How did Woody Allen make himself the subject of his stand-up comedy?

Woody Allen established his stand-up comedy persona by crafting a distinct, recognizable character that many audiences perceived as an extension of his real-life personality. During his performances in Greenwich Village clubs in the 1960s, he presented himself as a neurotic, erudite, and wisecracking individual.12

This persona was defined by a collection of traits—including being phobia-ridden, pessimistic, and obsessed with mortality—while simultaneously maintaining a moralistic outlook and finding solace in art and love. By blending these existential anxieties with self-deprecating humor, Allen made his own perceived shortcomings and internal struggles the primary subject of his act. This approach of using a "neurotic Manhattanite" archetype became a hallmark of his work, later transitioning from the stage into his film career, where he frequently portrayed similar characters who were hapless or confused in their romantic and professional lives.1