Woody Allen

Diminutive, bespeckled and neurotic, Woody Allen would make anyone's short list of the most important (and funny) comedy directors of all time. A writing, acting and directing triple threat, Allen has been nominated for the Academy Award a total of 15 times and won three (for Hannah and Her Sisters and Annie Hall).

Born Allan Konigsberg on Dec. 1, 1935, in Brooklyn, N.Y., Allen was selling one-line jokes to gossip columns at the tender age of 15. After a successful career as a stand-up comedian, Allen began directing, writing and often starring in movies. What's New, Pussycat? (1965) marked Allen's movie-writing debut, and a year later he directed the spoof What's Up, Tiger Lily?

For years, Allen has managed to release one film annually, oscillating between stark dramas and brainy comedies chock-full of hilarious wordplay and incisive characterizations.

Filmography