports suggest that Jordan returned to his hometown of Midland, Texas, where he has lived with his family.

Life in Midland, Texas

Jordan Harrelson eventually settled in Midland, Texas, the same city where he was born.

Among the three Harrelson brothers, he is the only one who currently lives there. Midland remains an important part of his identity and family history.

The Story of Charles Harrelson

A major part of the Harrelson family history involves their father, Charles Harrelson.

Charles became infamous after being convicted of the assassination of federal judge John H. Wood Jr. in 1979.

The case attracted national attention because it involved a murder-for-hire scheme targeting a federal official.

Charles Harrelson was sentenced to two life terms in prison.

For Jordan and his brothers, the situation was extremely difficult. They had little contact with their father during childhood, and their lives were largely shaped by their mother’s efforts to support them.

Over time the brothers reconnected with their father while he was incarcerated, visiting him and communicating with him in prison.

Charles Harrelson remained imprisoned until his death in 2007.

Different Views About Their Father

The Harrelson brothers have expressed different perspectives about their father’s life and criminal conviction.

Some family members have suggested that the story surrounding his conviction is more complicated than widely reported.

For Jordan, the subject of his father has been part of public discussions, especially during interviews and documentary projects about the Harrelson family.

The “Son of a Hitman” Podcast

One of the most notable projects connected to Jordan Harrelson is the podcast documentary Son of a Hitman.

The series explored the life and crimes of Charles Harrelson and included interviews with members of the family.

Jordan participated in the podcast and provided personal perspectives on his father and the family’s experiences.

The podcast examined the history of the case, the investigation, and the long-term impact on the Harrelson family.

It also provided a rare opportunity for Jordan to speak publicly about the subject.

Extended Family and Grandparents

Jordan Harrelson comes from a family with deep roots in Texas and the American South. On his mother’s side, his grandparents were Kenneth Oswald and Mary Lou Oswald.

On his father’s side, his grandparents were Voyde Harrelson and Alma Lee Sparks. These family connections form part of the broader Harrelson family history.

The Harrelson Family Legacy

Today, the Harrelson name is widely recognized in entertainment due to the career of Woody Harrelson.

However, the family’s story includes much more than Hollywood success.

It includes:

A challenging childhood
A controversial criminal case involving their father
Strong family relationships among the brothers

Marriage and Childrens

Jordan Harrelson was married to Cathryn Lyn Harrelson for over two decades. They tied the knot around 1985 in his hometown of Midland, Texas. During their marriage, the couple had three children: Bethany Lyn, Hannah Cathryn, and Samuel Jordan.

Their life together was largely private, away from the media and Hollywood attention.

The marriage lasted until 2006, when they divorced. Despite the separation, Jordan has maintained a focus on his family and personal life, prioritizing his children and his roots in Midland.

Connection to Woody Harrelson’s Career

Although Jordan did not pursue the same acting path as Woody Harrelson, he has occasionally appeared in projects connected to his brother.

Woody’s career includes roles in many major films and television shows and has earned him significant recognition in Hollywood.

Jordan’s appearances in media related to the Harrelson family often occur when stories about Woody or their father are discussed.

This connection keeps Jordan’s name present in public conversations about the Harrelson family.

Net worth

Jordan Harrelson’s exact net worth is not publicly known. Unlike his brother Woody, who has built a fortune in Hollywood, Jordan has lived mostly outside the entertainment industry.

He has worked in business and held minor acting roles. Based on his career and lifestyle, his net worth is estimated to be in the $1 million and $3 million, though no official figure has been confirmed.

FAQs

Who is Jordan Harrelson?

Jordan Harrelson is an American actor and businessman who is best known as the older brother of actor Woody Harrelson.

When was Jordan Harrelson born?

He was born on April 13, 1960, in Midland, Texas.

Who are Jordan Harrelson’s siblings?

His brothers are Woody Harrelson and Brett Harrelson.

Are Jordan Harrelson and Woody Harrelson twins?

No, Jordan Harrelson and Woody Harrelson are not twins. Jordan is the older brother, born on April 13, 1960, while Woody was born later on July 23, 1961. They are siblings but not twins.