Woody Allen

Woody Allen walks at Piazza della Pace in Rome, Italy, during the filming of his movie, "The Bop Decameron," on July 25, 2011. "Bop Decameron" is a romantic comedy based on Italian poet Giovanni Boccaccio's Decameron -- a famous 14th-century collection of bawdy tales.

Allen is a filmmaker, playwright, comedian and author. His films range from drama to screwball comedy, many of which he wrote and acted in himself.

Actor and director Woody Allen speaks after he received the honorary doctorate of the University of Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, Spain, June 14, 2007.

Allen was born Dec. 1, 1935, and grew up in Brooklyn, N.Y. He started out at the age of 15 writing jokes and selling one-liners to gossip columns. He worked as stand-up comedian and directed his first film, "What's Up, Tiger Lily?" in 1966

Woody Allen and Diane Keaton are seen here in the 1978 film, "Annie Hall." The romantic comedy won four Oscars: Best actress for Keaton, best original screenplay for Allen and Marshall Brickman, best director for Allen and best picture.

Woody Allen plays his clarinet during a concert with the New Orleans Jazz Band, at the concert hall in Athens on Dec. 30, 2005.

Allen started playing clarinet as a child.

French first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy and actor Owen Wilson are seen in Paris on July 27, 2010, during the shooting of Woody Allen's movie, "Midnight in Paris."

The film is nominated for two 2012 Oscars: Best director and best original screenplay for Allen.

Woody Allen gives instruction to actress Scarlett Johansson on the first day's filming of "Vicky Christina Barcelona" in Barcelona, Spain, July 9, 2007.

Movie director Woody Allen stands talking to actors Anthony Hopkins and Lucy Punch on the set of of the 2010 film "You Will Meet a Dark Stranger" during filming in London, Aug. 13, 2009.

Actor-director Woody Allen arrives at the federal courthouse in New York on May 18, 2009. He agreed to a $5 million settlement in his lawsuit accusing American Apparel of using an image parodying him as a rabbi without his permission.

Director Woody Allen, French first lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy and actor Owen Wilson are seen in Paris on July 27, 2010, during the shooting of Allen's movie, "Midnight in Paris."

Keaton and Woody Allen in "Manhattan" (1979), the director's most passionate ode to New York City - and the women he loves there.

Woody Allen is seen here with Diane Keaton in his 1993 film, "Manhattan Murder Mystery." In the comical thriller about a couple of amateur sleuths investigating the mysterious disappearance of a neighbor, the two played as if Annie Hall and Alvy Singer were an "old married couple," with as much exuberance as their previous screen counterparts.

Diane Keaton is seen here in Woody Allen's Bergman-esque drama, "Interior" (1978), also featuring Kristin Griffith and Mary Beth Hurt.

Woody Allen's romantic comedy "Annie Hall" (1977) was a cinema landmark for countless reasons, including its wry, absurdist script and Allen's long-suffering character, while perfectly capturing the sensibilities of New York and L.A. But it would not have worked without Keaton's scintillating, ditzy and touching performance as Annie.

Diane Keaton and Woody Allen in "Sleeper" (1973).

A scene from Woody Allen's 1998 comedy "Celebrity." Here he is seen with some of the film's cast, including Leonardo DiCaprio.

Woody Allen stands near actor Jesse Eisenberg and actress Ellen Page on the set of "The Bop Decameron" at Campo de Fiori square in central Rome, Italy, on July 28, 2011.

Julia Roberts and Woody Allen in the musical romance, "Everyone Says I Love You" (1996).

Director Woody Allen speaks to actor Alec Baldwin on the set of "The Bop Decameron," the cult filmmaker's latest production, at Campo de' Fiori square in central Rome, on July 28, 2011.

Marion Cotillard and Owen Wilson in Woody Allen's "Midnight in Paris."

Director Woody Allen and actress Mia Farrow in 1986 in the film "Hannah and her Sisters."

The film took home thee Oscars: Best original screenplay, best actor in a supporting role and best actress in a supporting role. It was nominated in four other categories, including best picture and best director.

Woody Allen and Mia Farrow in an undated file photo.

Over the years, Allen frequently cast Farrow in his films. They had a 12-year relationship, but eventually split and had a custody battle over their kids. He married Farrow's adopted daughter Soon-Yi Previn, from her second marriage with Andre Previn.

Film director Woody Allen speaks to reporters after a meeting with child sexual-abuse experts and Mia Farrow on March 18, 1993 at Yale-New Haven Hospital. Allen said he was cleared of allegations brought by Mia Farrow that he sexually abused their 7-year-old adopted daughter Dylan.

Woody Allen, 1992

Diane Keaton and Woody Allen in a scene from the 1977 movie "Annie Hall" -- directed and written by Allen.

Woody Allen walks with his wife, Soon-Yi and their adopted daughters Benchet and Manzie.

Woody Allen takes his two children for a walk in Oviedo, Spain, on June 17, 2007.

Woody Allen is seen in his 1971 film "Bananas" about a New Yorker, who is dumped by his activist girlfriend. He soon travels to a tiny Latin American nation and gets involved in its latest rebellion.

Woody Allen poses beside a statue of himself dedicated to him by the city government of Oviedo, Spain, on Dec. 26, 2005. Also present are his wife Soon-Yi and his two children.

Allen had been married twice before -- first to Louise Lasser from 1966 - 1970 and then to Harlene Susan Rosen from 1956-1962.

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