Woody Allen was born Allen Konigsberg on November 30, 1935, in The Bronx, New York, to Martin Konigsberg and Nettie Konigsberg. He has a younger sister, Letty Aronson. As a young boy, he developed a fascination with magic tricks and playing the clarinet, two hobbies that have endured throughout his life.
At the age of 15, Allen began his career in show business by writing jokes for a local paper, earning $200 a week. He later transitioned to writing jokes for talk shows but felt his material was being wasted. Convinced by his agents, Charles Joffe and Jack Rollins, to pursue stand-up comedy, Allen initially performed with trepidation, covering his ears when the audience applauded his jokes. However, he eventually found success and became a renowned stand-up comedian.
In 1965, Allen was approached to write a script for Warren Beatty's film, What's New Pussycat. Although initially intended to have a moderate role, Allen took on more significant responsibilities, rewriting his own lines and giving himself more screen time. Beatty ultimately quit the project, and Peter Sellers replaced him, demanding more lines and screen time.
This experience taught Allen the importance of having complete creative control over his projects. His directorial debut, What's Up, Tiger Lily?, was a Japanese spy film that he reworked with his own comedic dialogue. His real directorial debut came with the mockumentary Take the Money and Run in 1969. Since then, Allen has written, directed, and starred in approximately one film per year, while also writing numerous plays and books of comedy.
Allen is best known for his romantic comedies, Annie Hall and Manhattan, but his filmography showcases a range of styles and genres. He has transitioned from his early, humorous films like Bananas, Love and Death, and Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex * But Were Afraid to Ask to his more romantic and dramatic works, such as Annie Hall, Manhattan, and Hannah and Her Sisters. His films have also explored darker themes, as seen in Stardust Memories and Interiors, and more recent works, including Crimes and Misdemeanors, Husbands and Wives, Mighty Aphrodite, Celebrity, Deconstructing Harry, and Vicky Cristina Barcelona.
Throughout his career, Allen has demonstrated his mastery of filmmaking and his unique perspective on art. Despite the evolution of his style and themes, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest filmmakers of our time.
