8 Interesting Facts About Woody Allen
80s baby Woody Allen is a man of many talents. From writing, directing, and producing movies with his brother to winning an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay in 1977, he’s made a name for himself in the world of cinema. Here are some interesting facts about this well-known Hollywood icon.
Woody Allen’s Childhood And Early Life
Woody Allen was born in 1935 in Brooklyn, New York. His father was a garment worker and his mother was a waitress. In 1937, his family moved to the Bronx where he spent most of his childhood. After graduating from high school in 1954, Allen studied writing at Columbia University and began his film career as a screenwriter for Roger Corman films. He eventually wrote and directed movies of his own and won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay in 1977.
The Brothers Allen
Woody and his brother, the late Allan Konigsberg, wrote and produced a number of films together. In fact, the duo wrote and directed six films between 1969-1977.
One of Allen’s most popular films is Annie Hall. The 1977 film grossed $25 million in its first three days of release in theaters. It was also nominated for seven Oscars: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Cinematography, and Best Art Direction.
The pair also made a few sequels to their films: Bananas (1971), Sleeper (1973), and Stardust Memories (1980). All three films were directed by Allen.
However, Allen’s brother died unexpectedly in February 1977 at the age of forty-three.
Movies And Awards
Woody Allen wrote and directed more than fifty-five films that have been nominated for or won awards.
In the 1980s, he was commissioned by ABC to produce a television special of one of his short stories, “The Purple Rose of Cairo.” In 1993, he became the first American filmmaker to be awarded the Order of Merit, as well as being presented with France’s highest civilian award—the Legion d’Honneur.
In 2003, Allen was awarded an honorary Academy Award for lifetime achievement along with his brother Robert.
Books and Plays
Woody Allen’s first published work was in 1956 in a journal at Princeton University. His only two books are “Without Feathers” and “Anhedonia.” In playwriting, he’s written seven plays, including his most famous, “Play It Again, Sam.” He won a Tony Award for Best Original Screenplay in 1977 for Annie Hall.
Woody Allen’s Personal Life
Woody Allen is one of the most prolific filmmakers in Hollywood. Throughout his career, he’s written, directed, and produced a number of hits including Annie Hall, Manhattan, Hannah, and Her Sisters, Annie Hall, and Midnight in Paris.
Allen was married to actress Mia Farrow from 1977-1992 and then again from 1997-2002. They are the parents of three children together: Moses (b. 1985), Dylan (b. 1987), and Ronan (b. 1988).
In 1993 Allen married Soon-Yi Previn who is 33 years his junior and they have one adopted daughter named Bechet (b. 1995).
He keeps his personal life very private for fear of judgment by the public but it seems that he has been attracted to women not much older than him. In 2013 he had a relationship with a woman who was 18 years his junior but ended it after 9 months with no explanation given to anyone except her family members.
