Woody Allen

Woody Allen (born Allan Stewart Konigsberg, November 30, 1935) is an Academy Award-winning filmmaker, screenwriter, and actor known for films including Annie Hall and Manhattan. The Epstein archive documents 1,250 emails involving Allen or his assistants between 2010 and 2018, revealing a sustained social relationship with Epstein that included frequent dinners at Epstein's Manhattan townhouse, private film screenings, assistance with his daughter's college admission, and a White House tour arranged through Epstein's connections. Allen is married to Soon-Yi Previn, the adopted daughter of his former partner Mia Farrow, a relationship that became public in 1992 and drew widespread criticism. The correspondence shows Allen and Previn offering Epstein emotional support during periods of media scrutiny and reveals mutual commiseration about sexual misconduct allegations.

Background#

Woody Allen was born in the Bronx on November 30, 1935, and established himself as one of the most prolific American filmmakers of the late 20th century. His career spans more than 50 films, including Annie Hall (1977), which won four Academy Awards, and Manhattan (1979). Allen's personal life has been marked by controversy: he began a relationship with Soon-Yi Previn while in a long-term partnership with her adoptive mother, actress Mia Farrow, and married Previn in 1997. Dylan Farrow, Allen's adopted daughter with Mia Farrow, has publicly alleged that Allen sexually abused her in 1992 when she was seven years old—allegations Allen has consistently denied. Allen was never prosecuted in the case.

Allen's friendship with Epstein has been reported in major news outlets since the release of DOJ documents, with emails showing they were neighbors in Manhattan and dined together frequently. In recent interviews promoting his 2025 novel, Allen described Epstein as "charming and personable" and stated he attended dinners at Epstein's townhouse because "there were interesting people there."

Correspondence with Epstein#

The archive contains 1,250 emails spanning October 2010 through January 2018, with Allen or his assistants as senders in 569 messages and recipients in 670. Most correspondence was logistical—coordinating dinners, film screenings, and social visits—though substantive exchanges reveal mutual support during periods of negative media attention.

The relationship centered on frequent social gatherings at Epstein's Manhattan townhouse at 9 East 71st Street. In December 2010, publicist Peggy Siegal organized a dinner at Epstein's home for Prince Andrew, with Allen and Previn among the confirmed guests alongside George Stephanopoulos, Ali Wentworth, and Katie Couric. Epstein's assistant Lesley Groff noted that "Woody Allen and Soon-Yi to commit to dinner on Thursday" was secured before inviting additional guests. The December 2, 2010 dinner proceeded with this group, and the Daily Mail later reported that Allen attended this event along with Prince Andrew.

Allen and Previn dined at Epstein's townhouse on numerous documented occasions. A September 2017 dinner included Julie Taymor, with Epstein's assistant writing: "Jeffrey and Julie bumped into each other this morning on the sidewalk! Jeffrey invited Julie to come to his home for dinner tonight at 7:30pm..Woody Allen will be coming as well". In February 2014, Allen had dinner with Epstein and Soon-Yi. A May 2013 schedule shows "Woody Allen at 2:30" for a visit to Epstein's residence.

Allen regularly hosted private screenings of his films for Epstein and guests. In January 2018, Epstein viewed Allen's latest film at Allen's Manhattan Film Center screening room, bringing David Karp (Tumblr founder), Karp's girlfriend Courtney Loo, and Karyna Shuliak. Epstein attended a May 2014 screening of an Allen film, arriving late from a work commitment. In March 2014, Allen's assistant secured six tickets to the Broadway production of Bullets Over Broadway, Allen's musical, noting that "Woody and Jeffrey are good friends".

Epstein provided Allen with various personal favors. In November 2017, Allen's assistant forwarded Epstein a request for payment for a $3,143.50 brass floor lamp purchased for Soon-Yi Previn, and Epstein's financial manager Richard Kahn delivered a check by messenger the same day. The exchange suggests Epstein covered decorative purchases for the Allen household.

Epstein arranged access to Allen's film sets for his associates. In October 2017, Epstein requested that mathematician Misha Gromov visit Allen's film shoot, and Allen's assistant coordinated logistics for Gromov and an Epstein assistant to "meet up at 9am downtown then make their way" to the Bowery Hotel location, and later to a Central Park shoot where "They'll be in a horse carriage".

The correspondence reveals mutual support during periods of negative publicity. In September 2013, Epstein wrote to Previn about "comments regarding the tabloids", with Epstein's message reading "the dogs bark once again". In January 2018, Previn forwarded Epstein an article titled "IS WOODY ALLEN BEING UNFAIRLY BLACKLISTED?" and asked Epstein to "Tweet this to as many people as possible", to which Kathy Ruemmler responded "You don't tweet". The January 2018 exchange occurred during renewed attention to Dylan Farrow's allegations against Allen in the #MeToo era.

A January 2018 email from Epstein to a mass distribution list included Allen's name among a stream-of-consciousness list of contacts alongside references to scientific concepts and other Epstein associates. Physicist Lawrence Krauss wrote to Epstein in April 2018 proposing: "Let's do a men of the world conference. Kevin spacey Bill Clinton al franken Woody Allen"—grouping men facing sexual misconduct allegations.

Connections#

Allen's primary intermediaries with Epstein were Lesley Groff (467 shared emails), Epstein's longtime executive assistant who coordinated most social arrangements, and Allen's own assistant Lauren Cheung, who managed screening invitations and scheduling. Soon-Yi Previn corresponded directly with Epstein on personal matters and shared concerns about media coverage.

Peggy Siegal, the Manhattan publicist and party organizer, facilitated multiple social gatherings bringing Allen, Epstein, and prominent figures together, including the December 2010 Prince Andrew dinner. David Karp, Tumblr founder, attended Allen film screenings as Epstein's guest. Karyna Shuliak (27 shared emails) and Ginevra Tamberi (32 shared emails) frequently appeared in correspondence as Epstein associates accompanying him to Allen-related events.

Kathy Ruemmler, former White House Counsel under President Obama, facilitated the 2015 White House tour for Allen and Previn at Epstein's request and engaged with Previn's 2018 message about media coverage of Allen. Richard Kahn, Epstein's financial manager at HBRK Associates, processed payments on Epstein's behalf to Allen for the lamp purchase.

Leon Botstein, president of Bard College, received an introduction from Epstein to Allen and Previn regarding their daughter's college application, discussed further in Document References below.

Document References#

A court filing in Giuffre v. Maxwell included a 2011 Daily Mail article reporting that Allen was "a guest at a dinner thrown by Epstein and Maxwell packed with young Russian models" and that Allen attended the December 2010 dinner at Epstein's mansion when Prince Andrew was present, alongside other distinguished guests.

Epstein facilitated Allen and Previn's access to the White House in December 2015. In May 2015, Epstein asked Kathy Ruemmler: "Could you show soon yi the White House. I assume woody would be too politically sensitive?" Ruemmler replied: "I am sure I could show both of them the White House" but noted Epstein himself was "too politically sensitive" to attend. In December 2015, Epstein confirmed arrangements, asking Ruemmler: "did we organize woody allen at the white house for the 26th?" The visit occurred while President Obama was in Hawaii. News reports confirmed that Allen, Previn, and Ruemmler toured the White House together, with White House records showing their entry.

Epstein assisted with Allen and Previn's daughter Bechet Allen's college admission to Bard College. In November 2016, Epstein emailed Leon Botstein, Bard's president: "leon. the daughter of soon yi and woody allen, bechet allen, would like to consider bard for a college. could you be so kind as to coordinate a trip with soon yi". The New York Times reported that Bechet Allen subsequently attended Bard College and graduated in May 2021. A message to Epstein dated January 11, 2017, from the Woody Allen account stated: "I can't thank you enough for getting Bechet into Bard". Bard College maintained that the applicant was admitted on her own merit.

Allen's daughter Bechet used Epstein's private aircraft. In March 2013, Epstein's assistant asked: "Woody Allen's daughter wants to bring a friend along with her...her friend is 14 yrs old. Would it be ok for Bechet to bring her friend on your plane?" Epstein replied: "Yes tell Larry" (referring to pilot Larry Visoski). The March 2013 exchange occurred when Bechet was approximately 14 years old herself.

Visits to Epstein Properties#

Manhattan Townhouse (9 East 71st Street): Numerous documented visits and dinner invitations:

1. December 2, 2010 - Dinner with Prince Andrew, George Stephanopoulos, Ali Wentworth, Katie Couric
2. February 20, 2014 - Dinner with Epstein and Soon-Yi
3. May 1, 2013 - 2:30pm visit
4. September 15, 2017 - 7:30pm dinner with Julie Taymor
5. January 30, 2018 - Lunch scheduled at Epstein's residence
6. May 4, 2015 - Thursday dinner at Epstein's home
7. April 6, 2015 - Calendar reminder for contact with Allen
8. Additional dinners referenced in 2010, 2013, and 2014 correspondence

Palm Beach, Little St. James Island, New Mexico Ranch, Paris: No visits to these properties are documented in the archive. All recorded interactions occurred in Manhattan.