It’s often been said that a writer often puts himself or herself within the pages of their work. If this is true then filmmaker and screenwriter Woody Allen must have a lot of fears.

Turns out – he does.

Allen is now in his mid 70′s and continues to work on both his writing and film making, but there are a few things he insists on that don’t seem to be negotiable – like not using elevators.

In His Own Words

“I don’t like to go into elevators. I don’t go through tunnels. I like the drain in the shower to be in the corner and not in the middle.”

“It’s not that I’m afraid to die. I just don’t want to be there when it happens.”

“My one regret in life is that I am not someone else.”

“I was depressed…I was suicidal; as a matter of fact, I would have killed myself but I was in analysis with a strict Freudian and if you kill yourself they make you pay for the sessions you miss.”

“I’ve often said, the only thing standing between me and greatness is me.”

What Does He Fear?

The following fears have been attributed to Allen.

Cancer

Crowds

Small Rooms

Heights

Children

Deer

Dogs

Sunshine

Insects

Bold colors

Elevators

Tunnels

Peanut butter stuck to the roof of his mouth

It’s even been reported that is Allen never had to leave Manhattan he would be a very happy man.

A Life Based on Therapy?

There are some that believe Woody Allen’s life has consisted of ongoing therapy. That lifestyle has contributed to his ongoing commitment to characters that are neurotic and fearful.

On the other hand Allen often pokes fun at his shortcomings (reread some of the quotes above). Many times it is humor that helps bring us away from the seriousness of the things that trouble us most.

A Look Back

Born Allen Stewart Konigsberg, Woody apparently lived an unhappy childhood. His parents didn’t get along and his mother was overbearing and temperamental. He was expelled from the New York University film division, but used his neurotic humor as a means to begin a career in writing and stand up comedy. Allen has been romantically linked to six women, some of whom he married. He is also estranged from his son by former wife Mia Farrow.

Perhaps it is the unique and obvious struggle Allen has faced that has in many ways endeared him to an audience that relates to his characters who are less than perfect and utterly human.

Life Lesson

Perhaps we all need a Woody Allen in our life to demonstrate that maybe we’re not alone in the struggle. As bad as things seem there are always others who struggle more intensely than we do. It is even possible to conclude that we can in fact learn from our fears and help others along the way with what we’ve learned.

Like Allen we can allow humor to help us broach the topic of our fears and allow others to see hope in our lives.

“I am thankful for laughter, except when milk comes out of my nose.” – Woody Allen



“Comedy just pokes at problems, rarely confronts them squarely. Drama is like a plate of meat and potatoes, comedy is rather the dessert, a bit like meringue.” – Woody Allen