How did Woody Allen get his start writing jokes for newspaper columnists?

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Woody Allen speaking into a microphone with hands raised beside his face during a press conference, against a red background. — Woody Allen American director Woody Allen attending a press conference for *Café Society* before the opening of the 69th Cannes film festival, 2016.

While still in high school, Woody Allen (born Allen Konigsberg) began his career by proactively submitting quips to various newspaper columnists. His most notable early success came from submitting these jokes to the nationally syndicated columnist Earl Wilson.1

This early initiative proved successful, and he soon transitioned into being paid to write jokes for professional entertainers, eventually leading to a prolific career in television writing and stand-up comedy.1