WOODY ALLEN

Date of Birth: December 1, 1935

Born Allen Stewart Konigsberg in Brooklyn, New York, this multi-talented actor, director, writer, and musician began his career as a comedian and playwright. He was a television gag writer before writing and starring in his first feature film, What's New, Pussycat? Take the Money and Run (1969) marked Allen's directorial debut in a hilarious parody of crime films and documentaries.

Allen's films are characterized by their neurotic, urban-Jewish shtick and can be dated by the female lead -- who is generally his current lover of choice. Past femmes include Louise Lasser, Diane Keaton and Mia Farrow.

Reclusive and anti-Hollywood, Allen's critical moment in the spotlight was not for his work as a filmmaker, but for his affair with Farrow's (college-age) adopted daughter, Soon-Yi Previn. In 1992, Allen filed for custody of their three children and later made shocking headlines when Farrow accused him of molesting their adopted daughter Dylan. While experts found no evidence to substantiate these allegations, Allen's reputation had already been trashed in the tabloids. After a lengthy and very public court battle, Allen lost custody of the three children. He married Soon-Yi in December 1997 and the two now have two children together.

"If you're an entertainer," Allen says, "your private life is public, that's what happens. Over the years, I've got used to that. Sometimes they write wonderful things, sometimes they write what a fool you are. That's part of what it is to be in the public eye."

Filmography:

Whatever Works (2009)
Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)
Cassandra's Dream (2007)
Scoop (2006)
Match Point (2005)
Melinda and Melinda (2005)
Anything Else (2003)
Hollywood Ending (2002)
The Curse Of The Jade Scorpion (2001)
Small Time Crooks (2000)
Company Man (2000)
Sweet And Lowdown (1999)
Picking up the Pieces (1999)
Antz (1998) (voice)
The Impostors (1998) (uncredited)
Wild Man Blues (1998)
Deconstructing Harry (1997)
Everyone Says I Love You (1996)
Mighty Aphrodite (1995)
Bullets over Broadway (1994)
Don't Drink the Water (1994)
Manhattan Murder Mystery (1993)
Shadows and Fog (1992)
Husbands and Wives (1992)
Scenes from a Mall (1990)
Alice (1990)
New York Stories (1989)
Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989)
September (1988)
Another Woman (1988)
King Lear (1987)
Radio Days (1987)
Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)
The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985)
The Best of Candid Camera, Vol. 1 (1985)
Broadway Danny Rose (1984)
Zelig (1983)
A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy (1982)
Stardust Memories (1980)
Manhattan (1979)
Interiors (1978)
Annie Hall (1977)
America at the Movies (1976)
The Front (1976)
Love and Death (1975)
Sleeper (1973)
Play it Again, Sam (1972)
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex, But Were Afraid to Ask (1972)
Bananas (1971)
Take the Money and Run (1969)
Don't Drink the Water (1969)
Casino Royale (1967)
What's Up, Tiger Lily? (1966)
What's New Pussycat? (1965)