Today In History

WOODY ALLEN was born Allen Stewart Konigsberg on December 1, 1935, in Brooklyn, New York. At the age of 17 he legally changed his name to Heywood (Woody) Allen. Dropping out of New York University after receiving a failing grade in his filmmaking class, Allen began his career writing for television, most notably, for Sid Caesar’s Your Show of Shows. Building on his ‘neurotic New Yorker’ persona, Woody Allen was a stand-up comedian who then created roles for himself in his plays and films, including What's New, Pussycat? in 1965 and his Broadway debut Don't Drink the Water, in 1966. He made his directorial debut in 1966 with What's Up, Tiger Lily? His career took off with Take the Money and Run in 1969, followed by Bananas, Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex (But Were Afraid to Ask), Play It Again, Sam and Sleeper. The 1977 Annie Hall movie starring Diane Keaton earned four Academy Awards including best screenplay, best picture, and best director. Hannah and Her Sisters starring Mia Farrow earned Allen another Oscar (best original screenplay) and broke box-office records. Woody Allen’s great longtime career success has made him one of the most acclaimed, and recognized screenwriters, actors, directors, and comedians of his time.