Woody Allen

Allen in 2009, photo by PrPhotos

Birth Name: Allan Stewart Koenigsberg

Place of Birth: Brooklyn, New York City, New York, U.S.

Date of Birth: December 1, 1935

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Woody Allen is an American comedian, actor, writer, director, playwright, and musician. He won the Academy Award for Best Director for Annie Hall (1977). His films also include Love and Death (1975), Hannah and Her Sisters (1986), and Deconstructing Harry (1997), among many others.

His parents, Nettie (Cherry) and Martin Koenigsberg/Königsberg, were both Jewish. Their families emigrated from Russia, Lithuania, and Austria. His paternal grandparents moved to England, then to the United States. Woody had a Bar Mitzvah ceremony.

Woody is married to Korean-born actress Soon-Yi Previn, with whom he has two children. Woody also has three children, including activist, journalist, and lawyer Ronan Farrow, from his previous relationship with actress Mia Farrow. His sister is producer Letty Aronson, who works on his films.

Woody’s paternal grandfather was named Isaac Koenigsberg/Königsberg (the son of Schmuel/Shmuel/Samuel Koenigsberg/Königsberg and Bella). Isaac was a Jewish emigrant, and was born in Russia, evidently in Königsberg/Kaliningrad. Schmuel was a Lithuanian Jew, the son of Movsha Konigsberg and Khana.

Woody’s paternal grandmother was named Jennie/Jannie Copplin. Jennie was also a Russian Jewish emigrant, evidently from Königsberg/Kaliningrad.

Woody’s maternal grandfather was named Leon Cherry/Cherrie/Scherry. Leon was an Austrian Jewish immigrant.

Woody’s maternal grandmother was named Sarah Hoff. Sarah was an Austrian Jewish immigrant.

Sources: Family history and religious background of Woody Allen – http://www.adherents.com

Genealogies of Woody Allen – http://worldconnect.rootsweb.ancestry.com
https://www.geni.com

Woody’s father on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org

Woody’s mother on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org