Woody Allen Embarking On Health Kick

The 79-year-old moviemaker is avoiding sweet and meaty treats because he is determined to extend his life span, even though his heavy-smoking father Martin Konigsberg lived until he was 100 years old.

Allen says, "Cholesterol will kill me and I'm trying to live long - so I've given up all the joys in life. Chocolate malts, spare ribs... All the things that really make life worth living, I can't have any more. You give them up because you have the illusion that if you do that you're going to live longer.

"My father lived to 100 and he smoked Chesterfields (cigarettes) every day and ate two eggs every morning. He also ate ribs and ice-cream!"