Harrelson makes earthy appeal

Former ‘Cheers’ star stumps for his new ecofriendly flick

By Eric Bartels

The Portland Tribune, Nov 9, 2004, Updated Oct 30, 2009

Average Americans are at war with corporate profiteers who care little about working people and less about the environment, says actor and activist Woody Harrelson.

“The Beast” is what he calls them collectively: “all the giant industries that are in control of the body politic as well as what is going on socially Ñ timber, petroleum, nuclear, pesticides, mining,” he says.

Almost unnaturally mellow, Harrelson’s voice rises as he recites a list of ills that includes “fat” government subsidies, huge tax breaks and windfall profits. The companies, he says, are “raping Mother Earth on a daily basis.”

“I started looking at my part,” he says. “I look at all the things in my life. Am I using the cleanser that’s a thousand times more toxic than the stuff it’s supposed to be cleaning?”

Harrelson, the former “Cheers” star whose Hollywood career has almost taken a back seat to the causes he champions, was in town promoting the less high-profile of two upcoming films.

One is the putative blockbuster “After the Sunset,” which stars Pierce Brosnan and Salma Hayek. The other is Harrelson’s pride and joy.

In “Go Further,” a low-budget documentary that opens nationwide today, Harrelson and his entourage ramble amiably along the West Coast in a hand-painted, hemp-fueled bus, engaging citizens in discussions on limiting dependence on fossil fuels, protecting forests and proper diet.

“ ‘After the Sunset’ got $40 million P and A (publicity and advertising),” he jokes. “We got about $40.”

The actor and his crew tooled onto the campus of Portland State University recently for a rally promoting “Go Further” and the vision it offers.

“That’s the message that I care about,” he says.

Making of a tree-hugger

Harrelson, 43, says his interest in stewardship of the planet started early. “I remember when I was in the sixth grade, I wanted some extra points for this social studies class. I asked the guy if I could write a report. He said, ‘Don’t give me more than five pages; I won’t give you more than five extra points.’

“I wrote 50 pages. I didn’t care that I wasn’t getting any more points.”

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