Who is Woody Allen?

Woody Allen, the American filmmaker who has had a career spanning over six decades, has announced to the Spanish outlet La Vanguardia that he will soon retire from cinema. The creator behind iconic films like Manhattan, Annie Hall, and Crimes and Misdemeanors told the newspaper that he wants to spend the remainder of his life as a man of letters instead. The 86-year-old is currently in Europe, where he is shooting the 50th film of his career, which will be a French-language venture shot in Paris.

Who is Woody Allen?

Born in New York as Allan Stewart Konigsberg on November 30, 1935, Woody Allen grew up in Brooklyn. Unlike the nerdy persona he portrays in his films, Allen was more focussed on baseball while at school than on studies. 

Also Read| Woody Allen, master filmmaker mired in controversy, announces retirement

Allen’s career began as a joke writer. As a teenager, he sent his jokes to Broadway writers, who were very impressed with his talent. The future Academy Award winner joined NBC Writer’s Development Program as a 19-year-old and began penning scripts for TV shows like The Ed Sullivan Show, Caesar’s Hour, and The Tonight Show.

From 1960, Allen began working as a stand-up comedian alongside contemporaries like George Carlin, Joan Rivers, and Lenny Bruce. His first written film, What’s New Pussycat? was made in 1965. Unhappy with how the film turned out, Allen chose to direct all of his subsequent films. The 1969 film Play it Again, Sam, a comedic take on the classic Casablanca, remains the only exception. 

Also Read| Wasp 22: Woody Allen’s last film

Allen has won numerous accolades for his filmmaking, including four Academy Award wins from 24 nominations. He holds the record for the highest number of nominations in the Original Screenplay category, with 16. The master filmmaker was honoured with a Career Golden Lion by the Venice Film Festival and an Honorary Palme d’Or by the Cannes Film Festival.

Despite his successes, Allen’s life and career have been mired in controversies. He was accused by former partner Mia Farrow of sexually abusing their adopted child, Dylan. Allen’s marriage with another of Farrow’s adopted children, Soo-Yi Previn, also raised eyebrows.

Also Read| ‘It’s my fault’: Mia Farrow reveals shocking details about Woody Allen, calls him ‘great regret’

Allen, notwithstanding the controversies, will be fondly remembered by film enthusiasts who have been able to separate the art from the artist. His last film, Wasp 22, will be a bittersweet goodbye to a master of his craft.