Alan Alda is an American actor, writer, and director best known for his role as Hawkeye Pierce in M*A*S*H (1972-1983). At 89, he continues working despite a Parkinson’s disease diagnosis in 2015. Beyond acting, he founded the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science and hosts the Clear+Vivid podcast.
Alan Alda turned 90 on January 28, 2026, marking nearly seven decades in entertainment. Born Alphonso Joseph D’Abruzzo in 1936, he became one of television’s most beloved figures while quietly building a second career as a science communicator.
His journey from backstage at burlesque shows to the front lines of science advocacy reveals a man driven by curiosity as much as ambition.
From Burlesque to Broadway
Alda grew up surrounded by performers. His father, Robert Alda, was an actor and singer who created the stage name “Alda” by combining the first two letters of his first and last names. Young Alan spent his childhood in the wings of vaudeville and burlesque theaters, watching his father perform.
His mother, Joan Browne, struggled with paranoid schizophrenia throughout his childhood. He opened his memoir “Never Have Your Dog Stuffed” with the line: “My mother didn’t try to stab my father until I was six.”
At 16, Alda started performing in summer stock theater in Pennsylvania. He attended Fordham University, where he studied abroad in Europe during his junior year. In Rome and Amsterdam, he performed alongside his father on stage and television.
After college, the Cleveland Play House hired him under a Ford Foundation grant. He appeared in productions including “To Dorothy a Son” and “Heaven Come Wednesday” during the 1958-1959 season.
His Broadway debut came in 1959 with “Only in America.” Two years later, he appeared in “Purlie Victorious” opposite Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis. In 1964, his performance in “The Owl and the Pussycat” prompted hate mail for his onstage kiss with Diana Sands, an African-American actress.
The Role That Changed Everything
In 1972, CBS cast Alda as Captain Benjamin Franklin “Hawkeye” Pierce in M*A*S*H. The show followed a mobile army surgical hospital during the Korean War, balancing comedy with serious commentary on war’s absurdities.
For 11 years, Alda commuted from Los Angeles to his New Jersey home every weekend. He refused to uproot his family for a show he didn’t know would last.
During the first five seasons, MAS*H operated as a traditional service comedy. As the original writers left, Alda gained creative control. By the final seasons, he’d become a producer and creative consultant.
The show’s tone shifted. Political and social issues took center stage. The series is split into two distinct eras: the Larry Gelbart/Gene Reynolds comedy years (1972-1977) and the Alan Alda dramatic years (1977-1983).
His work earned unprecedented recognition. He received 21 Emmy nominations during the show’s run, winning five. He became the only person in Emmy history to win awards for acting, writing, and directing for the same series.
The finale aired February 28, 1983, to 125 million viewers. It remains one of the most-watched television episodes in American history.
Building a Film Career
Alda balanced his television work with film roles. In 1978, he appeared in “Same Time, Next Year” and “California Suite.” The following year, he starred in “The Seduction of Joe Tynan.”
In 1981, he wrote, directed, and starred in “The Four Seasons.” The ensemble comedy about three couples vacationing together became a critical and commercial success.
He directed several more films, including “Sweet Liberty” (1986), “A New Life” (1988), and “Betsy’s Wedding” (1990). His last directing credit came in 1990.
His friendship with Woody Allen led to roles in multiple films. He appeared in “Crimes and Misdemeanors” (1989), “Manhattan Murder Mystery” (1993), and “Everyone Says I Love You” (1996).
In 2004, he portrayed Senator Ralph Owen Brewster in Martin Scorsese’s “The Aviator.” Playing a corrupt politician opposed to Howard Hughes earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
That same year, he joined “The West Wing” as Republican Senator Arnold Vinick. Over 28 episodes, he played a fiscal conservative presidential candidate who loses to Democratic congressman Matt Santos. The role won him an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 2006.
Recent appearances include “Bridge of Spies” (2015), “Marriage Story” (2019), and “Ray Donovan: The Movie” (2022). In 2025, he made a cameo in Netflix’s “The Four Seasons” miniseries, a remake of his 1981 film.
A 68-Year Love Story
In 1956, Alda attended a dinner party at Fordham University. Arlene Weiss was there, attending Hunter College. When a rum cake fell from the refrigerator onto the kitchen floor, they were the only two guests who grabbed spoons and ate it.
“We did eat the rum cake off the floor and were inseparable after that,” Alda recalled. “But I was captivated by her even earlier in the meal when I heard her at the end of the table laughing at my jokes.”
They married on March 15, 1957, a year after meeting. The marriage has lasted 68 years.
Together they raised three daughters: Eve (born 1958), Elizabeth (born 1960), and Beatrice (born 1961). They now have eight grandchildren.
Arlene pursued her own successful career as a professional clarinetist, photographer, and children’s book author. She wrote over 15 books, including “Sheep, Sheep Sheep, Help Me Fall Asleep” and “The Last Days of MASH,” which she co-authored with Alan.
“My wife says the secret of a long marriage is a short memory,” Alda told People in 2025. “We both try to practice being there when we’re there: listening, answering, taking an interest.”
From Acting to Science Advocacy
In 1993, Alda became host of PBS’s “Scientific American Frontiers.” For 11 years, he interviewed scientists about their work, using his natural curiosity to make complex topics accessible.
“I was really trying to understand what the scientists were telling me about their work,” he explained. “That turned into a dynamic relationship, and they forgot about the camera and were concentrating on me, trying to get me to understand.”
When the show ended in 2005, he wanted to continue the work. He approached universities about teaching scientists to communicate better with the public. Most weren’t interested.
Stony Brook University said yes.
In 2010, Alda founded the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science. The center uses improvisation techniques to help scientists and medical professionals explain their work clearly.
“I thought it was mainly going to help scientists communicate with the public,” Alda said. “I began to learn it was making it easier for them to communicate with one another.”
The center has trained over 20,000 scientists and medical professionals worldwide. When President Obama launched the BRAIN initiative, nanoscientists and neuroscientists couldn’t understand each other. They argued for hours about the meaning of the word “probe.”
In 2018, Alda launched the podcast “Clear+Vivid with Alan Alda.” The show explores how people connect and communicate, featuring conversations with actors, scientists, writers, and public figures. The podcast has garnered over seven million downloads.
He also hosted “Science Clear+Vivid” with support from The Kavli Foundation, focusing specifically on scientific curiosity and discovery.
Living with Parkinson’s Disease
In 2015, Alda was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. He made the diagnosis public three years later on CBS’s This Morning.
The first symptom was unusual. He read an article by Jane Brody in The New York Times about acting out dreams as an early Parkinson’s sign. He recognized himself immediately.
“I had dreamed somebody was attacking me, and in the dream I threw a sack of potatoes at him,” he told AARP. “In reality, I threw a pillow at my wife.”
He asked his doctor for a scan. The doctor was skeptical—Alda had no other symptoms. But the scan confirmed Parkinson’s.
“A lot of people hear they have Parkinson’s and get depressed and panicky and don’t do anything, just hoping it’ll go away,” he said. “It’s not going to, but you can hold off the worst symptoms.”
He maintains an active exercise routine including boxing, walking, and biking. The boxing lessons come from a trainer with Parkinson’s therapy expertise.
At 89, managing the disease has become more demanding. “It’s gone from a part-time job to almost a full-time job keeping track of all these little solutions,” he told People in 2025. “But it keeps me always looking for the funny side.”
He also deals with prosopagnosia (face blindness), which makes recognizing people difficult.
Despite these challenges, he continues working. “Almost every day I’m finding a new way to do something,” he said. “It’s a little like a game. I’ve found whatever the little problem is, if I keep at it, I can eventually solve it, and then I feel like a million bucks.”
Arlene provides daily support. “I don’t have dexterity with my fingers the way I used to, so sometimes she has to tear a package open for me,” Alda explained. “She’s so good-natured about it. I’m always saying, ‘Thank you.'”
Author and Storyteller
Alda has written three memoirs, each exploring different aspects of his life and philosophy.
“Never Have Your Dog Stuffed: And Other Things I’ve Learned” (2005) chronicles his childhood through his early career. The title refers to a childhood incident when his father had the family dog stuffed by a taxidermist. The grotesque result taught young Alan that death can’t be undone.
The book opens with his mother’s mental illness and follows his journey through burlesque theaters, childhood polio, and the slow climb through acting ranks. It devotes just 16 pages to MAS*H, focusing instead on formative experiences and relationships.
“Things I Overheard While Talking to Myself” (2007) weaves together advice from public speeches with personal recollections about life and beliefs.
“If I Understood You, Would I Have This Look on My Face? My Adventures in the Art and Science of Relating and Communicating” (2017) explores his quest to learn better communication skills and teach others to do the same.
In 2008, he received a Grammy nomination for Best Audio Book, Narration & Storytelling Recording for “Things I Overheard While Talking to Myself.”
Awards and Recognition
Throughout his career, Alda accumulated an extraordinary list of honors:
Emmy Awards: Six wins from 34 nominations, including the unprecedented achievement of winning for acting, writing, and directing on MAS*H
Golden Globe Awards: Six wins from multiple nominations
Academy Award: Nomination for Best Supporting Actor (The Aviator, 2004)
Tony Award: Three nominations for The Apple Tree (1967), Jake’s Women (1992), and Glengarry Glen Ross (2005)
Screen Actors Guild: Life Achievement Award (2019)
Television Hall of Fame: Inductee
BAFTA: Two nominations
In 2021, he was named an AAAS Fellow, recognizing his contributions to science communication.
What Makes Alan Alda Different
Most actors build their legacy on performances. Alda built his on curiosity.
He could have retired after M*A*S*H ended. Instead, he spent 11 years hosting a science show. He could have relaxed into elder statesman status. Instead, he founded a center to teach communication.
When diagnosed with Parkinson’s, he could have stepped back. Instead, he launched a podcast and continues accepting roles.
“I’ve had a richer life than I’ve had up until now,” he said after his diagnosis.
His approach to marriage defied Hollywood norms. In an industry where relationships often implode under pressure, he and Arlene celebrated 68 years together. No scandals. No separations. Just consistent choice and effort.
“Why would I want to do that?” he asked when an interviewer suggested fame might tempt him to stray. “People make a promise to get married, stay married, live through thick and thin, and that when things get tough… a deal is a deal.”
He brought the same commitment to science communication. The Alda Center didn’t just teach scientists to use simpler words. It taught them empathy—to step into their audience’s shoes and understand what they needed to hear.
The Legacy Continues
Today, Alda remains active despite age and illness. He still works on projects that interest him. He still hosts his podcast. He still advocates for better communication in science and medicine.
The Alan Alda Center continues training thousands of scientists yearly. The methods developed there influence how medical schools teach communication skills.
His three daughters have pursued their own successful careers. Eve is a photographer and author. Elizabeth is a production coordinator. Beatrice is a filmmaker.
At 89, Alda represents something increasingly rare in entertainment: longevity without compromise. He built a career on curiosity, maintained a marriage through commitment, and faced illness with humor.
“It’s a way to have a good time under poor circumstances,” he said about managing Parkinson’s.
That philosophy—finding ways to thrive despite challenges—runs through his entire life story.
FAQs
What is Alan Alda doing now?
At 89, Alda continues working in entertainment and hosting his podcast “Clear+Vivid with Alan Alda.” He manages Parkinson’s disease through exercise and therapy while remaining active in science communication through the Alan Alda Center at Stony Brook University.
How long was Alan Alda on M*A*S*H?
Alda starred in M*A*S*H for all 11 seasons from 1972 to 1983, appearing in 256 episodes. He’s the only person to win Emmy Awards for acting, writing, and directing on the same series.
Is Alan Alda still married to his wife?
Yes. Alda and Arlene Alda married on March 15, 1957, and celebrated their 68th anniversary in 2025. They have three daughters and eight grandchildren.
What disease does Alan Alda have?
Alda was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2015 and made it public in 2018. He also has prosopagnosia (face blindness). He maintains an active lifestyle, including boxing, walking, and biking,g to manage symptoms.
What books did Alan Alda write?
Alda wrote three memoirs: “Never Have Your Dog Stuffed: And Other Things I’ve Learned” (2005), “Things I Overheard While Talking to Myself” (2007), and “If I Understood You, Would I Have This Look on My Face?” (2017).
What is the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science?
Founded in 2010 at Stony Brook University, the center trains scientists and medical professionals to communicate clearly using improvisation techniques. It has trained over 20,000 people worldwide.
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