Woody Harrelson recently shared a harrowing experience on the “Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend” podcast. The actor, known for his roles in “Cheers” and “White Men Can’t Jump,” revealed he was involved in a motorcycle accident on his way to the studio for an interview. Harrelson was accompanied by his longtime friend and “Cheers” co-star, Ted Danson.
Harrelson recounted the incident, explaining that he collided with a Tesla while attempting to pass it on the left. Unbeknownst to him, the Tesla was preparing to make a left turn. The collision threw Harrelson over his handlebars and onto the hood of the car. Fortunately, he was wearing a helmet, which prevented any head injuries.
“A tumble is a fair term. I did go over my handlebars,” Harrelson said on the podcast. “I was honestly and embarrassingly passing this Tesla on the left that I felt was moving a little slow and I didn’t realize he was moving slow because he was taking a left. I was on a motorcycle.”
Harrelson, who often uses a motorcycle to navigate Los Angeles, admitted that this incident made him reconsider his choice of transportation. “I always feel like the shortest distance between two points in L.A. is a motorcycle. But today it proved not to be so very fast in terms of transporting. … I always thought I would be ok. I felt there was some pain involved. I felt the pain but I never thought I’d be killed or anything or maimed.”
Despite the accident, Harrelson managed to make it to the podcast studio, albeit with a wound on his wrist. Ted Danson, who once played a doctor on the soap opera “The Doctors,” took it upon himself to patch up his friend. The interview started late due to the incident, but the camaraderie between the two friends was evident.
“We’re in the bathroom and I was like, ‘You played a doctor right?’ and Ted said, ‘I also played a lawyer so we can sue the guy,’” Harrelson recalled with a laugh. Danson cleaned and wrapped Harrelson’s wound, displaying a level of confidence and care that reassured his friend. “His confidence, his demeanor, everything about the way he does it makes you feel like you’re in the best hands. I never doubted him.”
Danson expressed his concern for Harrelson, saying, “I am sad. He could’ve been hurt badly. It does make me sad.”
The interview with Conan O’Brien was part of the promotion for Harrelson and Danson’s new podcast, “Where Everybody Knows Your Name with Ted Danson and Woody Harrelson (Sometimes).” The podcast, which launched on June 12, features the duo sitting down with special guests to delve into their lives beyond their career highlights. Guests include Eric Andre, Will Arnett, Kristen Bell, Laura Dern, Jane Fonda, Simu Liu, Megan Mullally, Conan O’Brien, Nick Offerman, Martin Short, and Mary Steenburgen.
Harrelson expressed his excitement about the podcast, saying, “The best part about doing this podcast is that it’s given me an excuse to hang out with Ted. Sure, we’ll talk with interesting guests, and sure we’ll share some laughs along the way, but the biggest win will be rekindling our romance, I mean friendship, after all this time. And I’m glad listeners will be able to join us for that.”
The podcast is produced by SiriusXM’s Team Coco, the Conan O’Brien-led podcast network and digital media company acquired in 2022. The show promises to offer a unique blend of humor, insight, and nostalgia, as Harrelson and Danson reconnect with each other and their guests.
Harrelson’s motorcycle accident serves as a reminder of the risks associated with riding, even for experienced riders. While he escaped with minor injuries, the incident has undoubtedly left an impact on him and his friends. As Harrelson continues to recover, fans can look forward to hearing more from him and Danson on their new podcast.
Watch Harrelson and Danson’s appearance on the “Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend” podcast in the video below.
