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, travel on Epstein's private jet to Palm Beach with Allen's family, 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. The archive also documents Epstein maintaining a direct mentoring relationship via text message with Allen's teenage daughter Bechet Allen, including offering to pay for college applications and attempting to influence her summer plans.

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, Katie Couric, Charlie Rose, and Chelsea Handler. Epstein's assistant Lesley Groff noted that "Woody Allen and Soon-Yi to commit to dinner on Thursday" was secured before inviting additional guests. During planning, Siegal described Epstein's residence as "one the largest single dwellings in New York...it's beautiful". Epstein expressed concern to Siegal that "andrew is not here to be interviewed by george... THIS is PRIVATE.. it will be uncomfortable", and Siegal reassured him: "I told George it's strickly social". The December 2, 2010 dinner proceeded with this group, and the Daily Mail later reported that Allen attended this event along with Prince Andrew. A media report forwarded within Epstein's network on December 7, 2010 confirmed the guest list as "Katie Couric, George Stephanopoulos, Charlie Rose, Woody Allen and Chelsea Handler" and revealed specific interactions: Allen "asked him for an invite to April's wedding" and "asked him how his ex-wife Fergie was". The following day, December 3, 2010, Katie Couric forwarded to Siegal a media inquiry from journalist Lloyd Grove writing "Help!!!!", and Siegal replied: "I just spoke Jeffrey and your office and they have more info. Jeffrey says to send an email saying, 'The dinner was private and off the record'... and leave it at that"—showing Epstein personally directed the media response strategy.

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. On September 4, 2013, Epstein hosted a dinner with "Woody Allen, Soon Yi, [redacted], Neil Gershenfeld, Jeff Koons & his wife, Justine, David Blaine", and Epstein forwarded photos and video from this "Neil-David Blaine & Woody Allen" dinner to Eva Dubin.

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. On May 14, 2014, Eva Dubin emailed Epstein: "Glenn says yes to the Woody Allen screening. Where and when?", to which Epstein replied: "We'd 530". On April 2, 2014, Lesley Groff organized a screening of Allen's film Magic in the Moonlight for "Julia, Jena, Karyna and Sue"—all young women associated with Epstein—at 575 Park Avenue. That same day, Karyna Shuliak wrote about attending: "I should make it hopefully, Jojo will pick me up from school"—indicating she was still attending school and being picked up by Epstein's staff to attend these screenings. On January 9, 2018, Shuliak invited Eva Dubin to "a screening of Woody Allen's new movie tomorrow at 2pm at 575 Park ave", though Eva couldn't attend because she had to "take Glenn to the doctor and then Maya has a basketball game". 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 attempted to arrange additional social events bringing Allen together with intellectual and media figures. On May 28, 2016, Epstein's staff planned a dinner: "Jeffrey will be having Woody Allen to his home... Noam Chomsky will also be joining the fun", and invited Charlie Rose, who was in London. On March 30, 2016, Rose was invited to dinner with Allen at Epstein's home but had a prior commitment. On August 23, 2016, Rose was again invited to an Allen dinner but "can't make dinner". These repeated invitations suggest Epstein sought to use Allen as social capital to bring together prominent figures from media, academia, and the arts.

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 from 1stdibs.com, and Epstein's financial manager Richard Kahn delivered a check by messenger the same day. The exchange reveals the payment flow: Soon-Yi had placed the order on her own credit card, then Allen's assistant forwarded the order receipt to Epstein with instructions to send a check made out to Woody Allen. The lamp had been "shipped to Soon-Yi Previn" and "billed to Soon-Yi Previn", then Epstein reimbursed the full amount plus shipping. This suggests a pattern of Epstein covering 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". On July 1, 2014, Epstein arranged for Karyna Shuliak and "3 assistants" to visit Allen's film set at Salve Regina College, with detailed logistics including helicopter transport.

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". Previn replied: "I don't understand your email". 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, after Epstein forwarded him the agenda for Tina Brown's "Women in the World Summit" opening April 12, 2018, which listed "Ronan Farrow, honorary female" among participants discussing male misconduct, including "Ambra Gutierrez" (who recorded Harvey Weinstein) and "Asia Argento". Krauss responded with dark humor: "Let's do a men of the world conference. Kevin spacey Bill Clinton al franken Woody Allen"—grouping men facing sexual misconduct allegations. Krauss replied to his own suggestion: "Enjoy".

Social Network and the Dubin Connection#

The correspondence reveals significant social overlap between Allen, Epstein, and Glenn and Eva Dubin. On February 15, 2013, Epstein emailed the Dubins inviting them to lunch at his Palm Beach house: "poppi, Larry Summers, his wife, Woody ALLen and soon yi will be at the house in palm beach tomororw for lunch around 230. why don't you bring whoever you want rony kids etc and come by?" Eva replied: "We would LOVE for you to come over any time here and bring Woody and his family and Larry as well if he is with you"—extending a direct invitation to the Allen family to visit the Dubin home. Glenn declined the February lunch: "we're running around tomorrow and have lunch plans but thanks for inviting us". As noted above, Eva coordinated Glenn's attendance at a May 2014 Allen screening, and Epstein forwarded dinner photos from the September 2013 Allen-Koons-Blaine event to Eva, showing her active participation in this social circle.

The Dubins appeared in publicist Peggy Siegal's August 2010 guest list for a William Astor dinner as "Mr. & Mrs. Glen Dubin (Eva) / LI/ KIDS/ 300/ BUSINESS/ 400/ HIGHBRIDGE CAPITAL/ GOTH/". This same guest list contained multiple entries tagged "WOODY"—including Dixon Boardman, Pepe Fanjul, Ralph Isham, William Koch, David Koch, Henry Kravis, Ian Snow, Peter Peterson, and Robert Pittman—suggesting Siegal had categorized certain elite figures as connected to Woody Allen's social circle in her database before the documented email correspondence began in October 2010. The guest list also included Ghislaine Maxwell, George Stephanopoulos, Katie Couric, Charlie Rose, and David Koch, confirming the overlapping social networks through which Allen and Epstein were connected.

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 assistants Lauren Cheung and Ginevra Tamberi (32 shared emails), 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. Her guest list database from August 2010 reveals she had already categorized certain prominent New Yorkers with a "WOODY" tag, suggesting pre-existing awareness of Allen's social circle.

Glenn and Eva Dubin formed a crucial bridge in the Allen-Epstein social network. Eva maintained independent communication with Epstein regarding Allen events, invited the Allen family to her Palm Beach home, coordinated Glenn's attendance at Allen screenings, and received photos from Allen dinners. The 2003 Vanity Fair profile of Epstein described Eva Andersson Dubin as "a doctor and onetime model" and Epstein's former long-term girlfriend who "moves up, not down, to friendship status".

David Karp, Tumblr founder, attended Allen film screenings as Epstein's guest with his girlfriend Courtney Loo. Karyna Shuliak (27 shared emails) frequently appeared in correspondence as an Epstein associate accompanying him to Allen-related events; notably, she was still attending school in April 2014 when being picked up by staff to attend Allen screenings. Other young women in Epstein's circle who attended Allen screenings included Jena, Julia, and Sue.

Charlie Rose was repeatedly invited to dine with Allen at Epstein's home on at least three documented occasions (March 2016, May 2016, August 2016) and attended the December 2010 Prince Andrew dinner. Artist Jeff Koons and his wife Justine attended a September 2013 dinner with Allen at Epstein's home. Magician David Blaine attended this same dinner. MIT professor Neil Gershenfeld was present at the September 2013 Allen-Koons-Blaine dinner. Linguist and political theorist Noam Chomsky was invited to dine with Allen at Epstein's home in May 2016. Director Julie Taymor dined with Allen and Epstein in September 2017.

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.

Lawrence Krauss, theoretical physicist, grouped Allen with other men facing sexual misconduct allegations in his April 2018 "men of the world conference" email to Epstein.

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. The Daily Mail article attributed the "cocktail party packed with young Russian models" description to "a lengthy profile of the financier in Vanity Fair magazine some years ago" by Vicky Ward, referencing a party attended by Prince Andrew. This was a separate earlier event from the December 2010 dinner Allen attended. The archive does not confirm Allen attended the earlier "Russian models" event described in the Vanity Fair profile.

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". Botstein forwarded to Epstein his exchange with Soon-Yi: "Dear Soon Yi, I will be on campus on the 19th. I am sure we can find a time to meet with Bechet and you". Soon-Yi wrote to Botstein: "Thank you so much for your offer to help our daughter, Bechet Allen, get into Bard College. I will take you up on the offer.;) Bechet is supposed to come to look at the college on Saturday, November 19". On January 10, 2017, Bechet wrote directly to Botstein: "I have been looking into a lot of colleges and decided that Bard is my first choice. It would be an honor to attend Bard this fall", and Soon-Yi independently forwarded Botstein's reply to Epstein with "FYI". 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.

The correspondence reveals Epstein maintained a direct text messaging relationship with teenage Bechet Allen. In iMessages exchanged with Bechet, Epstein discussed her career aspirations—she wrote "I think I'd want to build schools around the world for girls"—and Epstein responded with mentoring suggestions. Epstein offered to pay for college applications: "Applications filled out? Money sent? I pay if you prefer", though Bechet responded they were all filled out. Epstein requested personal drawings from her, sent her links to Interlochen art camp and Habitat for Humanity, suggested Skype calls, and sent Bard abroad exchange program links. When Bechet planned a Kenya trip with Habitat for Humanity, Soon-Yi communicated directly with Epstein about safety concerns, reporting: "Woody checked with the state department and they said originally they were warning people not to go but that it's been downgraded to an alert". These exchanges reveal an independent relationship between Epstein and the teenager, with Epstein attempting to mentor her educational choices and summer activities while maintaining direct communication via text and video calls.

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, Charlie Rose, Chelsea Handler
2. February 20, 2014 - Dinner with Epstein and Soon-Yi
3. May 1, 2013 - 2:30pm visit
4. September 4, 2013 - 7:30pm dinner with Neil Gershenfeld, Jeff Koons, Justine Koons, David Blaine
5. September 15, 2017 - 7:30pm dinner with Julie Taymor
6. January 30, 2018 - Lunch scheduled at Epstein's residence
7. May 4, 2015 - Thursday dinner at Epstein's home
8. April 6, 2015 - Calendar reminder for contact with Allen
9. Additional dinners referenced in 2010, 2013, and 2014 correspondence

Palm Beach: On February 16, 2013, Epstein's detailed schedule documented: "10:40am Woody Allen & family due to arrive Teterboro (Woody's assistant: Gini)... 11:00am Wheels up to PB with Karyna, Jena, Woody Allen, Soon Yi, Manzie, Nanny Morgan, Larry and Lisa Summers". This confirms Woody Allen, Soon-Yi Previn, their daughter Manzie, and a nanny all flew on Epstein's private jet from Teterboro Airport to Palm Beach, along with economist Larry Summers and his wife Lisa, and Epstein's young associates Karyna Shuliak and Jena. The return flight was scheduled for February 18, 2013. On February 28, 2013, Epstein's staff asked: "what did you do for plane snacks when Woody and Soon-Yi went to PB? JE is flying Bill Gates tomorrow and wants lunch on plane.. any recommendations?"—indicating the menu from the Allen family trip was used as a reference for the subsequent Gates flight. On February 15, 2013, the day before this trip, Epstein's schedule included a recurring reminder: "NYS Sex Off Registry requests updated photo be taken between March 26-May 5 in the VI, so be sure to request updated photo be sent to NYS Sex Off Registry"—showing active sex offender registration requirements during the same period as Allen's visit. Additionally, as noted above, Epstein invited the Dubins to join them for lunch at his Palm Beach house on February 16, 2013, with "Larry Summers, his wife, Woody ALLen and soon yi", though the Dubins declined.

Little St. James Island, New Mexico Ranch, Paris: No visits to these properties are documented in the archive.

Media Context and Public Knowledge#

The archive shows media coverage of Epstein's criminal history circulated within his network during the period of Allen's association. On December 7, 2010, five days after the Prince Andrew dinner Allen attended, a Daily Mail article was forwarded within Epstein's network that explicitly described Epstein as having "recently finished a jail term for soliciting prostitutes" and as a "man who was in prison last year for serious sex offences". This article named Allen as a dinner attendee. In June 2018, a Daily Beast article forwarded within the Epstein network described Epstein as "Weinstein 1.0" and explicitly named Woody Allen among his "famous friends". While no direct evidence of Allen acknowledging Epstein's criminal conviction appears in the correspondence, the extensive media coverage—including articles circulated to dinner guests and Epstein's active sex offender registration requirements during Allen's visits—make it implausible Allen was unaware of Epstein's legal history.