Some know Woody Harrelson for his Emmy Award-winning work behind the bar in “Cheers,” the long-running sitcom set in a Boston watering hole. Others may be fans of his performances in numerous films, including his Oscar-nominated appearances in “The People vs. Larry Flynt,” “The Messenger” and “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.”
And let’s not forget Harrelson’s long-standing cannabis advocacy and his desire to see pot decriminalized on the federal level and no longer classified with substances like heroin and LSD as a Schedule 1 drug.
Finally, Harrelson has become an entrepreneur. He helped found the Woods, a cannabis dispensary in California. And now, together with wellness guru Amy Holmwood, he’s behind Holistic Spirits Co., a booze brand that offers Origen, a vodka infused with natural ingredients, and Harmony, a gin. The company describes its goal as combining “science, nature and artisanal distillation to create innovative spirits that elevate the palate and the planet.” Harrelson suggests that these are cleaner sips less likely to leave you with a hangover.
MarketWatch recently spoke with the 63-year-old Texas native about his life and career, as well as his new foray into the spirits world. Naturally, we also got his views on some money-related matters. The conversation has been edited for length and clarity.
MarketWatch: You’re associated with the world of cannabis, so what got you interested in working with a spirits company?
Harrelson: Amy Holmwood gave us a bottle of Origen to try. And I got to say, the wife and I, we drank half a bottle and then woke up the next day and felt nothing. And I was like, “Whoa!” I was surprised. I liked the idea that they had artichoke leaves, elderberry, the green tea, the muscadine [grapes]. … To have these superfoods in it, I just found that more up my alley.
MarketWatch: Do you have a go-to cocktail you make with Origen?
Harrelson: I have it with watermelon juice and some spice, like some hot-pepper spice, and a little bit of lime. It’s great. If I ever have spirits, I always like to have it with some kind of fresh-squeezed juice. Makes me feel, like, healthier [laughs].
MarketWatch: You sound like a mixologist. Because of your work on “Cheers,” do you know your way around a bar?
Harrelson: I’m not a mixologist at all. I don’t know s—. It’s embarrassing how little I know. I actually went to mixology school for “Cheers” and I lasted like one session or something. I felt like such a fraud in there.
MarketWatch: Back to cannabis — do you ever think we’ll see the day when it’s legalized on the federal level?
Harrelson: What I think would be more important is for it to be federally decriminalized. Because when you say it’s legal, that still gives the government a big hand in what you’re doing. It’s legal in the state of California, but they’re just all up in your business.
Woody Harrelson, at left, in his days behind the bar on “Cheers.” - ?NBC/Courtesy Everett Collection
MarketWatch: You’re the rare actor who can do comedy as well as drama. How did you develop a talent for both?
Harrelson: When I was in school, I was really quite shy. But when the teachers would say things, I would, in my mind, think of these funny responses, but I wouldn’t say them out loud because I was too shy. But one day, I just couldn’t help it, and I blurted out my little bon mot. There seemed like a two- or three-second delay and then the whole class burst out laughing. And so I just developed this comedic thing. And then I eventually got into a play and such. With the dramatic [roles], I don’t mind it if it’s a good movie. But I prefer comedy for sure.
MarketWatch: How do you pick your parts?
Harrelson: Honestly, it’s just whatever is the best script, the [best] story — those are the things that appeal to me. And I’ve definitely made some missteps, but I feel like now at this stage of my life, I’m very cautious. Like I only want to do quality material. I mean, you always want that, but I really want to be extra cautious about it. I want people to feel like if they go see it, it’s going to be good.
MarketWatch: You grew up under fairly modest circumstances, if I understand correctly. What was that like?
Harrelson: That’s putting it euphemistically. I mean, I wasn’t dirt poor or anything, but I was raised mostly by our mother because our father was gone. She was a legal secretary and she didn’t make much, so she was always quite concerned about money. And I think it made us concerned, too.
MarketWatch: What do you hate spending money on today?
Harrelson: I can’t think off the top of my head, but just buying like an expensive shirt or something. I would be like, “Whoa, I don’t know, man.” Things you think I wouldn’t think twice about. But mostly I steal my clothes from the wardrobe [on sets]. Like, “I love this shirt. This is great. I’m gonna take it.” That kind of thing. [Note: Harrelson is hardly alone in this regard — and it’s not quite “stealing” in the literal sense. Many actors are known to take home their costumes after a film or television show has wrapped up production.]
MarketWatch: What’s the best piece of financial advice you ever got?
Harrelson: Whatever it was, I don’t think I heeded it. I’m terrible with this kind of thing.
MarketWatch: Are there any big money mistakes you’ve made?
Harrelson: Oh, I’ll tell you one. This guy came up to the house and he had this really fancy, superfast car. Almost like a race car. Not an actual race car, but it was like a Ferrari- type car and it was super fast. We took a ride in it. He’s like, “You want to invest [in the company]?” And I’m like, “Nah, I don’t think so.”
MarketWatch: So what was the company?
Harrelson: Tesla TSLA. [Laughs.] It was one of his [Elon Musk’s] people. That’s one regret. I mean, I have many. In the end, everything’s okay.
MarketWatch: Do you think you’ll ever retire?
Harrelson: No, no. I love what I do. I don’t ever want to stop doing it.
MarketWatch: What’s a job you’d do even if you didn’t get paid for it?
Harrelson: Probably this job. I did a play recently. I lost money [doing it]! You go out after the performance and have a little food and drink at the restaurant downstairs and, in the end, you’re way in debt from doing that. [But] I just love it. I really do love it.