Harrelson began acting in school plays while attending high school. After studying theatre and English at Hanover College, Indiana (B.F.A., 1983), he moved to New York City. In 1985 he became an understudy for a production of Neil Simon's Biloxi Blues, but that same year he was cast in the role of Woody Boyd on Cheers.

Where did Woody Harrelson get his start?

After receiving degrees in theater arts and English from Hanover College, he had a brief stint in New York theater. He was soon cast as Woody on TV series Cheers (1982), which wound up being one of the most-popular TV shows ever and also earned Harrelson an Emmy for his performance in 1989.

Did Woody Harrelson start on Cheers?

1985–1993: Cheers and early film roles

He joined the cast in 1985 in season four, spending the final eight seasons (1985–1993) on the show.

How did Woody get on Cheers?

However, Woody is informed by Sam Malone that Coach had recently passed away and Woody is later given the role as a Cheers bartender; stepping in for Coach's role as the "simple-minded" barkeep.

In what episode of Cheers does Woody first appear?

Woody came to Cheers at the beginning of the fourth season of Cheers in 1985 in the episode "Birth, Death, Love and Rice". Woody appeared in 200 episodes of Cheers between 1985 and 1993.

Woody Harrelson on Landing the Role of Woody Boyd on “Cheers” (2012)

What character did Woody replace on Cheers?

When Colasanto died in 1985, his character was written out as deceased without cause of death stated. Woody Harrelson joined the cast as Woody Boyd, a pen pal of Coach's who would end up replacing him as a bartender at Cheers in the show's fourth season.

Why did Woody replace Coach on Cheers?

There, Sam revealed that unfortunately, Coach died recently without providing any further information. Due to the open bartender position at the bar, Woody was hired on the spot and became a regular cast member — a role he continued for the rest of the sitcom's run.

What happened to Woody at the end of Cheers?

In the final season, Frasier Crane orchestrated an experiment that went awry and resulted in Woody's election to the Boston City Council. He and Kelly were expecting their first child when Cheers ended.

How much did Woody make on Cheers?

Details on Woody Harrelson's income for any of his roles are sparse, but Celebrity Net Worth reported that “Cheers” co-star Ted Danson earned $500,000 per episode at his peak on Cheers. Assuming Harrelson earned the same, that half a million from 1986 equals $1,248,025 in 2021 dollars.

Who married Woody Cheers?

In 1989, Swanson joined the cast of Cheers in the recurring role of Kelly Gaines. Her character was a pretty, wealthy, naïve, Lutheran girl, who would eventually marry Woody Boyd, played by Woody Harrelson. She continued to appear in the show until the series ended in 1993.

Why did Ted Danson leave Cheers?

However, it was ultimately Danson's decision to leave the show which forced Cheers to end with his departure. Danson had felt that it was the right time to say goodbye to Sam and Cheers after eleven great seasons so he could pursue other acting opportunities.

Why didn't Woody Harrelson go to the Cheers reunion?

In a post-Emmys interview with The Hollywood Reporter, executive producer Jesse Collins explained Harrelson's absence. “Woody Harrelson couldn't make 'Cheers' because he's in a play ('Ulster American' in London),” Collins said. “So there were a few people where there were just logistical challenges.

Did Frasier start on Cheers?

Frasier Crane first appeared as a supporting character on the sitcom Cheers in 1984 before getting his own show. Cheers had two spin-offs before Frasier, including The Tortellis and Wings, which featured Frasier as a guest character.

How old was Woody Harrelson in Cheers?

Harrelson joined the cast of Cheers in its fourth season as a new bartender who was also named Woody. At the time, Danson recalled, he and the rest of the cast were eager to put the new guy in his place. "We were all, like, 37 when Woody, at age 25, joined us, and it was like, 'Okay, let's kick his ass,'" he joked.

Are Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson related?

Matthew McConaughey's mom and Woody Harrelson's dad

During a family vacation, she brought up a special connection she may have had with Harrelson's father, Charles Harrelson, bringing about the hypothesis that the two may be half-brothers.

What role did Woody Harrelson turn down?

The Emmy Award-winning Woody Harrelson, 61, has a film and TV career spanning 38 years. But he was one regret: turning down a role in Jerry Maguire.

Who got paid the most on Cheers?

According to reports , Ted Danson did indeed get paid more than Kirstie Alley for their roles on “ Cheers ” . Danson reportedly earned $ 500,000 per episode while Alley earned $ 400,000 per episode .

Does Ted Danson get royalties from Cheers?

Ted Danson (Cheers) – $5 Million

The show's main character, Sam Malone, was played by the still-beloved Ted Danson, who can be seen on other shows like The Good Place in the years since then. Thanks to the success of Cheers alone, Danson rakes in $5 million annually.

How old was Ted Danson while filming Cheers?

When the iconic sitcom started, Ted Danson was 35, Woody Harrelson was just 21 – and even though they'd aged a little by the later seasons, it's still baffling to see. People in the comments were SHOOK by it all, with Hogwartsherms writing: 'That Cheers picture is SHOCKING!

Did the Cheers cast get along?

There were rumors that the actors had friction on the set of the original show, but they were eventually able to patch things up, and proof of that is Long's multiple appearances in the original Frasier.

What happens to Sam Malone at the end of Cheers?

In the series finale, "One for the Road" (1993), Sam reunites with Diane after six years of separation. They try to rekindle their relationship, but just before they fly off together to California, Sam and Diane begin to have doubts about their future together, and they re-separate.

What happens to Sam after Cheers?

However, NBC executives praised test scenes between Ted Danson and Shelley Long, so the creators chose this pairing. Sam's character was changed into a former relief pitcher for the Boston Red Sox baseball team.

Did coach passed away during Cheers?

When Colasanto died of a heart attack before production wrapped that season, Coach was also put to rest. Realizing there was no better explanation for his absence than the truth, Sam quietly told Diane that “Coach died” in the season 4 premiere.

When did Shelley Long leave Cheers?

On December 15, 1986, Shelley Long decided to leave Cheers as the regular character Diane Chambers, even though she and Ted "[had] done some really terrific work at Cheers", for her movie career and family, while Ted Danson signed a contract for the next season (1987–1988), which led producers, the Charles brothers and ...