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Woody Allen Facts

Woody Allen Facts
Woody Allen is an American comedian, writer, actor, and film director who began to build his career when he was still a teenager. He was born Allan Stewart Konigsberg on December 1st, 1935, in New York City, to Nettie Cherry and Martin Konigsberg. At the age of 15 Woody began writing jokes and when he was 16 he sent them to Broadway writers in hopes of selling them. He began using the name Woody Allen at this time. The co-author of Guys and Dolls, Abe Burrows, sent Woody's writing to Sid Caesar, Phil Silvers, and others which earned him a check. His jokes earned him an invite at 19 to NBCs Writer's Development Program. His career took off from there.
Interesting Woody Allen Facts:
Woody Allen's mother was a bookkeeper and his father was a waiter and jewelry engraver.
Woody Allen has a sister named Ellen.
Woody Allen's ancestry is Russian and Austrian. He is Jewish, and spoke German frequently as a child.
As a child Woody liked to play the clarinet and perform magic tricks.
When Woody began writing jokes at the age of 15 he was paid $200 a week through his agent David O. Alber who sold his jokes.
Woody Allen attended New York University for Motion Picture Production but failed in 1953 and again in 1954 at City College. His grades were poor and he missed a lot of classes.
Following his 1955 NBC Writer's Development Program he was offered a job in Los Angeles at The NBC Comedy Hour.
Woody Allen contributed to The Ed Sullivan Show, Candid Camera, and The Tonight Show early in his career.
Woody Allen was known to work up to 15 hours a day, writing, and it is estimated that in 1962 alone he wrote over 20,000 comic book jokes.
In 1963 Woody Allen appeared on the The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and hosted 17 episodes over the next 9 years.
In 1965 Woody debuted in Britain on The Woody Allen Show.
In 1966 Woody Allen began to write for Broadway.
Woody Allen's screenplay debut was the film What's New Pussycat in 1965.
Woody Allen directed What's Up Tiger Lily in 1966.
Early films that Woody Allen was involved in include Casino Royale (actor), Take the Money and Run, Annie Hall, Manhattan, and The Purple Rose of Cairo.
Woody Allan was romantically involved with Diane Keaton and later Mia Farrow, who he adopted and had children with.
In 1997 Woody Allen married Soon-Yi Previn, who was one of Mia Farrow's adopted children.
Woody Allen has won several Academy Awards, in categories for Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay.
Woody Allen has won 10 BAFTAs, which are the equivalent of the Oscars in the United States.
Woody Allen has won Golden Globe Awards, Directors Guild, Writers Guild, Saturn and American Comedy Awards for his work.
Woody Allen's humor is often described as satire, black comedy, self-deprecating, and observational comedy.
Woody Allen is also a jazz musician and plays most Mondays with his band at the Carlyle Hotel in Manhattan.


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