Woody Harrelson - Harrelson Owes Keanu Reeves For His Movie Career

WOODY HARRELSON feared he'd never land another acting role after playing bartender WOODY BOYD in sitcom CHEERS for eight years - and he credits KEANU REEVES with helping him land his big screen break.

Harrelson made his name playing a simpleton bartender in the hit comedy, but when the show ended he admits he was left in the showbiz wilderness.

He eventually landed the lead role playing a basketball hustler in 1992 movie White Men Can't Jump, after Reeves was ruled out - because he lacked the sporting skills required.

And Harrelson is eternally grateful. He tells Interview magazine, "I was on Cheers for eight years and I couldn't get another job. I thought, 'I'm going to be Woody Boyd forever, which is not bad, but I really thought I was capable of more.

"I probably would've just been Woody Boyd but for the fact that Keanu Reeves didn't play great basketball."