Woody Allen
Born Allen Stewart Konisberg, December 1, 1935
Woody Allen has devoted over thirty years of his life to writing and directing films. For many film lovers he is one of the greatest ever in the business, providing an insightful gift for comedy and human relations. Most of his films are based in his home city, New York and have featured many of the most respected names in cinema. Actors readily embrace the chance to have a part in Woody’s films, which often involve highly neurotic characters struggling with their lives and personal relationships.
Woody’s love for films began at a young age and when his mother took him to see Snow White at the cinema. Movie theatres became a regular part of his life. His talents and interests lie not only in movies. As a child Woody had a high IQ. He was a restless and somewhat difficult student. Instead of focussing on academics, Woody developed his talents in sports, magic and music. It was his talent for comedy that gave him a practical outlet for his intelligence and provided him with a good standard of living at the start of his career.
Woody was just sixteen when he started to send jokes out to New York newspapers (using the name Woody Allen for the first time). It was not long before his wit was recognised by Earl Wilson, a highly regarded columnist for the New York Post. Woody’s jokes would often appear in the column and Woody’s reputation was given the credibility and boost it required.
Astonishingly, Woody’s first attempts at motion picture writing were not well received. Woody enrolled as a student of motion picture production at the New York University in 1953. His papers were not a success and matched with poor attendance, Woody failed the semester.
However, Woody continued to write material. He was chosen by NBC to enter into a writer’s development program starting in 1955. Woody accredits much of his learning and development in comedy writer to the group leader Danny Simon.
In the years following, Woody enjoyed success writing sketches, providing comedians with material, and also writing for television, including the Chevy Show on NBC, Candid Camera and The Sid Caeser Show.
Woody began to become restless and took the brave decision to become a stand up comedian. The decision turned out to be a wise one as Woody went on to become a national success in the stand-up circuit and release three comedy albums. This period of his life spanned eight years, from 1960-1968. During this time he also started to write screenplays, his first being What’s New Pussycat. As with his later films, Woody has an acting part in the film alongside Peter Sellers, Peter O’Toole and Ursula Andress.
From this point in his life, his career has been dedicated to movie making. His films have included Annie Hall (1977), which starred Diane Keaton, a regular in his films, who also had a personal relationship with Allen. Another favourite is Hannah and Her Sisters (1986), starring Mia Farrow, another of his favourite actresses and now estranged wife.
Allen is keen to dismiss his films as a reflection of his own life and personality. Audiences are sometimes quick to make a comparison between the neurotic characters and Woody, partly for the fact that for much of his adult life he has had regular therapy with a shrink. His private life has been dragged through the courts, as Farrow accused Allen of molesting their seven year old daughter. The charges were dropped. Woody again caused controversy when he began a relationship with Soon Yi Previn, Mia’s adopted daughter from a previous marriage. Despite the turmoil, Allen claims to be happier than ever with Soon Yi, his now wife. Woody Allen continues to delight his audience with his intelligent, charming movies.
