Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Woody Allen

Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to Woody Allen.

Woody Allen is a prolific American filmmaker, actor, writer, and comedian recognized for his extensive career spanning eight decades. He is highly acclaimed for his screenplays, receiving a record number of Academy Award nominations in that category. Allen's work has garnered numerous awards including Academy Awards, BAFTA Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and a Grammy Award. He has also been recognized with honorary awards such as the Honorary Golden Lion, BAFTA Fellowship, and Honorary Palme d'Or. Several of his films have been selected for preservation in the National Film Registry.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1959: Divorce from Harlene Rosen and defamation lawsuit

In 1959, Woody Allen and Harlene Rosen divorced. Rosen sued Allen for defamation due to comments he made during a television appearance after their divorce.

1976: Affair with Babi Christina Engelhardt begins

In 1976, according to Babi Christina Engelhardt, her eight-year affair with Woody Allen began when she was 17 years old.

1987: Testimony against film colorization

In 1987, Woody Allen testified before a Senate Judiciary committee against the colorization of films without the artists' consent, joining Ginger Rogers, Sydney Pollack, and Miloš Forman.

January 1992: Farrow discovers nude photographs of Previn

In January 1992, Mia Farrow found nude photographs of Soon-Yi Previn in Woody Allen's home, leading to legal action.

August 4, 1992: Allen visits children at Farrow's home

On August 4, 1992, Woody Allen visited the children at Mia Farrow's home in Bridgewater, Connecticut, leading to allegations of inappropriate behavior with Dylan Farrow.

August 1992: Allen and Previn relationship becomes public

In August 1992, Woody Allen and Soon-Yi Previn's relationship became public, causing tabloid headlines and late-night monologues.

August 1992: Allen denies being Soon-Yi's father or stepfather

In an August 1992 interview with Time magazine, Woody Allen stated, "I am not Soon-Yi's father or stepfather", and downplayed his relationship with her before it became romantic.

August 17, 1992: Allen issues a statement about Soon-Yi

On August 17, 1992, Woody Allen issued a statement saying that he was in love with Soon-Yi Previn, making their relationship public and sparking controversy.

March 1993: Yale-New Haven Hospital investigation concludes

In March 1993, a six-month investigation by the Child Sexual Abuse Clinic of Yale-New Haven Hospital concluded that Dylan Farrow had not been sexually abused.

June 1993: Judge rejects Allen's custody bid

In June 1993, Judge Elliott Wilk rejected Woody Allen's bid for custody and rejected the allegation of sexual abuse, but called Allen's conduct with Dylan "grossly inappropriate".

September 1993: State prosecutor declines to pursue charges

In September 1993, the state prosecutor announced that despite having "probable cause", he would not pursue charges against Woody Allen in order "to avoid the unjustifiable risk of exposing a child to the rigors and uncertainties of a questionable prosecution".

October 1993: Child Welfare Agency closes investigation

In October 1993, the New York Child Welfare Agency of the State Department of Social Services closed a 14-month investigation and concluded there was not credible evidence of abuse or maltreatment, and the allegation was unfounded.

February 1, 2014: Dylan Farrow's open letter published in The New York Times

On February 1, 2014, New York Times journalist Nicholas Kristof published a column with excerpts from a letter Dylan Farrow had written, restating the allegation against Woody Allen. Allen responded in an open letter, also in The New York Times, strongly denying it.

December 2018: Babi Christina Engelhardt's interview with The Hollywood Reporter

In December 2018, The Hollywood Reporter interviewed Babi Christina Engelhardt, who claimed to have had an affair with Woody Allen that began in 1976 when she was 17 years old.

2018: Moses Farrow publishes blog post "A Son Speaks Out"

In 2018, Moses Farrow published a blog post called "A Son Speaks Out," denying the abuse allegations against Woody Allen and recounting alleged physical abuse by Mia Farrow.

February 2019: Amazon Studios Drops A Rainy Day in New York

In February 2019, Amazon Studios dropped Woody Allen's "A Rainy Day in New York" and ceased financing films with Allen, leading to a lawsuit.

March 6, 2020: Publisher Cancels Autobiography Release

On March 6, 2020, Grand Central Publishing announced that it had canceled the release of Woody Allen's book, "Apropos of Nothing".

March 2020: Hachette cancels Apropos of Nothing

In early March 2020, Grand Central Publishing, a division of Hachette Book Group, announced that it would publish Allen's memoir, Apropos of Nothing, on April 7, 2020. Days later, after employee walkouts, parent company Hachette announced that the title was canceled and rights had reverted to Allen. On March 23, 2020, Skyhorse Publishing announced that it had acquired and released Apropos of Nothing through its Arcade imprint.

February 2021: Release of Allen v. Farrow Documentary

In February 2021, HBO released the four-part documentary "Allen v. Farrow" by Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering, exploring sexual abuse allegations against Woody Allen. The documentary received largely positive reviews, with some critics suggesting it could mark the end of Allen's career. Allen and Previn denounced the documentary as a biased 'hatchet job'.